Finally, October is here! It’s FALL y’all!!

Here are a few early notices for the Ville Platte main library about programs or events designed for folks to be informed and engaged:  Saturday, October 14^h. The main library in Ville Platte is a designated polling place and will be closed for patron use while voting takes place. Monday, October 16^th. The main library will host a “Kids Painting Fun” event at 4 pm. Seating is limited to 25 so book your spot early. Wednesday, October 18^th. The library will host an “Adult Bingo” event at 11:30 am. Seating will be limited to 20 so book your spot early. Saturday, October 21^st. The Evangeline Genealogical & Historical Society will host its quarterly meeting at 9:30 am. Their guest will be Mr. William Thibodeaux who will speak on the topic of Cajun Country chronicles. New members are always welcomed. Monday, October 30^th. The library will host a “Kids Bingo” at 4 pm. Seating is limited to 20 so, once again, sign up early! The usual weekly and monthly programs will continue at their usual times.

We are grateful to our September “Artist of the Month”, Pamela  Bertrand, and are now anxious to find a new artist for October. If you or someone you know would like to have their art displayed for a month at the main library, just call or email Suzy Lemoine @ 337-363-1369 or [email protected].  On a side note, Ms. Bertrand is working on an interior mural in the kids’ area of the Mamou branch library. We are grateful and can’t wait to see the finished full-wall mural!

We invite you to drop by the main library in Ville Platte to see some of the changes of late:  The Genealogy Room has been reconfigured to allow more work space for our patrons and we’ve moved the genealogy newsletters and local yearbooks to the room next to it to encourage folks to sit and enjoy taking a look at years gone by. Also, we have expanded our “Library & Community News” area in the foyer to better promote all of the good things that are available in our 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

The library will resume normal working hours tomorrow, Tuesday, 9/19/23. We appreciate your support and understanding. Please share.

The main library in Ville Platte is offering an opportunity for young readers to enter a September Reading Contest for cool prizes! Each time a young reader checks out a book their name will be entered to win a prize. The more visits and checkouts, the more chances to win!! Please promote this fun program with us.  

Tuesday, September 19th, The main library will host a Medicare Information Program at 9:30 until noon. It will be followed by our usual French program @ 1 pm then a Hospice Information program hosted by La Hospice & Palliative Care @ 3pm.All of these programs are FREE to the public. Please share. 

 A Kids Craft Fun event at the main library in Ville Platte will be held on September 18th @ 4 pm. Seating is limited. For information about all of the fun and diverse programs , visit the Facebook page of your favorite library. There is so much variety! 

Early Notices: Family Bingo is slated for September 25^th @ 4 pm. Seating is limited to 30. Please share this good news.  Beginning in October. The library has received a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities that will fund the opportunity to bring a culture bearer and scholar, Dr. Elista Istre, to some middle grades to share the story of “Evangeline” with a program titled, “Evangeline: The Myth and the Maiden”. One of the goals of this partnership is to help our youth see the significance of their parish being named after the famous heroine, Evangeline, in the works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, “Evangeline: A Tale of Acadie”.  Dr. Istre will be in the following schools on these dates: Evangeline Reimagine Academy on 10/17/23, James Stephens Montessori on 10/24/23, Mamou Junior High on November 7th, Chataignier Elementary on November 14th, Vidrine Elementary on December 5th, and Bayou Chicot Elementary on December 12th. 

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

LET US NEVER FORGET!

The Library Board of Control will meet on Monday, September 11^th @ 4 pm at the main library in Ville Platte. An agenda is posted.  The public is invited to attend.

Sharing some good news! We were notified yesterday that the new state librarian is Ms. Meg Placke. Meg has visited our library in the past and has fond memories of Evangeline Parish.  She will be visiting our main library soon. 

The main library in Ville Platte is offering an opportunity for young readers to enter a September Reading Contest for cool prizes! Each time a young reader checks out a book their name will be entered to win a prize. The mor visits and checkouts, the more chances to win!! Please promote this fun program with us.  

Early notices:  A Kids Craft Fun event at the main library in Ville Platte will be held on September 18th @ 4 pm. Seating is limited. Also, Family Bingois slated for September 25^th @ 4 pm. Seating is limited to 30. Please share this good news. 

For information about all of the fun and diverse programs at all branches around the parish, visit the Facebook page of your favorite library. There is so much variety! 

Our Artist of the Month for the month of September at the main library is Pamela Fruge Bertrand. Pam grew up in Ville Platte and started drawing in 3rd grade. Her love of drawing offered her the opportunity to study under Waven Boone, Michael Bordelon and Mrs. Gertie Mayeaux. 

Speaking of Mrs. Gertie, I am reminded of the approaching Tournoi event (10/15/23) about which she painted a marvelous rendition of  “a Knight riding on a horse with his lance poised to spear the rings that symbolize the seven enemies of cotton: flood, drought, boll weevils, boll worm, silk, rayon and nylon”! We invite you to stop by the main library to see her art which on display by the Memory Catalog.

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, SEPTEMBER 11, 2023

4:00 pm at Ville Platte Main Library

916 West Main Street, Ville Platte, Louisiana 70586

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. Discuss “hold” status of updating the following policies based on the passage of Act 436 (SB7):  Collection, Circulation, Patron Behavior, Library Card, Electronic Resources and Unattended Children. Waiting on guidance from the state library.
2. New Basile Branch committee update including discussion about setting a budget based on  finance options

1. New Business

1. Review and update the following policies: Required Reading Lists, FAQ’s about Donations, Personnel, Volunteer Services, Hurricane Response and Sex Offenders.
2. Final stats – Summer Reading Program : Bonnes Nouvelles Article
3. LSW Overdrive Annual Report review
4. Report on attendance of Emily Fontenot and Suzy Lemoine at the state library Directors Boot Camp recently. Note a request for a Board of Control training by the State Librarian  is tentatively set for the November 27^th board meeting   
5. Update on employees who have received or will be receiving their Library Support Staff Certification this year: Janice Fontenot, Amy King, Keisha Ford, Gigi Fontenot and Angie Henry.

1. Reports

1. Financials
2. Facilities Report
3. Outreach Report

       v.          Adjournment

Next meeting: November 27, 2023