#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts continues the hauntingly spectacular Lost Bride Trilogy with book two, The Mirror.

When Sonya MacTavish inherits the huge Victorian mansion on the coast of Maine, she has no idea that the house is haunted. The footsteps she hears at night, the doors slamming, the music playing, are not figments of her imagination. In her dreams she sees glimpses of the past. In the present she finds portraits of brides. And when she has visions of an antique mirror, she is drawn to it, sensing it holds dark family secrets.

Then one night the mirror appears and Sonya glides through this looking glass, into the past–and sees a bride murdered on her wedding day, the circle of gold torn from her finger. It is a scene that will play out again and again–a centuries-old curse that must be broken–and a puzzle she must solve if there is any hope of breaking the curse.

And for our mystery lovers…

From the #1 bestselling author of The Thursday Murder Club Series

A brand new mystery. An iconic new detective duo. And a thrilling new murder to solve . . .

Steve Wheeler is enjoying retired life. He still does the odd bit of investigation work, but he prefers his familiar routines: the pub quiz, his favorite bench, his cat waiting for him at home. His days of adventure are over. Adrenaline is daughter-in-law Amy’s job now.

Amy Wheeler thinks adrenaline is good for the soul. Working in private security, every day is dangerous. She’s currently on a remote island protecting mega-bestselling author Rosie D’Antonio, until a dead body and a bag of money mean trouble in paradise. So she sends an SOS to the only person she trusts . . .

As a thrilling race around the world begins, can Amy and Steve outrun and outsmart a killer?

Solving murders. It’s a family business. 

Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024

LOUISIANA PUBLIC LIBRARY USAGE CONTINUES TO CLIMB
Visits, programs, and Wi-Fi usage grown by double digits in 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Public libraries in Louisiana recorded more than 10 million visits in 2023, marking double-digit growth over the prior year, newly released figures show, as libraries increased the number of programs offered, and the public used more Wi-Fi.

The State Library of Louisiana reported the numbers in the recently released 2023 edition ofPublic Libraries in Louisiana: Statistical Report. Sixty-seven of the 68 public library systems in the state provided data for the report.

“It’s really no surprise to see another year of growth for our public libraries. They offer some of the best services to the public, and people know that. That’s why they come back day after day,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “It’s always great to see this confirmed by the State Library, which does so much to make sure things keep progressing.”

In-person visits to the 333 public library locations and 28 bookmobiles across the state have continued to rebound after stay-at-home orders were put in place during the pandemic. In 2023, Louisiana’s public libraries recorded 10.4 million visits, up from 9.2 million the prior year.

Patrons borrowed items 39.8 million times in 2023. Of those loans, 6.6 million were for e-books. Library collections around the state grew to 26.6 million print and electronic items, an increase of almost 12 percent from 2022.

Meanwhile, use of electronic resources also continued to grow, the report shows, with patrons using Wi-Fi 5.6 million times, an increase of 19 percent from the prior years.

The report also notes that:

• There were 2.3 million library card holders in Louisiana in 2022, just more than 50 percent of the state.
• Librarians answered 2.6 million reference questions in person and online.
• Three-million people attended more than 91,000 in-person and live virtual events hosted by public libraries.
• Electronic databases were accessed 21.6 million times by library card holders.
• More than 70,000 items were borrowed for patrons by their home library from another library through the Interlibrary Loan System.

“It’s always great to confirm what we believe – the public still appreciates what their local library offers,” said State Librarian Meg Placke. “It is easy to discount libraries in this day and age, but the services they offer are more than just books.”

“There’s no better feeling collecting the data for this document every year and seeing growth,” said Associate State Librarian Michael Golrick, who compiles the annual report. “I know the final product is especially welcome by local libraries around Louisiana. They know their hard work is paying off.”

A complete copy of the 2023 statistical report and previous year’s editions can be found on the State Library’s website.

A new holiday enemies-to-lovers romance from USA Today bestselling author Meghan Quinn.

Every Kringle in Kringletown celebrated Christmas a lot.

But Cole Black on Whistler Lane, unfortunately, did not.

As his fellow citizens decorate their quaint town, brimming with carols and glad tidings, Cole wants nothing more than to hibernate the winter away. But his dreary plans are thwarted when his Christmas nemesis, Storee Taylor, moves in next door to care for her Aunt Cindy. Immediately, the new neighbor turns his life into a real nightmare before Christmas, especially when she decides to enter the town Christmas Kringle contest in honor of Cindy. And better yet, Storee is determined to win.

Over Cole’s dead body, she will. With help from his friend Max, Cole decides to enter the competition as well, to beat Storee at her own game by pretending that this hometown grump’s heart has grown three sizes this season and he’s fallen for the girl next door. And unfortunately for Storee, she has to follow his lead to have a chance at the Christmas Kringle title.

But the competition isn’t the only thing that heats up. Cole and Storee’s fake relationship becomes very real, and before they know it, they’re attempting to hide it from Aunt Cindy. Things get complicated, the competition gets tough, and all it takes is one single night for someone to steal it all…

AND FOR YOUR SWEET TOOTH…

Bake your best batch yet with 100+ holiday cookie recipes from the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen that will come out perfect every time

There’s nothing better than a warm-from-the-oven cookie, especially during the holidays. The experts at the Good Housekeeping Test Kitchen bake a thousand delightfully festive holiday cookies every year making sure they’ll all turn out perfectly in any home kitchen.

This special recipe collection offers a crunchy or chewy, or chocolatey cookie for everyone and it will inspire you to take your own baked goods to the next level! Inside, you’ll find-

• 100 cookie recipes perfect for every occasion-from small to big batches
• Good Housekeeping favorites like Linzer Stars, Holiday Spritz Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Cookies, Fruitcake Crisps and more
• The secrets of hosting the ultimate cookie swap, including wrapping and shipping hacks
• Fun and entertaining info on traditional holiday cookies around the world
• Helpful decorating tips, like how to flood icing, creative flourishes for gingerbread houses

Whether you’re baking a small batch for the family, a big batch for a cookie exchange, or simply putting a few out with milk for Santa, these cookies will make your holiday festivities a little sweeter.

NOTICE OF A PUBLIC MEETING

EVANGELINE PARISH

LIBRARY BOARD OF CONTROL MEETING AGENDA

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 2024 @ 4:00 PM

Ville Platte Main Library – Meeting Room

916 West Main Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586

Notice: This meeting will be live-streamed via our new YouTube channel:

www.youtube.com@evangelineparishlibraryboard

If you have a disability, please notify us for accommodations ahead of time at 337-363-1369

or email Emily Fontenot @ [email protected]

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

1. Old Business
2. Update on the progress of the new Basile library project.

1. New Business
2. Update on new technology:  Sophos, upgrading computers and phone system, new smoke & entry alarms: 
   1. Review the new upgraded phone service for the library system provided by Information Solutions systems (ISS)
   1. Review updated security camera quotes: Invision, Electronic Protection Services, Acadiana Security. Grant the award.
3. Update on new storage unit & mower
4. Update on the hours of operation at the Main library during the Daylight Savings period.
5. Approval 2025 Holidays – see attached
6. Set dates for the 2025 Fine Free periods
7. Set meeting dates for 2025

1. Reports
2. Financial Report – Review proposed budget for 2025
3. Facilities Report 
4. Outreach Report

• Adjournment  

Next Board Meeting _______________ @ 4 pm