The Norris J. Millet, Sr. Library (Central) will be hosting a “Book in a Jar” contest all month long to celebrate TeenTober.  TeenTober is a new, nationwide celebration hosted by libraries every October and aims to celebrate teens and the innovative ways teen services helps teens learn new skills and fuel their passions in and outside of the library.

“Computer classes” will be held on every Wednesday at 2 p.m.  Adults are invited to learn Microsoft Office procedures. Every Wednesday at 4 p.m., families are welcomed to learn the library’s databases with our Children’s Librarian, Trina Smith. “Storytime” will be held for children and their parents on every Thursday at 10:30 a.m. Each session will include stories, songs, rhymes, finger plays, and other activities. To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, professional Folklorico dancer, Javier Juarez from the Young Audiences of Louisiana Program, will present an interactive performance of dances titled, “Across the Border.”  Children of all ages are welcome to attend this event on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. Families are invited to celebrate on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 2 p.m. to play “Loteria” or Mexican Bingo.  Tweens and teens are invited to the monthly “Anime Club Meeting” on Monday, Oct. 21 at 4 p.m.  For more information, please contact the Central Library at 985-652-6857.

The Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library (Reserve) will have a Breast Cancer Awareness display for the entire month of October. Patrons will be able to pay tribute to those suffering, those who’ve succumbed, and those who are survivors by adding ornaments to a miniature tree.

Children ages 4 and older will be allowed to spell out words using the alphabets from the chosen word of the day.  This “Words on Words” program is designed to help children improve their vocabulary and will be held for the entire month of October.

“Walking for Your Health” will continued to be held on every Thursday at 10 a.m. for adult patrons.  Studies confirm that walking benefits moods by releasing natural endorphins, so join the Reserve Library for 30 minutes of walking to reduce stress and increase your self-esteem.  At this month’s “Morning Makers,” patrons will be making breast cancer awareness buttons. Join Mrs. Joseph on Tuesday, Oct. 22 at 10 a.m. for this great event. For more information, please contact the Reserve Library at 985-536-4107.

The Frazee-Harris Memorial Library (Garyville) will host “Drop In & Play,” every Tuesday at 10 a.m. Parents and their children are invited to come out for some play time and enjoy sharing legos, puzzles, and play-doh.  “Pink Ribbon Thursdays” will be held on every Thursday at 3 p.m. Patrons are welcomed to learn some important facts about breast cancer. “Pajama Evening Storytime” will be held on every Thursday at 5 p.m. for children ages 5 and up. Children are encouraged to come in their pj’s to hear sleepy time stories.  Adult patrons are invited to learn the basics and have all of their computer questions answered on Friday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. for the monthly “Tech Class.” For more information, please contact the Garyville Library at 985-535-6868.

The Roland Borne Sr. Memorial Library (Edgard) will host “Computer Classes” for adults on Mondays at 10 a.m. and Wednesdays at 6 p.m. Novice computer users who want to improve their skills are invited to take this 30-minute class and immerse themselves in the knowledge of communication. “Storytime” will be held every Wednesday at 5 p.m. for children, ages 5 and older. Tweens and teens are welcome to attend “Game Time,” every Thursday at 3:30 p.m. This program is designed for kids to put down their smartphones and tablets and play some classic board games, such as Jenga, Checkers, Candyland, etc. For more information, please contact the Edgard Library at 985-497-3453.

St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries will be celebrating Halloween at all four library locations.

The Norris J. Millet, Sr. Library activities will include:

• Apple Carving Shrunken Heads – Monday, Oct. 7 at 4 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)
• Painting Pumpkins – Thursday, Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. (Adults)

The Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library activities will include:

• Halloween Movie Magic – Every Saturday in October at 1:30 p.m. (Families)
• Halloween Make Shoppe – Monday, Oct. 14 at 6 p.m. (Adults)
• Halloween Picture Frame – Thursday, Oct. 17 at 5 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)
• Hairy Monster Eyeball Rings – Monday, Oct. 21 at 4:30 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)
• Halloween Cookie Haunted House – Monday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m. (Ages 5+)
• The Jumbies – Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)

The Frazee-Harris Memorial Library activities will include:

• Candy Guessing Jar Game – Monday, Oct. 21 through Wednesday, Oct. 30 (All Ages)
• Halloween Simply Paint – Monday, Oct. 28 at 4:30 p.m. (Ages 6+)
• Halloween Movie Matinee – Thursday, Oct. 31 at 4:30 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)

The Roland Borne Sr. Memorial Library activities will include:

• Pumpkin Paper Plate Craft – Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 3:30 p.m. (Ages 6+)
• Accordion Fold Paper Bat Craft – Tuesday, Oct. 8 at 3:30 p.m. (Ages 6+)
• Halloween Themed Mason Jars – Thursday, Oct. 10 at 2:30 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)
• Horror Themed Bookends – Wednesday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. (Adults)
• Paper Plate Spiders – Thursday, Oct. 24 at 2:30 p.m. (Tweens & Teens)
• Halloween Fun at the Library – All Day on Thursday, Oct. 31 (All Ages)

For a full list of all programs, please refer to our online calendar on our website, 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.

Keaston Poché, with the St. John Parish Library System, is a contributing writer to the L’OBSERVATEUR.