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December is the only time of the year when the air feels charged with magic – an mysterious mix of joy, nostalgia, and the anticipation of being home of the holidays, surrounded by those we treasure most. The LaPlace branch of St. John the Baptist Parish Library returned home to Highway 51 earlier this year for the first time since the devastation of Hurricane Ida, albeit in a temporary smaller footprint on side of the Norris J. Millet building. The Reserve branch will soon find a new home on River Road, adjacent from the historic St. John Theatre. With excitement building for 2024, we are ending this year with a line-up of free, festive fun sure to make spirits bright.

During the second annual Jingle Jam, families can take pictures with Santa, mail letters to the North Pole, and enjoy a very merry puppet show sing-a-long. Families will also be able to make holiday slime, decorate an edible Christmas tree cone, create gumdrop structures, and pin the ornament on the Christmas tree while enjoying holiday music and light refreshments. Jingle Jam is scheduled for 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11 at the Edgard Branch; Tuesday, Dec. 12 at the LaPlace Branch; Wednesday, Dec. 13 at the Garyville Branch; and Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Reserve Branch.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library is hosting programs throughout the month to capture the spirit of the season.

December highlights include the following:

Ages 0-5

– Pajama Storytime featuring “The Cajun Night Before Christmas”

– Dubi’s 25 Days of Christmas (St. John the Baptist Parish YouTube Channel)

– Letters to Santa

– “The Polar Express” shape train craft

– Decorate Hanukkah Dreidels

Ages 6-11

– DIY snowglobes

– “The Nutcracker” popsicle stick puppets

– Make a Kufi hat to celebrate Kwanzaa

– “We’re Going on a Reindeer Hunt” map and binoculars craft

Teens & Tweens

– Holiday movie day: “Gremlins”

– Decorate ugly Christmas beanies

– Celebrate the Renaissance & Eras tours – Make Beyoncé hand fans and Taylor Swift friendship bracelets

– Fun with Film: Make a Lite Brite stop motion video

Adults

– Home wine-making with the LSU AgCenter

– Christmas centerpiece craft

– ESL classes

– ‘Los Libros book talk & discussion group (“Trust” by Hernan Diaz and “Demon Copperhead” by Barbara

Kingsolver)

– Virtual author talks with best-selling authors Victoria Aveyard (“Red Queen” and “Realm Breaker” series) and

Stephanie Land (“Maid”)

Please refer to our online calendar at stjohnlib.com, call 985-652-6857 ext. 1106, or pick up a copy of the December newsletter at any of our four branches for more information on our programs, including dates and times.

January 2024 will mark the beginning of St. John the Baptist Parish Library’s strategic planning process, which will involve surveys, meetings, and stakeholder discussions with members of the community. By making a strategic plan, we are taking a comprehensive look at how the library can strengthen the community and drive lasting impact.

Today’s libraries are not merely houses filled with books. A successful 21 st Century library strengthens the community by offering thoughtful and relevant resources. The new Leroy D. Williams Memorial Library in Reserve will feature a one-button studio for telehealth appointments, a podcast studio, a teaching kitchen, a gaming room and a café. The Reserve branch’s all new makerspace will provide sewing machines, 3D printing, Cricut, and sublimation machines for patrons to unleash their creativity or learn a new skill. Similar amenities will go into the strategic planning for the reconstruction of the Norris J. Millet building in LaPlace following the opening of Reserve.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library is now hiring library assistants and a branch manager for Reserve. Applications are posted at stjohnlib.com/work-with-us/. Construction of the new branch is anticipated to reach completion in the Spring, and I look forward to sharing more information as the grand opening approaches.

Until then, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Brooke R. Cantrelle is the communications manager for St. John the Baptist Parish Library. She can be reached at bcantrelle@stjohnlib.com.