In recognition of the Martin Luther King, 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.

Welcome to 2024! In planning out our year at our recent staff meeting, I am happy to let folks know that we’ve chosen a date for our Spring Book Fest! Save the date: Saturday, May 4, 202.  Also, we’re trying out a few new monthly programs like a monthly “Bingo for Adults Only” and recognition of a monthly Top Adult Reader! (Stay tuned for details soon). This January, we will continue our “Artist of the Month” program but with a little twist by hosting two artists! Mrs. Pamela Ardoin Funderburk will be joined by an aspiring Ville Platte High school artist, Erin Louis.  Please come by to see their works on display in the Curio Cabinet next to our new book shelf in the main library.

On Tuesday, January 9^th at 1 pm, our usual French with Coffee Talk program hosted by staff member Patricia Harris is cancelled but it will continue as a monthly program where everyone who loves the French language gather.  And, we’re doing something different this month for the kids! Saturday, January 13^th at 10 am, we will have a Kids’ Craft program designed by Ms. Keishia Ford for kids up to about 12 years old! Please share this good news!

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.

The library Board of Control and staff from around the parish wish all of our patrons a safe and HAPPY NEW YEAR celebration! The closure date is: January 1, 2024. We reopen the main library and all branches on Tuesday, January 2, 2024.

This January, we will host two “Artists of the Month”!  Mrs. Pamela Ardoin Funderburk will be joined by an aspiring Ville Platte High school artist, Erin Louis.  Please come by to see their works on display in the Curio Cabinet next to our new book shelf in the main library.

On Tuesday, January 2^nd, @ 1pm, we will host our usual French with Coffee Talk program where everyone who loves the French language is invited to join in.  Then on Wednesday, January 3^rd,  at 10:30 am, we will host our first ADULTS ONLY BINGO!  Please share this good news! Thursday, January 4^th, at 4pm, will host the KIDS Bingo. This one fills up quickly, so please come early.

A new program that we are partnering with is through the Office of Public Health Region 4 (Acadiana), in partnership with Healthy Iberia Coalition and Healthy Vermilion Coalition, is holding a School Hygiene Drive. In this first-of-its-kind program, we are asking Acadiana community members to collect basic hygiene items for distribution to local middle schools. Middle school can be a very difficult time for students and many families are facing economic challenges. Items collected will be delivered to middle schools throughout Acadiana and shared with students when there is a personal hygiene need during the school day. The goal is to reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem and lead to a more effective educational process.

The library is supporting this drive by providing drop off locations in Evangeline Parish at our main library in Ville Platte and branches in Basile, Chataignier, Mamou, Pine Prairie, and Turkey Creek. New and unused items requested are:  Menstrual products (pads & tampons), bars of soap, body wash, toothbrush and toothpaste, facial cleanser, body wash, shampoo /conditioner, lotion, deodorant, hair comb/brush.

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.

The library Board of Control and staff from around the parish wish all of our patrons a very Merry Christmas celebration! The closure dates are: December 22^nd, 23^rd, 25^th & 26^th then December 29^th & 30^th.

Our December “Artist of the Month”!  Mrs. Pamela Ardoin Funderburk has some of her unique sketches on display through December. Please come by to see her work on display in the Curio Cabinet next to our new book shelf in the main library.

Our December Fine Free Month program is in full swing. Return any item in good condition to the main library or any branch and have all overdue fines waived.  We will also take 50% off of existing fines and charges for lost / damaged items. If the new, reduced fee is paid in full during this period.  This is our way of saying Thank You for your patronage year round.

A new program that we are partnering with is through the Office of Public Health Region 4 (Acadiana), in partnership with Healthy Iberia Coalition and Healthy Vermilion Coalition, is holding a School Hygiene Drive. In this first-of-its-kind program, we are asking Acadiana community members to collect basic hygiene items for distribution to local middle schools. Middle school can be a very difficult time for students and many families are facing economic challenges. Items collected will be delivered to middle schools throughout Acadiana and shared with students when there is a personal hygiene need during the school day. The goal is to reduce anxiety and improve self-esteem and lead to a more effective educational process.

The library is supporting this drive by providing drop off locations in Evangeline Parish at our main library in Ville Platte and branches in Basile, Chataignier, Mamou, Pine Prairie, and Turkey Creek. New and unused items requested are:  Menstrual products (pads & tampons), bars of soap, body wash, toothbrush and toothpaste, facial cleanser, body wash, shampoo /conditioner, lotion, deodorant, hair comb/brush.

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.

Happy to share that we’ve found our December “Artist of the Month”!  Mrs. Pamela Ardoin Funderburk will have her unique sketches on display through December. Please come by to see her work which is now on display in the Curio Cabinet next to our new book shelf in the main library.

This Monday, December 18^th, the main library is hosting a “Christmas Family Bingo” at 4pm. Seating is limited so please come early!  On Tuesday, December 19^th at 3 pm, Louisiana Hospice and Palliative Care will host an information meeting called Hospice 101. This program is free to the public. Please share this good news. Wednesday, December 20^th, the main library and all branches will be closed for an all-day Staff meeting.

Our December Fine Free Month program is in full swing. Return any item in good condition to the main library or any branch and have all overdue fines waived.  We will also take 50% off of existing fines and charges for lost / damaged items. If the new, reduced fee is paid in full during this period.  This is our way of saying Thank You for your patronage year round.

Christmas Closures around the parish:  Wednesday, December 20^th, we will be closed for an all-day Staff Day training. Christmas holiday closures are: December 22^nd, 23^rd, 25^th & 26^th then December 29^th & 30^th.

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.