We will try to open at the regular time, but some branches may have delayed openings due to weather and road conditions.  Also, if pipes are broken, branches may not be able to operate Monday.  Please listen to KVPI radio in the morning for more information.

This half day course is designed to introduce students to the Windows Operating System.  Learn the basic organization of files, folders, etc.  Also learn about WordPad, Notepad, Paint, Windows Media Player, Calculator, and more.  Learn how to keep the Windows Operating System safe and how to get help.  (Note: You should have some hands on computer experience before taking this course.)  Classes are offered FREE by the State Library through a BroadbandUse grant as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  To sign up, please go to lajacc.state.lib.la.us/training or call 888.487.2700.

The class schedule is as follows.  At each location you have the option of taking the course from 9 to 12 or from 1 to 4.

• Pine Prairie Prescott Branch, Monday Jan. 10th
• Basile Branch,  Tuesday Jan. 11th
• Mamou Branch, Wednesday, Jan. 12th
• Turkey Creek Branch, Thursday, Jan. 13th
• Main Library Ville Platte, Friday, Jan. 14th

You can now download audiobooks and ebooks for FREE from our library site.  This is a service designed for use OUTSIDE the library, and to use it Evangeline Parish residents will need the following:

•  An Evangeline Parish Library card in good standing,
•  Access to a computer that is not an Evangeline Parish Library public access computer,
• Internet access that is not part of the Evangeline Parish Library system,
• An email account for notifications.

Although it can be complicated the first time you use the service, once you get started it will give you access to many books and audiobooks any time, whether the library is open or closed.  It will also allow you to transfer items from your computer to mobile devices and enjoy them anywhere once they are downloaded.

Items will check out for 7 or 14 days, depending on the item.  The item vanishes at the end of the loan period, so there are never any late fees on this service.

Because this is a consortium project, items may be checked out by residents of other parishes within the consortium.  If an item is not currently available, you can place a hold request on it.

Please note that this service is NOT usable on a Kindle.  However, it works on many other devices.  For more information, please click the Overdrive icon on this page.  Also, please feel free to call us at 337.363.1369.

All items returned in good condition from Dec. 15, 2010, through Jan. 15, 2011, will have all fines on them waived.  Please search your homes and cars for any items that you may have intended to return but lost track of.  Items checked out anywhere within the Evangeline Parish Library system can be returned to the main library or to any of the five branches: you do not have to return them at the exact place where you checked them out.

To return items when the buildings are closed, there are drop boxes at the libraries in Ville Platte, Pine Prairie, Mamou, and Basile.  Please note that items cannot be returned to the Turkey Creek and Chataignier locations when those buildings are closed.  Please bring them to one of the other locations above, instead.

Also, from Dec. 15th through Jan. 15th we will take 50% off any existing late fines and book replacement fees already on your account.  To take advantage of this offer, the accounts must be paid off in full: for example, if you owe $10, pay $5.  Parents, please ask the library to check each of your children’s accounts to make sure that they are clear, as well.  This offer is only available during library business hours when the library is open–we do not yet accept payments online.  Payments must be by cash or check (for exact amount of payment only) –sorry, no credit or debit cards.

This “fine forgiveness” period is the library’s way of saying thank you for your support this year.

The main library and all branches will be closed Dec. 23rd through Dec. 27th and closed again Dec. 30th through Jan. 2nd.

The main library (Ville Platte) and the Turkey Creek branch will open at 8 a.m. on Wed. Dec. 29th, rather than at their usual Wed. opening time of 10 a.m.

The Library Board and staff wish everybody happy holidays, a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year.  We thank you for your support in 2010 and look forward to serving you in 2011.