January will be an exciting time at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday, the Garyville Branch is inviting children, ages 6 and up, to paint an image related to Dr. King’s special day. The program takes place at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 17. Pre-registration is required. For more information, call Elmira Duhe, branch supervisor, at 985-535-6868.

The Reserve Library will host an “MLK Make and Take Event” at 10 a.m. Jan. 19. The event will be held for the entire day. Children of all ages are invited to create something in remembrance of his life and legacy. For more information, call Shanel Morris at 985-536-4107. Please join us in honoring this extraordinary human being.

“Computer Classes” will be held every Wednesday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for adult patrons at the Central Library to instruct the student in the basic operation of certain computer components and successful usage of programs. Classes last for approximately an hour and are be limited to 10 attendees per session. Pre-registration is highly encouraged. Please call the Central Library at 985-652-6857 for more information.

“Excel Training Classes” will be held for adults at 6 p.m. Jan. 10 and Jan. 24 to teach Microsoft Excel in a fun, interactive, self-paced and social way. Call Amanda Alexander at 985-652-6857 to sign-up. Class space is limited to 12 people.

Tweens and teens are invited to learn how to turn any regular pair of gloves into a masterpiece at 6 p.m. Jan. 3. They are also invited back for a super cool “Anime Club” at 6 p.m. Jan. 10.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library, along with St. John Parish 4-H Office, invites 4-H members to join their “Robotics Club” meeting at 5 p.m. Jan. 3 at the Central Library. For more information, call Amanda Alexander at 985-652-6857.

The Reserve Library will host “Walking Into the New Year” at 10 a.m. every Thursday for adult patrons, who will walk/exercise for 30 minutes to improve or maintain their overall health.

Tweens and teens are encouraged to come out all month long to participate in International Brain Teaser Month. Activities will be done for the entire month, starting at 10 a.m. Jan. 2.

Children’s programs include the “Wee Readers’ Book Club” every Wednesday. On Jan. 2, 23 and 30, it begins at 10:30 a.m. and at 3:30 p.m. on Jan. 9 and 16.

The Garyville Branch will host “Tech Classes” at 11 a.m. Jan. 4 for adult patrons and on Jan. 28 for tweens and teens. Patrons can learn the basics, such as setting up an email account or learning simple Microsoft Office programs. Adult patrons are also invited at 3:15 p.m. Jan. 31 to create “Glass Candy Jars.”

Children’s programs include “Simply Paint,” which starts at 4:30 p.m. Jan. 3. Children, ages 6 and up are invited to participate. Children, ages 1 to 4, are welcome to join the Garyville Library staff for “Drop In and Play.” This program will be held on every Tuesday in January at 10 a.m. It is designed for parents and their children to enjoy playing time by sharing Legos, puzzles and play-doh.

The Edgard Library will be celebrating “Sci-Fi Day” Jan. 2. Adult patrons are welcome to spend the day at the library reading classic Sci-Fi novels.

Computer classes will be held for adults on every Monday at 10 a.m. and every Wednesday at 6 p.m. Adults are also invited out to color intricate “Winter Bookmarks” at 4 p.m. Jan. 16.

Story time takes place every Wednesday at 5 p.m. Parents and caregivers, please bring your children to enjoy great stories and crafts.

Children, ages 5 and up are invited to the “Winter Hats” program, which takes place at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 8 and the “Paper Roll Penguins” program at 3:30 p.m. Jan. 15. For more information, call 985-497-3453.

For a full list of all programs, please refer to our online calendar on our website, Facebook (St. John the Baptist Parish Library) or pick up a newsletter at any of our branches. I hope you all can attend some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Also, all libraries will be closed for the Christmas holiday on Monday (Dec. 24) and Tuesday (Dec. 25). All locations will open at 9 a.m. Wednesday (Dec. 26).

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