The holidays are approaching and it’s the perfect time to wear that ugly Christmas sweater, spend time with family and friends, decorate your home and the Christmas tree, help the less fortunate, head to the library to pick up some good Christmas reads and enjoy wonderful programs.

Each library branch will be hosting a plethora of Christmas programs. The Norris J. Millet, Sr. Library (Central) will have a “Christmas Floating Teacup” craft at 2 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5 for adult patrons.  “Family Fun” will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, and a “Holiday Pajama Party” will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18 for kids of all ages. For more information, contact Trina Smith, Children’s Librarian, 985-652-6857.

The Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library (Reserve) will host a “Christmas Tree Decorating Contest” for adult patrons. The trees can be submitted from Dec. 2 to Dec. 4 and will be judged on originality, creativity, craftsmanship, and overall aesthetic appearance. The trees will be displayed in the library during the holiday season and a winner will be announced on Monday, Dec. 23. “Make Shoppe” will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 9.  Patrons will be making a “3D Christmas Floral Wall Art Piece.”  “Morning Makers” will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17.  Patrons are invited to create DIY Christmas Ornaments.  Registration is required for both programs so please call the library at 985-536-4107 to sign up. A “Family Movie Day” will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21. The movie “The Dog Who Saved Christmas” will be shown for patrons of all ages. Please come out to enjoy the movie and spend some time with your loved ones for the holiday season.  Tweens and teens are invited at 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 to create “Pom Pom Christmas Stockings.” Registration is required for this program.

“Simply Paint” will be hosted at the Frazee-Harris Memorial Library (Garyville) at 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 for tweens and teens. They will be painting a Christmas scene to commemorate the holiday. “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” will be shown at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23 for patrons of all ages. For more information, please call the library at 985-535-6868.

Children ages 6 to 12 are invited out to the Roland Borne Sr. Memorial Library (Edgard) to make “Rudolph Reindeer Candy Bars” on Tuesday, Dec. 3 and “Origami X-mas Trees” at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17. An “Ugly Sweater Contest” will be held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, December 18. Adult patrons are invited to wear their ugliest Christmas sweaters to be judged on creativity and originality. The winner will receive a small gift. Adult patrons can also enjoy some relaxation at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 19 for the “Christmas Coloring Page” program. It has been proven that coloring can be used as a stress relief and can help with better sleep so please join the Edgard Library for this event. Tweens and teens are invited at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 20 to make “Snowman Mason Jars.” For more information about any programs, please contact Carlos Diaz, branch supervisor, 985-497-3453.

Santa will be visiting each library during this holiday season.

• Central Library – Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 6 p.m.
• Garyville Library – Monday, Dec. 16 at 5 p.m.
• Edgard Library – Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 5 p.m.
• Reserve Library – Thursday, Dec. 19 at 5 p.m.

There will be a multitude of programs at each library branch for the month of December.  For a full list, please refer to our online calendar on our website (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.

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