Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

By Brooke Cantrelle
Special to L’Observateur

Families will be treated to a hopping good time at St. John the Baptist Parish Library during Dubi’s Easter Eggstravaganza, a springtime celebration that features a thrilling Easter egg hunt, a musical puppet show, and complimentary pictures with the Easter Bunny.

The program will also include an Easter-themed story time and a bunny headband craft. To ensure each child in attendance receives an Easter basket, families are asked to register using the online calendar at stjohnlib.com or in person at your local library branch. Dubi’s Easter Eggstravaganza will take place at 10:30 a.m. in Edgard (2979 Highway 18) and at 2 p.m. in Reserve (170 West 10^th St.) on Saturday, March 9. On Saturday, March 16, the Easter Eggstravaganza will take place at 10:30 a.m. in Garyville (111 Historic Front St.) and at 2 p.m. in LaPlace (2920 Highway 51).

Children ages 0 to 5 and their caregivers are always invited to weekly story times held at 10:30 a.m. Mondays in Reserve, Wednesdays in LaPlace, and Thursdays in Garyville. At the community’s request, story time at the Edgard Branch will now take place at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.

Other children’s events scheduled for the month of March include a basketball cup and ball craft for children ages 6 to 11 (4:30 p.m. March 11 in LaPlace, Garyville, and Edgard/ 4:30 p.m. March 14 in Reserve) and a paper bag kite craft for kids ages 4 to 8 (4 p.m. March 19 at all branches). All month long, kids in grades K-5 can visit the children’s area at any branch to vote for their favorites in the Louisiana Young Readers’ Choice Awards.

Each month, teens and tweens can tune into the St. John the Baptist Parish Library YouTube channel to follow digital tutorials and learn skills that can translate to the workforce. This month, Library Assistant Lora Luquet leads a tutorial on achieving a film-like double exposure effect in Adobe Photoshop. Follow along to spice up your Instagram profile or design a dazzling event poster.

Did you know saltwater can be used to conduct electricity? Teens can build a functional saltwater circuit at 5:30 p.m. March 11 in Edgard, 3:30 p.m. March 12 in Reserve, 5:30 p.m. March 13 in Garyville, and 5:30 p.m. March 14 in LaPlace.

Teens and tweens can wrap up the month with an adorable Easter pet craft at 5 p.m. March 25 in Edgard, 5 p.m. March 26 in LaPlace, 5 p.m. March 27 in Garyville, or 3:30 p.m. March 28 in Reserve.

Adults can also channel their inner artist while celebrating the start of spring. Discover new acrylic techniques during a step-by-step guided spring lilac painting suited for artists of all skill levels. Register today at stjohnlib.com for the painting program, scheduled for 6 p.m. March 19 in LaPlace, March 20 in Edgard, March 25 in Garyville, and March 28 in Reserve.

Bookworms are invited to join Library Assistant Javalyn LeBlanc’s new Literary Lounge Book Club to discuss “Circe” by Madeline Miller at 5 p.m. March 19 in Reserve. “New York Times” bestseller Madeline Miller is one of the featured authors in this month’s virtual author talk series; patrons can participate a live Q&A with her at 6 p.m. March 21 at libraryc.org/stjohnlib. Other bestselling authors featured this month are NPR Legal Affairs correspondent Nina Totenberg ( 3 p.m. March 6) and Christopher Paolini, creator of the “Eragon” series (3 p.m. March 14).

Another literary offering is the in-person ‘Los Libros Discussion Group with Reference Associate Carlos Diaz. This month, he will discuss two Don Winslow novels, “City on Fire” (5 p.m. March 7 in LaPlace) and “City of Dreams” (5 p.m. March 21 in LaPlace). Both books are available to check out from the library.

New Reserve Branch Manager Andre Brock will share his gardening expertise during a presentation called “What About Weeds?” on March 26, at 10 a.m. in LaPlace, 1 p.m. in Reserve, and 3 p.m. in Garyville.

Library branches offer weekly beginner computer skills classes for adults (5 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m. Tuesdays in Garyville/ 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays in Reserve/ 6 p.m. Thursdays in LaPlace). Additionally, English as a Second Language classes are offered at 6 p.m. Wednesdays in LaPlace to meet a growing need within our community. Please visit stjohnlib.com or call your local library to register.

What programs would you like to see the Library offer? Please complete a short, four-question survey using the following link to make your voice heard as we plan for the future: http://tinyurl.com/SJBlibsurvey

Visit stjohnlib.com or follow St. John the Baptist Parish Library on Facebook, Instagram, and X for more information about upcoming programs.