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LAPLACE — St. John the Baptist Parish Library has received a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) to host a family literacy program in LaPlace.

The program, “PRIME TIME FAMILY,” targets children aged 6 to 10 who may be experiencing difficulty with reading and their parents in an effort to foster a lifelong love of learning through reading, according to Trina Smith, children/outreach librarian and program coordinator.

PRIME TIME, a six-week series of reading and discussion programs, includes sessions on themes such as fairness, greed, courage, cleverness and determination. A discussion leader and a storyteller introduce parents to the benefits and pleasures of reading and discussing stories with their children. The sessions will be held every Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. from March 4 to April 8 at the LaPlace Library.

The program aims to expand participants’ understanding of reading through the use of children’s literature with substantial humanities content. It focuses on expanding the teaching of literature, history and cultural values. All parents and/or guardians are encouraged to participate, along with their children to make this event successful.

“PRIME TIME introduces families to the pleasures and benefits of reading together and the many resources and services of the public library,” said Smith. “We’re pleased to be working with the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities to bring this exciting family literacy program to the citizens of St. John the Baptist Parish.”

PRIME TIME programs are sponsored by the LEH, the National Endowment for the Humanities and the State of Louisiana. The LEH is a private, statewide, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information, please contact Smith at 985-652-6857, ext. 1501.