AMY SZPARA

LAPLACE – A sunny day with blue skies and pure, white clouds set the perfect atmosphere for the groundbreaking of the new St. John the Baptist Parish Library on U.S. Highway 51 Monday. The event brought a crowd, which gathered on the soft dirt just before the leveled mound where the new library will sit soon. Randy DeSoto, administrative librarian for the library, welcomed the group of parish officials and well-wishers to the groundbreaking ceremony. DeSoto called the promise of a new facility “a natural progression of growth.” Built in 1977 and expanded in 1984 to double the original size, the current library on Airline Highway is getting too small for the parish, said DeSoto. He said it was great when the building was expanded, “but as soon as we did that,” he said, “we went to computers.” Then traffic in the library became heavier. DeSoto said there was a lot of room when the building was expanded, but as more books and materials started coming in more space was needed. Now the library has 12 computers, but even more are needed and space is a big problem. “It stays busy, especially in the afternoon,” said DeSoto. “A lot of people come in, especially to do homework. More teachers are giving assignments that require Internet use.” The new library is expected to open with 30 computers, and meeting rooms will be larger. Study rooms will also be available at the new library. “It will fit well into the area,” said DeSoto. “In the future we will grow and need more room, and we can easily expand here,” he said, looking around at the large, empty area that holds nothing other than grass. A prayer given by the Rev. Benjamin Piovan opened the ceremony, then distinguished guests presented their thoughts on the new library. Norris J. Millet, president of the Library Board of Control, said, “I’d like to thank the people of St. John for approving the millage.” He said that when he stops by the current library it is always crowded. “I’m proud to be here.” Leroy D. Williams, vice-president of the Library Board of Control, said he could remember the first day he was appointed to the board in 1966. As president in the past, Williams recalled years of volunteer work on the board, though recently members began receiving $50 each for meetings they attend. He said he was proud of the work being done. Parish President Nickie Monica said the new library is an extension of the education system in the parish. He commended the library board, stating that the new library “is a reflection of their efforts over the years.” St. John Parish Council Chairman Cleveland Farlough said he has always been interested in education. “There is a thirst for knowledge, and there is no better place to receive it than the library,” he said. “This is going to be a great thing for the parish of St. John. It will add value to the parish and improve the quality of life here.” Councilman Jobe Boucvalt added that he could remember running through cane fields at that very spot when he was 9 years old. Forty years later, he said he is proud to look out and see a major highway and be standing where the new library will be. Councilman Allen St. Pierre said, “We’re very fortunate to have parish presidents who put in so much time into libraries.” Former Parish President Arnold Labat said, “It’s wonderful to sit and watch where the new building will be erected.” He recalled the starting of the first library. “We had to scratch to get a book,” he said. Since 1984, when the original library was expanded in the same year he was elected first parish president, Labat said a lot of improvements have been made. Libraries have gone up in Edgard and Reserve, and land was purchased for a library in Garyville. “And now this,” he said. “I know we’re going to enjoy it.” Billy Sizeler and Ian Thompson of Sizeler Architects are the architects who worked on designing the new building. Thompson, the partner in charge, designed the building. He said it took about a year for the whole process of design to be completed. He added that the library will be 20,000 square feet with additional square feet for the porches that will be added. The building, which will be constructed in a local vernacular style, will face an area that will be a park. The porches will be covered and the rooves sloped, and the walkways will be raised to suit Louisiana weather. Bill Steinhardt of Pellerin Construction, Inc. already has his men on the job. As the ceremony was taking place, men in hard hats worked in the surrounding areas. Steinhardt said there will be about 25 people working on the construction and at different phases there may be up to 50 people working. The erecting of the new library is part of Libraries 2000, a program started by Joseph Scontrino of the Library Board of Control. The groundwork for the project began in 2000, and the final product is expected to be finished in early 2002. According to DeSoto, Garyville is expected to get a library next. Currently renting a building, the town now has land for a library, though funds may not be available yet. Everyone is hopeful, however, that a Garyville library will be in the near future.