The main library and all branches will be closed today due to weather. Our policy is to follow the decision of the school board on closure decisions. We anticipate resuming our regular hours tomorrow.

The library Board of Control will meet on Monday, January 22, 2024 at the main library for their first meeting of the new Year. They will meet at 3 pm for a committee meeting to review plans for the new Basile library and then at 4 pm for the general board meeting. Agendas are posted. The public is invited. This year all of the libraries around the state are required to implement new policies regarding Act 436, initially known as SB7, which establishes a process by which people can request a review of library material accessible to minors. It also places restrictions on certain library materials deemed ‘explicit’ by the state. This February we will be re-registering every patron from the age of 0 to 17 to get permission by the parents or guardians to make the decision to either restrict their library card check-out access or not to restrict the items that they can check out. We will share more information soon. Any questions can be answered by our staff at our main library and the branches around the parish. 

Reminder: The main library and its branches around the parish are supporting the “Keep Louisiana Beautiful” campaign to make litter clean up supplies readily available for check out at local libraries. Now use your library card to check out a cleanup kit, which includes a safety vest, grabber, a trash bag, and instructions on how to conduct your cleanup. This program provides the perfect opportunity for students to get service hours for school. It’s also a great hands-on way for families, small homeschool groups, youth groups, and scouts to care for their neighborhood.  Keep Louisiana Beautiful is an anti-litter and community improvement non-profit organization focused on achieving a clean and beautiful Louisiana through education, enforcement, public awareness, and community engagement. Keep Louisiana Beautiful is affiliated with Keep America Beautiful and is comprised of a statewide network of 44 Community Affiliates and 10 University Affiliates. Learn more at www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

Visit the Facebook page of your favorite library branch to see information about programs unique to them. Also, visit our website www.evangelinelibrary.org for updates. You can always call the main library @ 337-363-1369 or send an email to [email protected] for more information and never forget that libraries do change lives…. even in the cloud! Suzy Lemoine.

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING

LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL MEETING AGENDA

MONDAY, JANURARY 22, 2024

3:00 pm Committee Meeting – New Basile Library

4:00 pm Board of Control Meeting

Ville Platte Main Library

916 West Main Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586

(If you have a disability, please notify us ahead of time for accommodations)

1. Opening Business

1. Call to Order, Prayer, Pledge of Allegiance
2. Roll Call
3. Approval/Amendment of Agenda
4. Approval of Minutes from Previous Meeting
5. Public Comments on Agenda Items

1. Old Business
2. Introduction and ratification of new employees: Heidi Shepherd and Madeleine De Francillon. Their start date was January 1, 2024

1. New Business

1. Election of officers
2. Report from the Basile Building committee
3. Acknowledgement of the retirement of Ruth Stanley after 20 years of service.
4.  Update on the roof claim at the main library. Warranty is in place until 2033
5. 2024 training requirements for Board members: Cyber Security, Sexual Harassment Prevention & Ethics
6. 2024 Spring Book Fest is slated for Saturday, May 4, 2024
7. Discuss plans to expand the program rooms of the Turkey Creek and Pine Prairie branches in 2024

1. Reports

1. Financial Report
2. Facilities Report
3. Outreach Report

• Next Board Meeting is March 11, 2024 @ 4 pm

    vi.          Adjournment  

COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA

MONDAY, JANURARY 22, 2024

3:00 pm NEW BASILE LIBRARY BUILDING COMMITTEE

1. Call to order
2. Update from Attorney Jacob Fuselier about the possible donation of property near the building site that is owned by the town of Basile  
3. Discuss an interest in purchasing property in the area of  the building site owned by Arthur B. Hollingsworth. Size: 50 x 100’ with 2 buildings
4. Update on the architectural design of the building
5. Adjourn

The main library and all branches will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday (1/16 & 17/2024) due to severe, and dangerous cold weather. It is our policy to follow the closure decisions of the Evangeline Parish School Board. We anticipate re-opening around the parish on Thursday, 1/18/24.

In recognition of the Martin Luther Kin, Jr. holiday, the main library and all branches will be closed tomorrow, Monday, January 15, 2024.

 On Tuesday, January 16^th , we start the morning off at 10 am with a FREE Medicare 101 Class conducted by Tony Palumbo & Tanya Luzan. Then at 1 pm is our usual French & Coffee program which will be followed by a Hospice 101 & Volunteer opportunity program at 3 pm, hosted by the Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care.  

Wednesday, January 17^th we will offer our FIRST main library ADULT CHAIR EXCERISE CLASS at 10:30 am. Please share this good news! Our Pine Prairie, Basile Mamou and branch libraries have been offering this chair exercise class for a few months to folks who live in those areas and the classes have been well attended. Please share this GOOD NEWS! 

Saturday, January 20^th at 9:30 am, the main library will host the first meeting of the Evangeline Genealogical and Historical Society. Their guest speaker is Donna D. Johnson and Cathy Lemoine Sturgel. Their topic is “Solving the Mystery of Louisiana Demourelle Ancestry”. New members are always welcome. Please visit the Facebook page of your favorite library branch to see information about programs unique to them.

Early Notices: The library Board of Control will meet on Monday, January 22, 2024 at the main library for their first meeting of the new Year. They will meet at 3 pm for a committee meeting to review plans for the new Basile library and then at 4 pm for the general board meeting. Agendas will be posted. The public is invited. This year all of the libraries around the state are required to implement new policies regarding Act 436, initially known as SB7, which establishes a process by which people can request a review of library material accessible to minors. It also places restrictions on certain library materials deemed ‘explicit’ by the state. This February we will be re-registering every patron from the age of 0 to 17 to get permission by the parents or guardians to make the decision to either restrict their library card check-out access or not to restrict the items that they can check out. We will share more information soon. Any questions can be answered by our staff at our main library and the branches around the parish. 

Visit the Facebook page of your favorite library branch to see information about programs unique to them. Also, visit our website www.evangelinelibrary.org for updates. You can always call the main library @ 337-363-1369 or send an email to [email protected] for more information and never forget that libraries do change lives…. even in the cloud! Suzy Lemoine.