The Mamou branch library is open for business again! They are hosting a special photo op event for its patrons with our All American Mickey Mouse this Wednesday, July 29^th, at 2 pm! Mickey will be wearing a mask and anyone who comes to take pictures with him are required to wear one too. We guarantee that the smile that Mickey will bring will still shine through! Please share the good news!  The Chataignier and Turkey Creek branches will remain closed until further notice.

The library is now an official Keeper of Memories! When we entered into this precarious time called “COVID” we began to look for ways to preserve the documentation for future generations to look back on and the idea of encouraging the general public to preserve “their memories” came up as a great idea! The main library in Ville Platte owns a vintage card catalog that we want to fill with memories!  We are offering the public the opportunity to “Leave a Memory” about anything that they’d like others to remember about them, their loved ones, a life event, etc. on a form that can be picked up at the main library or at a branch near you. Nicknames are also being collected since they are so unique to our Parish. The card catalog can be viewed at the main library in Ville Platte, but we want to collect memories from patrons around the parish and simply store them there. Additionally, if writing is uncomfortable, one can send in a photo with a short bio of a person, pet or event. In fact, some folks have already sent in their old library cards because they wanted to be remembered as long-time library patrons. See below a few of the cards already on file. Please call the main library for more information at 337-363-1369.

Our Fine Free period continues until August 31st. and fines for lost books that are returned will be reduced by half price of the replacement cost.  Please get updates at evangelinelibrary.org or on our Facebook page and continue to request books and other materials by phone or by email at [email protected]. 

In the spirit of promoting summertime, family fun and a desire to help folks discover the wonders of “Staycations”, a concept being strongly promoted by the office of  Lt. Governor Nungesser, here are a few books that might encourage families to explore Louisiana: “Back Road Tours of French Louisiana: by Joan Williams, “Weekend Getaways in Louisiana” by Mary Fonseca, “Canoeing Louisiana” by Ernest Herndon, “Off the Beaten Path – Louisiana- A Guide To Unique Places” by Gay N. Martin, “Cajun Country Guide” by Macon Fry, “The Pelican Guide To Plantation Homes of Louisiana” by Anne Butler and “The Top 50 Tourist Attractions of Cajun Country” by Editors of Acadiana Profile.

The main library in Ville Platte and the branch libraries in Basile and Pine Prairie remain open to the public during their regular opening hours and we’d like to remind our patrons that masks are now required to enter. Our Fine Free period continues until further notice and fines for lost books that are returned will be reduced by half price of the replacement cost. Note: Until further notice, the Chataignier, Mamou and Turkey Creek branches remain closed.  Please get updates at evangelinelibrary.org or on our Facebook page and continue to request books and other materials by phone or by email at [email protected]. 

At the main library and branches in Basile and Pine Prairie, we continue to hand out free “Welcome Back Goodie Bags” filled with reading incentives to the kids to encourage them to READ!  The only requirement to receive the “goodie bag” is that at least two books are checked out. Each bag will also have a writing activity that could help them win ONE additional prize if they use the “Imagine Your Story” form to write down their memories of how the COVID 19 pandemic is affecting them and then return it to the library with their name and phone number! I’m excited to say that we have received a number of unique stories and the kids really enjoyed their extra prize! These goodie bags and the writing activity will continue through the summer months.

The staff truly appreciates the never-ending understanding, patience and support it continues to receive from all patrons!  Never forget that libraries do change lives… even through the Cloud! Main library: 337-363-1369.