September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. The American Library Association’s annual campaign to encourage patrons to enroll for a library card began nearly 30 years ago.

Signing up for a library card at the St. John the Baptist Parish Library System is an easy process. Patrons who meet the criteria — such as being a resident of the parish, own parish property, work in the parish or enrolled in school within the parish — may apply for a card.

A library is a temple of learning, and a library card is the key that unlocks a treasure chest full of knowledge and information. Library card users have a multitude of privileges that they can take full advantage of with their cards, such as checking out books, e-books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, audiobooks and other materials.

Disney Pixar’s superhero family, the Incredibles, is teaming up with the American Library Association to promote the value of a library card. As honorary chairs, the Incredibles will remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is a great step toward a truly super lifestyle.

All branches of the library system will be participating in Library Card Sign-Up Month. “An Incredible Library Card Holder” program will be held at all library branches and a display of why library cards are so important will also be featured.

Please stop by or call your local branch to learn more about the festivities.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. This is a time where people recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.

Hispanics have had a profound and positive influence on our country through their strong commitment to family, faith, hard work and service. They have enhanced and shaped our national character with centuries-old traditions that reflect the multiethnic and multicultural customs of their community.

Today, 55 million people or 17 percent of the American population are of Hispanic or Latino origin.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, the Central Library will host a celebration at 6 p.m. Sept. 27. In this family oriented program, a craft will be made by any interested patron, and nachos and drinks will be served. At the end of the program, a piñata will be hung from the ceiling as a fun activity for all those in attendance.

Banned Books Week is celebrated Sept. 23-29. It is the national book community’s annual celebration of the Freedom to Read.

Hundreds of libraries and bookstores around the country draw attention to the problem of censorship by mounting displays of challenged books and hosting a variety of events.

Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. According to the American Library Association, more than 11,300 books have been challenged since 1982.

There were 311 challenges reported to the Office of Intellectual Freedom in 2017 and many more go unreported.

To celebrate Banned Books Week, the Edgard Library will host a Banned Book Week Crossword Puzzle for children ages 6 and up at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 25, a Mugshot event for tweens and teens at 3:30 p.m. Sept. 26 and an Adult Coloring Page program Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m.

There will be a multitude of other programs at each library branch for the month of September. For a full list, please refer to our online calendar at stjohn.lib.la.us, Facebook (St. John the Baptist Parish Library) or pick up a newsletter at any of our four branches.

I hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Also, don’t forget that St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries now have a Twitter and Instagram account. Please follow us and like us!

Kearston Poché is the administrative services coordinator for St. John the Baptist Parish Library. She can be reached at 985-652-6587.