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The public is invited to join St. John the Baptist Parish Library for some ghoulish good times during the month of October. From frightening fun for little ones to virtual book talks and technology classes for adults, the Library has something valuable to offer for every age group.

Halloween-themed crafts include a Haunted Mansion Scene “grab and geaux” kit, DIY pom-pom pumpkin patch, yarn-wrapped mummy, robotic skeleton, LED haunted house, creepy notebook and Halloween pen, and a DIY spooky crystal ball. In honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, teens and tweens are invited to paint a colorful Calavera, a decorative skull used in the Mexican Celebration of the Day of the Dead and the Roman Catholic holiday All Souls’ Day. Please see our calendar at stjohnlib.com or pick up our October 2023 newsletter at your local branch for more details, including the dates and times for each activity. Each Library branch also features activity tables for patrons to enjoy all month long. To celebrate Halloween, this month’s activities are paper bag haunted houses (Oct. 2-14) and paper pumpkin baskets (Oct. 16-31).

Each St. John the Baptist Parish Library branch hosts a weekly story time to promote early literacy and a lifelong love of reading and learning among children ages 0-5. Story time is held at 10:30 a.m. at the Reserve branch on Mondays, the Edgard Branch on Tuesdays, the LaPlace branch on Wednesdays, and the Garyville Branch on Thursdays. Children on the autism/neurodiverse spectrum can attend a sensory-friendly story time at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 14 in Edgard.

This month, our youngest patrons will be treated to a unique story time session when renowned author Kari Baker visits each branch the week of October 9-12 to read her book, “Glittermoon.” Children will embrace the spirit of generosity as magical unicorn Glittermoon takes on the important job of collecting pacifiers to pass on to baby unicorns in need. Baker’s story time will take place at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 9 in Reserve, Oct. 10 in Edgard, Oct. 11 in LaPlace, and Oct. 12 in Garyville.

Children ages 0-5 are also invited to join each Library branch for a “Bluey Bash” complete with games, crafts, a scavenger hunt, snacks, and themed episodes of the beloved children’s show. Families can join the fun at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 in Reserve, at 1 p.m. Oct. 16 in LaPlace, and at 1 p.m. Oct. 17 in Garyville and Edgard. 

Patrons of all ages can learn about gardening during the cooler months during the Fall Veggies & Roasting Roots Program hosted in partnership with the LSU AgCenter. County Agent André Brock will share fall gardening tips, while Area Nutrition Agent Rinalda Rocquin will demonstrate how to prepare root vegetables for roasting using an air fryer. While this event is open to all, we encourage families to share the joys of gardening and cooking. There will be dish samplings, and “grow bags” with seeds and plants will be available for patrons to take home. This program is scheduled for 10 a.m. in Edgard and 4 p.m. in Garyville on Monday, Oct. 16, and 10 a.m. in LaPlace on Tuesday, Oct. 17.

October also serves as Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and St. John the Baptist Parish Library branches have prepared events to pay tribute to all who have been affected by this disease. All month long, patrons can pick up informational brochures, participate in a candy-guessing game, and add ornaments to an awareness tree. Join staff in making an awareness pen and journal set at 11 a.m. Oct. 6 in Edgard, Oct. 20 in Garyville, and Oct. 27 in LaPlace and Reserve. All branches will offer a breast cancer awareness bracelet craft at 11 a.m. Friday, October 13. 

Did you know St. John the Baptist Parish Library offers virtual programming? Log onto library.org/stjohnlib to watch this month’s author talks featuring Rick Steves (Oct. 10, 3 p.m.), Ruth Ware (Oct. 18, 1 p.m.) and John Irving (Oct. 26, 6 p.m.). Author talks can be viewed live, or you can watch recordings after the fact.

St. John the Baptist Parish Library is a vital community connector: championing economic vitality, promoting cultural awareness and encouraging a lifelong love of reading, learning and literacy. The Library seeks to provide quality resources representing diverse points of view; present creative, thoughtful and relevant programming; and strengthen community through networking and collaboration. We aspire to empower every voice in our communities. 

For more information about upcoming programs and available resources, visit stjohnlib.com, call 985-652-6857, or email bcantrelle@stjohnlib.com.

Edit: This article has been edited as of Oct. 6, 2023 to reflect a change in the time for the “Bluey Bash.”