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With the turning of the page on a new calendar year, most people decide to make New Year’s Resolutions. The first day of a new year brings with it a renewed state of mind to accomplish wholesome goals, such as losing weight, becoming more organized and spending quality time with friends and family, just to name a few worthwhile promises.

At the library, a promise one person could make is to become a more voracious reader. Reading is not only fundamental, but essential to accomplishing attainable goals. The library has a plethora of books—in a wide variety of formats, such as audiobooks, e-books and Playaways at your fingertips. Please check out one or all four of our branches to see what we have to offer.

Virtual programming is still being offered on our social media platforms for the month of January. The Norris J. Millet, Sr. Library will be hosting programs for children, tweens and teens and adults. Children, ages 5 and up, can participate in a “LEGO Art Challenge” running from Jan. 4 – 29. LEGO kits can be picked up from the Norris J. Millet, Sr. Library to build a creation at home. A picture of the finished product can be sent to our Children’s Librarian Trina Smith, at tcsmith@stjohn.lib.la.us, to be uploaded on our website and social media platforms for all to see. Children, from birth to age 11, will be introduced to new and amazing books bi-weekly during our “Book Sharing” program. All books will be available for checkout at all four of our library branches. Learn how to make fake snow and a candy gum drop structure during our “Winter Boredom Buster” programs. Children, ages 5 and up, will be given step by step instructions on how to make both crafts from the comforts of their own homes. “Story Time” will be held for children, ages 1 and up, every Thursday on Facebook. This weekly program is a time for young children and their parents or caretakers to interact in a comfortable setting. Each session will include stories, songs, rhymes, finger plays and other activities. “Spanish Storytime” will also be offered on every second Wednesday of each month. On every second and fourth Friday of each month, our “First Chapter Fridays” will be hosted. Our Children’s Librarian will read the first chapter of a different, high-interest book. An Active Listening Form will be attached to the post so patrons can download to provide feedback about the book. Once the form is completed, it can be emailed to tcsmith@stjohn.lib.la.us, and a Certificate of Participation and Goodie Bag will be sent to everyone who participated.

Tweens and teens are invited to participate in a STEM related craft monthly on Facebook during our “Find Out Friday” segment. They can also create a craft from the comfort of their homes for our “Smart Art” program. Most supplies are provided to complete this project. Please contact Rona Joseph at 985-652-6857, ext. 1502 to reserve a kit and choice of branch for pickup. Kits will be available on Mondays and Tuesdays before the program.

Adult patrons are invited to come and travel the Southern USA with us! Pictures and information on travel destinations will be presented in a video format on our social media platforms. Popular sightseeing sites, food, restaurants and other activities for these five cities will be provided: San Antonio, Texas, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, Memphis, Tennessee, Eureka Springs, Arkansas and Williamsburg, Virginia. For more information, please call Marilyn Scott at 985-652-6857. On Thursday, Jan. 14, there will be a blood drive for any willing participants. The Blood Mobile will be parked in our parking lot from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please join us to help save a life.

January is Cervical Cancer Awareness Month! Cervical Cancer Awareness Month is a great time to join in on the conversation about how yearly pap tests and the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines can help prevent cancer. Karen Moore, a nurse from the St. John the Baptist Parish Health Unit, will provide details about cervical cancer on our social media platforms. Kevin Travis, library associate at the Norris J. Millet, Sr. Library will also create a video about symptoms, treatments and ways to prevent cervical cancer on our social media platforms. For more information, call 985-536-4107 or 985-652-6857.

The Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library (Reserve) will host a “New Year Lantern Craft” for the entire month of January. Children of all ages are invited to pick up a grab and go bag to participate. Videos will be created monthly on all things science during our “Sixty Seconds of Science” program. This month’s topic will be Fireworks. Videos showcasing interesting books that our library system has to offer will also be featured on our social media accounts. Olivia Boudreaux, library assistant at the Leroy D. Williams Memorial will provide information for both programs. Join us on our social media accounts to interact with a video that will give you examples of ways to de-stress. The first step is to recognize when you’re stressed and become aware of what calms you. Start by taking it one day at a time. For more information, call Lillian LeBlanc at 985-536-4107.

The Frazee-Harris Memorial Library (Garyville) will host three “Grab and Go” programs for the month of January. Children, ages 8 and up are invited to make “New Year Noise Makers,” “Snowman Windsocks” and “Paper Plate Penguins.” For more information about these crafts, please call 985-535-6868.

The Roland Borne Sr. Memorial Library (Edgard) is temporarily closed for maintenance but will be re-opening soon. A “StoryWalk” will be located at the Juan Anthony Joseph Memorial Park from Monday, Jan. 25 to Thursday, Feb. 25 for everyone to enjoy. For more information, please 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 interact with some of the spectacular programs offered at St. John the Baptist Parish Libraries.

Also, all libraries will be closed for the New Year holiday on Thursday, Dec. 31 and Friday, Jan. 1. Have a wonderful holiday!

 

For a full list of programs, please refer to our online calendar on our website (stjohnlib.com), Facebook (St. John the Baptist Parish Library), Instagram (stjohnparishlib), Twitter (stjohnlib4) or pick up a newsletter at any of our four branches. Kearston Poche’ can be reached at 985-652-6587.