The Library Board of Control and staff from around the parish offer thanks to all of the folks who came to our Fall Library Fest! So many memories were made, authors shared their books, vendor sold their unique products, community information was shared, some “unclaimed money” was found,  and good food was eaten! We are looking forward to our 2024 Festivals! We’d also like to show gratitude to our November “Artist of the Month”, Kate Lemoine, for allowing us to share her unique photography. We are looking for an artist who would like to display their work through the month of December. Please contact Suzy Lemoine @ [email protected].

Tuesday, December 12^th, the main library will host another Medicare Information seminar from 10 am too 12 noon.  It will be followed at 1 pm by our weekly French Conversations program. This Medicare seminar is free and open to the public. Then, on Wednesday, December 14^th, we will host a “Kid’s Craft” program at 4 pm. It will fill up quickly so come early to get your spot. On Saturday, December 16^th, the main library will host another Medicare Information seminar from 10 am to 11:30 am. Please share the good news.

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.

Early notice: Wednesday, December 20^th, we will be closed for an  All Staff Day training. Christmas Holiday closures for the main library and the branches around the parish 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.

The Fall Library Book Fest is THIS Saturday, December 9^th, from 9 am – 1 pm. We will have a special guest, Michael Wynne, an antique appraiser and author from 9 am to 11 am. Bring any item that you’d like appraised for a small fee of $3.00 and be amazed at what you will learn from Mr. Wynne! Also, new this year we will have a “Show Me the Money” station where folks can see if there is any unclaimed money waiting to be returned to them! We will have a bell set up to chime every time someone finds some unclaimed money!! Our final line up of Authors, Cooks, Vendors and Community partners are: AUTHORS: Rhonda LeJeune, Linda Fontenot, Jessica Deen Norris, Darisa La Belle Griffith Ricks, Julie Beth Davis, Christopher Fontenot, Jasonnaye Wilson. Pamela Funderburk, Debby Lawson, Patricia Williams, Kristal Ben and Lacey Vidrine.  VENDOR/ARTISTS: Sleepy Parrot Charles Fontenot, Belinda Williams, Jalaina Freeman & Adrienne Griffith, Katelyn Beaubouef, Betsy Pitre, Jane & Roland Benefit Yard Sale, Kayra Guillory, Brecky Thomas, Roxanne Thomas, Nesha Arvie, Angel George, Morgan Blanchet, Beck Seaux, and Linda Fontenot.  COOKS: Annette Wilson, Natasha Edwards, Saucin with Tashh, Hope Guidry, Myra Fontenot (Food Truck), and Sarah Butler. COMMUNITY: Save Our Community Kid Adventure Camps, La Dept of Health, Sisters on the Go, Krewe de Evangeline Coalition, St. Landry-Evangeline United Way, an Unclaimed Money station called “Show Me The Money”! and a  HUGE USED BOOK SALE TOO! We have other surprises in store so please get the word out and “try to make a pass”!

We are partnering this year with CASA for their Christmas TOY DRIVE program and offering an incentive to our patrons to participate. From now until December11th, if you drop off a NEW, UNWRAPPED toy at the main library or any branch you will receive up to $10 off your library fines for each toy donated! Please share this opportunity to give the joy of gifts for a child and reduce any fines that you may have on your library account! 

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, NOVEMBER 27, 2023

3:00 pm at 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

1. Update from the new Basile Branch library committee meeting held on 11/14/23

1. New Business

1. Board of Control training by State Library Director Meg Placke.
2. Approval of the following policies that have already been revised and reviewed: Collection, Circulation, and new restrictive Library Cards.
3. Setting a construction budget for the new Basile Branch Library Project
4. Approving the payment of $31,500 from the Capital Expense account that was approved for the Turkey Creek Fiber extension project that is now complete. (Note: Savings of $8,500 from the original commitment of $40K) 
5. Set the staff Holiday Calendar for 2024
6. Set the 2024 meeting dates for the Board of Control.
7. Announce the following staff changes: Sandra Veillon (FT) and Kay Cardenas (PT) have left our employ. Mrs. Ruth Stanley (FT) will retire mid-January 2024. These changes resulted in our advertising for a new FT employee. Considering the above changes, we’d like to hire and additional FT employee. 
8. Approve annual step increases for employees
9. Approval of the 2024 Budget
10. Approval of two 2024 Fine Free periods for the months of August and December

1. Reports

1. Financials
2. Facilities Report
3. Outreach Report

       v.          Adjournment                                                      Next meeting: ______________________

The Evangeline Parish Library Board of Control will meet on Monday, November 27th at 3 pm in the Genealogy Room for training provided by state librarian Meg Placke.  It will be followed by their regular board meeting at 4pm. An agenda is posted at the libraries and on the webpage. 

We are partnering this year with CASA for their Christmas TOY DRIVE program and offering an incentive to our patrons to participate. From now until December11th, if you drop off a NEW, UNWRAPPED toy at the main library or any branch you will receive up to $10 off your library fines for each toy donated! Please share this opportunity to give the joy of gifts for a child and reduce any fines that you may have on your library account! This week the main library and its branches around the parish are now participating in the “Keep Louisiana Beautifully campaign by making litter clean up supplies readily available for check out. With your library card, you will be able to check out a cleanup kit which includes a safety vest, grabber, 2 trash bags, and instructions on how to conduct your cleanup for a period of one week.  This program provides the perfect opportunity for students to get service hours for school; Brownie or Girl Scout troops to earn a badge; or small homeschool groups, youth groups to care for their neighborhood. This program is for adults too! Early notices: (1) The Fall Library Fest is slated for Saturday, December 9th.Contact Keishia Ford for more information. The deadline to sign up is November 30, 2023. This is a FREE, family fun event! Look who’s coming already: AUTHORS: Rhonda Brasseaux, Linda Fontenot, Jessica Deen Norris, Darisa La Belle Griffith Ricks, Julie Beth Davis, Christopher Fontenot, Jasonnaye Wilson. VENDOR/ARTISTS: Lacy Vidrine,  Sleepy Parrot Charles Fontenot, Belinda Williams, Jalaina Freeman & Adrienne Griffith, Katelyn Beaubouef.  COOK: Sarah Butler. INFORMATION: Save Our Community Kid Adventure Camps. FUNDRAISER: Jane & Roland Vidrine. HUGE USED NOOK SALE TOO!! 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

We continue to salute our Veterans for the sacrifices that they made to allow us the FREEDOMS that we are able to enjoy today!

This Tuesday, November 14^th, the mail library will again host a FREE Medicare Information Seminar from 9:30 am to Noon. Please share this good news. Beginning on Monday, November 20^th, the main library and its branches around the parish will participate in the “Keep Louisiana Beautiful” campaign by making litter clean up supplies readily available for check out. With your library card, you will be able to check out a cleanup kit which includes a safety vest, grabber, 2 trash bags, and instructions on how to conduct your cleanup for a period of one week.  This program provides the perfect opportunity for students to get service hours for school; Brownie or Girl Scout troops to earn a badge; or small homeschool groups, youth groups to care for their neighborhood. This program is for adults too! 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.

Early notices: (1) The Fall Library Fest is slated for Saturday, December 9^th. Contact Keishia Ford for more information. The deadline to sign up is November 30, 2023. This is a FREE, family fun event! Look who’s coming already: AUTHORS: Rhonda Brasseaux, Linda Fontenot, Jessica Deen Norris, Darisa La Belle Griffith Ricks, Julie Beth Davis, Christopher Fontenot, Jasonnaye Wilson. VENDOR/ARTISTS:  Sleepy Parrot Charles Fontenot, Belinda Williams, Jalaina Freeman & Adrienne Griffith, Katelyn Beaubouef.  COOK: Sarah Butler. INFORMATION: Save Our Community Kid Adventure Camps. FUNDRAISER: Jane & Roland Vidrine. (2) The Evangeline Parish Library Board of Control will meet on Monday, November 27^th, at 3 pm for training by state librarian Meg Placke. Its regular board meeting will follow.

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.