Books and Bytes May 2015

Books and Bytes ontheBayou A Lafourche Parish Public Library Publication

M ak e M om f eel speci al w i th a h andmade gi f t!

May 2015

We're Giving Out FREE Books for Children's Book Week!

Get Caught Reading in the Library This M onth!

Kids can participate in Lemonade Day on M ay 2!

Branch Locati ons Library Headquarters (Laura Sanders, Library Director) Address: 314 St. Mary Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: (985) 446-1163 FAX: (985) 446-3848 Hours: Mon-Fri: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed: Sat/Sun Thibodaux Library (Main Branch) Address: 705 W. Fifth Street, Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone: (985) 447-4119 FAX: (985) 449-4128 Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 am.-7 p.m.

Fri & Sat: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Sun Choctaw Branch Library Address: 1887 Choctaw Road, Thibodaux, LA 70301 Phone/Fax: (985) 633-6453 Hours: Mon & Wed: 10:a.m.- 6:p.m.

Tuesday & Thurs: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Sat-Sun Bayou Blue Branch Library Address: 198 Mazerac Street, Houma, LA 70364 Phone/FAX: (985) 580-0634 Hours: Mon & Wed: 10:a.m.- 6:p.m.

Tuesday & Thurs: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Sat-Sun Raceland Branch Library Address: 177 Recreation Drive, Raceland, LA 70394 Phone/FAX: (985) 537-6875 Hours: Mon & Wed: 10:a.m.- 6:p.m.

Tuesday & Thurs: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Sat-Sun Gheens Branch Library Address: 153 N. Leon Drive, Gheens, LA 70355 Phone & FAX: (985) 532-2288 Hours: Mon-Thurs: 2 p.m.- 6 p.m.

Fri: 1 p.m - 5 p.m. Closed: Sat/Sun Lockport Branch Library Address: 720 Crescent Avenue, Lockport, LA 70374 Phone: (985) 532-3158 FAX: (985) 532-0270 Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 am.-7 p.m.

Fri & Sat: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Sun Larose Branch Library Address: 305 E. Fifth Street, Larose, LA 70373 Phone/FAX: (985) 693-3336 Hours: Mon & Wed: 10:a.m.- 6:p.m.

Tuesday & Thurs: 11 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Closed: Sat-Sun South Lafourche Branch Library Address: 16241 E. Main Street, Cut Off, LA 70345 Phone: (985) 632-7140 FAX: (985) 632-4963 Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m.-7 p.m.

Fri & Sat: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed: Sun Golden Meadow Branch Library Address: 1403 N. Bayou Drive, Golden Meadow, LA 70357 Phone/FAX: (985) 475-5660 Hours: Mon & Wed: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tues & Thurs: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.

Fri: 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Closed: Sat-Sun

Tabl e of Contents 03

Good Things

04

What We're Reading

05

Featured Events

06

What's New Author Meet & Greets

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Storytimes & Laptimes Kids' Book of the Month

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Events for Kids

09

Thyme to Eat Tag, You're It! Profile

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Events for All Ages

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Get a Hobby Hobby Programs

12

Exercise Programs

13

Events for Teens Staff Stars

14

Photo Highlights

16

Library Column

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Did You Know?

Library Board of Control - President: Bennie Smith - Vice-President: Harvey Clement Judy Bazare Lonnie Granier Selma Malcombe Angelique Torres Suzanne Troxclair - Board of Control Liaison: John Arnold

Good Things AreHappening @ Your Library

Lemonade Day Louisiana is Saturday, May 2, 2015.

Kids throughout Louisiana will learn how to start, own and operate their own business ? a lemonade stand.

All registered participants will receive a yellow backpack ? inside is everything you need to prepare for Lemonade Day. Get a backpack, make a plan and get started making money! You must have an adult say that it is OK for you to do Lemonade Day and operate a lemonade stand.

Lemonade Day is Empowering Today?s Youth to Become Tomorrow?s Entrepreneurs.

How to Participate: 1.Register for Lemonade Day and pick up a backpack at a participating location: You can do this online at www.lemonadeday.org Print out your registration confirmation and bring it to a participating location to pick up a backpack.

2.Prepare for Lemonade Day: When you get your backpack, you?ll find two workbooks: one for you and one for the adult working with you. At your own pace, work through these lessons about starting, owning and operating a business.

3. Inform us of where your stand will be: As May 2 approaches go to the website and input where your lemonade stand will be. Please be creative with your stand. You can also sell other items, i.e. cookies, brownies, etc.

4. Set Up Your Stand on May 2: You can set up your stand wherever you wish, but if it is on private property, you need to ask permission. On May 2, you?ll be one of thousands of kids across Louisiana selling lemonade ? think about how to stand out from your competitors and have a blast and make spending money! And be sure to donate a portion of the proceeds to a charity of your choice - we can all make a difference in our community.

To register for a booth at the Thibodaux Farmer's Market, visit or call the Thibodaux Library.

Participants will be provided space to set up their lemonade stand.

Library staff will be there to help judge the contests and to provide a kids' craft.

Library Closure Monday, May 25, 2015 All Lafourche library branches will be closed Monday, May 25, in honor of Memorial Day. The library will reopen according to its regular hours on Tuesday, May 26.

Visit www.lafourche.org to access the library's digital resources 24/7.

May is:

Participating locations giving out backpacks: Rouses Market #16

204 North Canal Boulevard 70301 (985) 445-3427

Thibodaux

Raising Cane?s # 59

301 North Canal Boulevard 70301 (985) 447-2515

Thibodaux

Thibodaux Library 705 W. 5th St. Thibodaux, LA (985) 447-4119

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07

Missing in Mudbug: A Ghost-in-Law Mystery Romance

By Jana DeLeon Set in the fictitious South Louisiana town of Mudbug, citizens become alarmed when FBI agents Raissa Bordeaux and Zach Blanchard meet the unexpected.

Zach is beaten and left for dead while Raissa is kidnapped and taken into the deep swamps surrounding Mudbug. How could this happen?

Game Warden Jadyn St. James and Sheriff Colt Bertrand team up to solve the mystery behind these events. Solving the mystery isn?t easy when the FBI converges on Mudbug and begins their own investigations. Jadyn, with the help of her cousin Maryse Robichaux LeJeune and Maryse?s ghostly ex-mother-in-law Helena, experience one hilarious adventure after another.

With twists and turns and a very unexpected ending, Jadyn and Colt solve the case of ?Missing in Mudbug.? I recommend this thoroughly delightful and interesting novel and am excited to begin another of Jana DeLeon?s Mudbug mysteries.

Living Well Spending Less: Twelve Secrets of the Good Life By Ruth Soukup Ruth Soukup, blogger turned author, answers profound questions everyone has about what is important in life by sharing her personal stories with readers.

Ruth, a self-confessed shop-a-holic, tells of her desire to own everything which led her on a path of pure self-destruction. At this lowest point, she realized that all of her possessions were not going to make her happy. In 2010, Ruth began writing her Living Well Spending Less blog which brought true happiness and contentment into her life.

Sharing her secrets in this twelve chapter, twelve step book will help you manage a chaotic life and overcome the destructive cycle of wanting more. From making adjustments to the way that you shop to bringing order to a messy life, Living Well Spending Less contains many key points in helping anyone. Chapter 9 has some good info for cutting your grocery bill in half With all of the grocery shopping that I do and considering myself pretty savvy in that department, I learned that grocery store sale items follow a six-to-eight week cycle. Who would have known that? This generated a buzz at our branch when I mentioned it to several of my coworkers.

Now we are on a mission to determine if the grocery sales that we regularly watch are six or eight week cycles.

Through her practical actions and stories Ruth is bound to inspire anyone to personal changes, goal settings, and bringing order into their lives. Inspirational books have become one of my favorites to read and this one is very well worth it.

BookReviewsby Charlotte A rea Li b rari an

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FEATURED EVENTS Check these out.

Note: The newsletter does not include all monthly events. Get a complete list at www.lafourche.org or pick up your branch's monthly calendar.

Honor Mom at the library

Storytime from Space for International Space Day Space Day is an educational event held on the first Friday in May, with the 2015 date set for May 1. The goal of the holiday is "to promote math, science, technology and engineering education by nurturing young peoples' enthusiasm for the wonders of the universe and inspiring them to continue the stellar work of today's space explorers," according to spaceday.org. Space Day was created by the Lockheed Martin Corporation in 1997.

Outer "Space" describes the vast empty regions between planets and stars. The study of these and other astronomical objects is called astronomy, one of the oldest sciences. It is often said that space exploration began with the launch of Sputnik 1, the first man-made object to orbit the Earth. Then, in an almost unbelievable feat of human achievement, in 1969 Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin traveled to the Moon and set foot on its surface during the Apollo 11 mission.

While in space, astronauts have videotaped themselves reading five children's picture books by author Jeffrey Bennett for Storytime in Space, a project of the Global Space Education Foundation.

The books are read by American astronaut Mike Hopkins, who is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force and a current NASA astronaut.

Hopkins was selected in June 2009 as a member of the NASA Astronaut Group 20.

Storytime From Space is working with numerous partner organizations including T2 Science & Math Education Consultants, Big Kid Science, NASA, QDAC Systems, Education Pathways, CASIS, Moore Arts, the University of Toronto, York University, MILAD Technology, and P&P Optica.

Storytime from Space Project is sponsored by

See Page 7 for Space Day storytimes.

May is a busy month. We've got lots going on, but be sure to check out our special programs honoring Mom. Here are a few examples.

- Bayou Blue Branch: Children and teens ages 10 to 17 can create a Mother?s Day paper bag scrapbook at 4:30 p.m. on May 6. Registration is required to attend, so sign up at the library.

- South Lafourche Branch: Stop by for the library's annual Mother?s Day Tea Party for children and their mothers, grandmothers, aunts, or any other special woman in their life at 5:30 p.m. on May 6.

- Larose Branch: Make personalized Mother?s Day cards for Mom at a Mother?s Day Storytime at 11 a.m. on May 7路 - Lockport Branch: Children ages 4 to 12 can create a vintage book page butterfly flower pot for Mom at 4 p.m. on May 7. Registration is required to attend, so sign up at the library.

- Choctaw Branch: It?s Mom?s Day Out beginning at 5 p.m. on May 7. Mothers can enjoy refreshments while their children create a one-of-a-kind Mother?s Day gift for them.

- Raceland Branch: People of all ages can create a special Mother?s Day painting for Mom or the special woman in their life at 5 p.m. on May 7.

- Thibodaux Branch: Enjoy a family craft at 11 a.m. on May 9 to celebrate Mother?s Day. Make a homemade recipe in a jar to give to Mom for Mother?s Day. Registration is required to attend, so sign up at the library.

- Golden Meadow Branch: Enjoy a Mother?s Day Storytime Book Club at 5 p.m. on May 12, featuring P.D. Eastman?s Are You My Mother?

Register your child in advance to receive a free copy of the book, while supplies last, thanks to a grant from Target. One book per household.

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Happiness for Beginners by Katherine Center

A year after getting divorced, thirty-two year old Helen lets her annoying ten years younger brother talk her into going on a wilderness survival course. It's supposed to be a chance for her to pull herself together again, but when she discovers that her brother's even more annoying best friend is also coming on the trip, she can't imagine how it will be anything other than a disaster. Thus begins the strangest adventure of Helen's well-behaved life: three weeks in the remotest wilderness of a mountain range in Wyoming where she will survive mosquito infestations, a surprise summer blizzard, and a group of sorority girls. Yet, despite everything, the vast wilderness has a way of making Helen's own little life seem bigger, too. And, somehow the people who annoy her the most start teaching her the very things she needs to learn.

Black Science, Vol. 1 by Rick Remender

"A must-read for anyone thrilled by bizarre and compelling sci-fi." Starred Review - Booklist This is a solid adventure tale..." - PW Grant McKay, former member of The Anarchistic Order of Scientists, has finally done the impossible: He has deciphered Black Science and punched through the barriers of reality. But what lies beyond the veil is not epiphany, but chaos. Now Grant and his team are lost, living ghosts shipwrecked on an infinite ocean of alien worlds, barreling through the long-forgotten, ancient, and unimaginable dark realms. The only way is forward, through the madness of the lightning sea-swamp and a futurepast trenchworld, where the Sons of the Wakan Tech-Tanka wage never-ending war on the savages of Europe! How did the Anarchist League of Scientists end up this deep in the onion? And, who among them sabotaged the Pillar?

Beauty's Kingdom by A.N. Roquelaure (Anne Rice)

The erotic Sleeping Beauty trilogy now continues with a fourth novel by master storyteller and bestselling author of "Prince Lestat, " Anne Rice, writing as A. N. Roquelaure Mega-bestselling author Annie Rice returns to where she left off in "Beauty's Release" with the disappearance of Queen Eleanor in Bellavalten. Now, twenty years after they were forced to leave the kingdom to return to their homeland, Beauty and her husband Laurent agree to travel back as its king and queen, to uphold the ways of complete sensual surrender, with a twist: they now insist on "voluntary" servitude in Bellavalten.

Countless eager princes, princesses, lords, ladies, and common folk journey to Beauty's new kingdom where she and her husband awaken their domain, ushering in a new era of desire, longing, and sexual ecstasy. Provocative and stirring, Rice's imaginative retelling of the Sleeping Beauty myth will be hailed by her longtime fans and new readers of erotica just discovering the novels. This book is intended for mature audiences.

Author meet & greets, book signings Meet local authors at your library Author and veteran law enforcement officer B.J. Bourg will discuss his new book James 516.

Thibodaux Branch May 2, 10 a.m.

Author June Shaw will introduce her latest book Just One Friend co-authored with Brooke and Caroline Naquin.

Thibodaux Branch May 14, 5:30 p.m.

Get o u r f r ee lib r a r y a pp in yo u r a pp s t o r e t o wa t c h mo vies , s ea r c h t h e c a t a lo g , a n d mu c h mo r e.

Childr en's Book of the Month Bayou Blue Branch (10:30 a.m. unless otherwise noted) May 1, 4 p.m. "Space Day" May 4, 10:30 a.m. "Mother's Day" May 11, 10:30 a.m. "Sports" *May 19, 6 p.m. "Summer" *Family Storytime

Choctaw Branch May 1, 10 a.m. "Space Day" May 12, 1 p.m. "Circus" May 26, 1 p.m. "Summer Fun"

Golden Meadow Branch Storytime Book Club - *May 5, 5 p.m. (bilingual) - *May 12, 5 p.m. *Register to receive a free copy of a book read at Storytime. One per household, while supplies last.

Larose Branch (11 a.m.)

May 7. "Are You My Mother?"

May 14. "Cajun Tales"

Lockport Branch (10:30 a.m.)

May 4. Spanish Storytime May 7. "Cajun Tales" Ma 14. "Rainbows for Rainbow Fish" May 28. "We Say Goodbye to You" Watch & Read Story Hour May 18, 5 p.m. "Giggle, Giggle, Quack" Wee Read Storytime (Ages 0 - 18 months) May 21, 10:30 a.m. "Summer Fun"

Raceland Branch May 5, 5:30 p.m. "Pete the Cat" May 6, 10:30 a.m. "Mother's Day" May 8, 10:30 a.m. "Barnyard Showdown"

South Lafourche Branch (10:30 a.m. unless noted) May 2, 11 a.m. "Space Day" May 5. "Mother's Day" May 12. "Cajun Tales" May 19. "Let's Get Dressed" Babytime Storytime (10:30 a.m.)

(0 to 24 months) May 6, 10:30 a.m.

May 26, 10:30 a.m.

Thibodaux Branch (10:30 a.m. unless otherwise notes) May 4, 5:30 p.m. "Love Your Pet" May 6. "Mother's Day" May 13. National Physical Fitness & Sports Month with E.D. White athletes May 20. "Stars and Stripes" May 27. "Space Day" Laptime Storytime (10:30 a.m.)

(0 to 24 months) May 7. "Mommy and Me" May 14. "1-2-3 Count with Me" May 21. "Puppet Books" May 28. "Silly Shapes"

Space Day Storytimes are in bold print.

ByK atina A rea Li b rari an Ever read a children?s book and knew immediately it would become a favorite?

I felt that way about Drew Daywalt?s The Day the Crayons Quit, with illustrations by Oliver Jeffers.

The storyline here is simple, but clever: Duncan reaches for his crayons one day at school and finds only a stack of letters, one from each of the crayons in his 12-pack box. Each crayon has its own gripe, and now, they?re on strike.

Some, like Red Crayon, feel overworked. ?I even work on Holidays!? says Red Crayon, pointing to Christmas and Valentine?s Day as especially taxing and reasons for rest. Pink Crayon is indignant.

It scoffs at the thought of being only a ?girl?s color? and complains that an occasional pink monster or such wouldn?t be out of the question.

There?s the epic rivalry between Yellow Crayon and Orange Crayon, who are no longer speaking to each other since each believes it?s the true color of the sun.

So how does Duncan handle his crayons? complaints so he can get back to coloring? As one might expect, creativity is key.

ByKristen Branch A ssi stant

Kristen, a branch assistant at the Lockport Branch and comic enthusiast, occasionally submits comics here for publication.

Watch this space for more.

In The Day the Crayons Quit, Daywalt gives each of the crayons its own voice, infusing each with a unique personality and a sense of importance, and Jeffers? illustrations (all done in crayon, of course) mimic the drawings, at times, represent Duncan?s own drawings, which the crayons use as evidence to justify their grievances.

If you?re looking for a really good children?s book to read aloud to the little ones at home, this is a great candidate.

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Craft programs are open to children of any age.

If a craft is geared toward children of certain ages, age levels will be listed.

*Registration required.

An * indicates that registration is required to attend.

South Lafourche Branch

Bayou Blue Branch *Sunshine Rainbow Craft: May 13, 4 p.m. Ages 4 - 7. *T-Shirt Pillow Craft: May 18, 4:30 p.m. Ages 8 - 12.

Choctaw Branch Children's Book Week Giveaway: To encourage at-home reading, each child will receive a free book the week of May 4 - May 8.

LEGO Free Play: May 11 - May 14 during library hours.

Special LEGO Building Day: May 12, 2 - 6 p.m. LEGO Club members and anyone interested in becoming a member will build LEGO creations. Snacks served.

Ages 5 - 9.

Rainbow Loom Craft: May 13, 4 p.m. Be your own fashion designer. Ages 5 - 10.

Tinker Toy Free Play: May 18 - May 21, during library hours. Ages 3 and up.

Golden Meadow Branch Children's Crafts: May 5, 5 p.m. & May 12, 5 p.m.

LEGO Time: May 19, 3 - 5 p.m.

Wii Game Day: May 21, 4 - 6 p.m.

Tinker Toy Fun: May 26, 4 - 6 p.m.

Just Play: May 2, 9, 23 & 30, 2 p.m. Unstructured playtime for childrens. A snack is provided.

Mother's Day Tea Party: May 6, 5:30 p.m.

Kids' Art: May 9, 1 p.m.

Play-Doh Day: May 16, 11 a.m. Make something with Play-Doh. LEGO Club: May 16, 2 p.m.

Kids' Bingo: May 20, 4:30 p.m.

Turtle Box Craft: May 26, 5:30 p.m.

Thibodaux Branch Kids' Craft: May 8, 3:30 p.m. *K'nex Construction: May 11, 5 p.m. Ages 8 - 13. *3D Doodle Pen Demo: May 22, 4 p.m. Learn more about the library's new 3D Doodle Pen. Movie and Craft: May 30. Create a musical-themed craft with fuse beads at 1 p.m. and watch the movie Annie at 1:30 p.m. A snack will be provided. *LEGO Robotics: May 16, 10 a.m. & May 27, 4 p.m. *Kids' Craft: May 21, 4:30 p.m.

LEGO Mania: May 7 & May 28, 4 p.m. Build with LEGOs while watching a LEGO movie. Snacks provided.

Larose Branch Mother's Day Craft: May 7, 11:30 a.m.

LEGO Builders: May 26 - May 28, during library hours Every Child a Reader: Each child visiting the library during Children's Book Week (May 3 - 9) will receive a free book.

Lockport Branch You and Me Playdate: May 6 & May 20, 10:30 a.m. Enjoy structured play designed for ages 0 - 18 months, with social activities for moms and children. *Mother's Day Flower Pot Craft: May 7, 4 p.m. *Light-Up Fireflies Craft: May 21, 4 p.m. Experience the magic of fireflies without the scorching summer heat. Make your own that really light up.

Raceland Branch Mother's Day Painting: May 7, 5 p.m. Paint a picture for Mom. K'nex Play: May 12, 5 p.m.

Get Caught Reading Hedgehog Craft: May 26, 5 p.m.

PJ & Movie Day: May 28, 4 p.m.

*Space is limited, so registration is required.

Ages 8 - 18 can build and program machines using the LEGO Robotics.

Lockport Branch May 6, 4 p.m. & May 23, 2 p.m.

Thibodaux Branch May 16, 10 a.m. & May 27, 4 p.m.

South Lafourche Branch May 13, 3:30 p.m. & May 30, 2 p.m.

Need an Internet connection?

Free Wi-Fi is available at all Lafourche Parish Public Library locations.

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T hyme to C ook Paul Chiquet Branch Administrator

White Chocolate Coconut Macaroon Bites May 31 is National Macaroon Day! Yield: Approx 24 mini bites

Ingredients 1 cup cacao butter, grated 1/2 tsp alcohol free pure vanilla 2 tsp coconut oil 3 tbsp maple syrup 6-8 drop stevia 1 1/2 cups dried unsweetened fine shred coconut

Method

Over very, very low heat melt grated cacao butter.

Remove from heat as soon as it is melted.

If very hot, allow to cool somewhat.

Stir in all remaining ingredients one by one until combined.

Spoon approx 1 1/2 tablespoons into mini muffin tins or mini fluted tart tins, press in firmly with end of wooden spoon or finger tips and freeze for 20 mins to set.

Pop out of tin with point of a sharp knife.

Garnish with a berry or just enjoy straight up! Store in refrigerator, serve cold or at room temperature.

This is a healthy version of something rather addictive!

May is also: National Hamburger Month National Salad Month National Barbecue Month

Find the latest, greatest cookbooks @ your library!

Paul Chiquet is known as the Ambassador for the Library. A former school librarian for 32 years with the Lafourche Parish Parish School system, Paul began work for the Lafourche Parish Public Library on April 6, 1998.

He'd always wanted to be a public librarian, but there were no positions open in the public libraries when he began his career, so he took a job in the school system, which he enjoyed.

After working in all the Galliano school libraries - Galliano High School, Galliano Elementary, and Galliano Middle School, he retired, but didn't stay retired long-only about three months.

He freely admits, "I didn't like being retired."

He first began working as a branch manager and librarian at the old Galliano branch library and a year later became the library director.

He counts many accomplishments during his tenure as director: overseeing the building of the new parish libraries and the passage of the millage that allowed them to be built, as well as modernizing the library system.

Paul stepped down as director after five or six years and began working as the library system's branch administrator.

He became acting director a few times while the Lafourche Parish Library Board of Control searched for library directors over the years, but he enjoys overseeing the library branches and assisting people from across the country with genealogy requests.

A registered genealogist, he receives a few dozen requests each month from people (many from out of state) who are looking for help researching their families.

Many people leave the area and after many years are searching to reconnect with their family's history on the bayou; in many ways, as part of his genealogy work, Paul provides them with the means to reconnect.

When not at work, Paul spends time with his wife Dolores at their fishing camp in southern Lafourche.

The couple has two sons and two grandsons.

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Fun & Games f or Al l Ages Bayou Blue Branch - Get Caught Reading Month Library Instagram Challenge: Instagram yourself reading & include the hashtag # getcaughtreadingBB or stop by the library to have your photo taken and receive a library cup for participating.

- LEGO Play: May 4 - May 7, during library hours.

- Children's Book Week Book Talk: May 5, 6 p.m.

Learn more about Children's Book Council Children's Choice Award winners.

- Tinker Toy Play: May 11 - May 14, library hours.

- Movie Night: May 12, 5 p.m.

- Ditch the Devices Field Day: May 29, 3 p.m. In honor of National Physical Fitness & Sports Month, take part in a field day of activities featuring games, relay races, & more.

Refreshments served.

Choctaw Branch - Cinco de Mayo Celebration: May 5, 4:30 p.m.

Enjoy chips & salsa and a pinatas craft for kids.

- Wii Wednesday: May 6, 4 p.m. Play Wii games with friends.

- Mother's Day Out: May 7, 5 p.m. Moms can enjoy refreshments while your children create a one-of-a-kind Mother's Day gift for you.

- *Fun in the Sun Craft: May 20, 4:15 p.m. Create outdoor decor. Each age group will create a unique take-away item.

- Let's Get Physical: May 21, 5 p.m. Have some outdoor fun by jumping rope, hula hooping, and hopscotch. Refreshments served.

- Report Card Show-Off: May 27 - May 29, during library hours. Bring your report card & receive a ticket for the Summer Reading Program prize basket drawing to be held in July.

- Beach Blast: May 28, 2 p.m. Watch Disney Channel's Teen Beach Movie and enjoy snacks.

- Get Caught Reading Month: May 1 - May 29.

Get caught reading and earn a ticket for the Summer Reading Program prize basket to be held in July.

Golden Meadow Branch - Family Bingo: May 13, 11:30 a.m. & May 27, 4 p.m.

- Cinema at the Library: May 20, 4 p.m.

Lockport Branch - Astrolab: May 1, 3 p.m. Learn more about the moon and Mars. Explore and create replicas of objects in space.

- Crayon Adventures Day: May 2, library hours.

- Coupon Clipping Day: May 2 & May 5, all day - Epossumondas Visits the Library: May 8, 3 p.m.

Join us when Colleen Salley's children's book characters Epossumondas, Mama, and Auntie

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visit the library in celebration of Children's Book Week.

Retro Cartoon Saturday Morning: May 9, 10:30 a.m.

Afternoon Concert Series: May 11, 1:30 p.m.

Listen to recordings by Papillion.

LEGO X-plorers: May 11, 4 p.m.

Family Ties Bracelet Craft: May 15, 3 p.m.

Solar Robotics: May 19, 4 p.m. Learn to make solar-powered machines and robots.

Movie Matinee: May 20, 4 p.m. Popcorn, drink, and a treat served.

100 Pages Youth Book Club: May 22, 3 p.m.

This book club is open to all ages and will discuss File Under: 13 Suspicious Incidents.

Bingo Battle: May 26, 5 p.m.

Build Magnetic: May 27, 4 p.m. Learn to build magnetic sculptures.

Raceland Branch - Pete the Cat Storytime: May 5, 5:30 p.m.

- Mother's Day Painting: May 7, 5 p.m. Make a beautiful painting on canvas for Mom. - K'nex Construction: May 12, 5 p.m. Create cool design with K'nex.

- Get Caught Reading Book Hedgehog: May 26, 5 p.m. Get Caught Reading and make a cute little book hedgehog craft.

- Pajama and Movie Day: May 28, 4 p.m. Children can wear the PJs and watch a new release movie.

Thibodaux Branch - New Movie Madness: May 2, 2 p.m. Watch a new release movie. Snacks served.

- Cinco de Mayo: May 5. Enjoy chips and salsa, while supplies last.

- Bingo: May 5, 12, 19 & 26, 10 a.m.

- Game Night: - May 5, 5 p.m. Board Games - May 12, 5 p.m. Wii Smash Bros.

- May 19, 5 p.m. Board Games - May 26, 5 p.m. Wii Mario Party - *Family Holiday Craft: May 9, 11 a.m. Enjoy a family craft to celebrate Mother's Day. Make a homemade recipe in a jar to give to Mom. - Pet Photo Contest: May is National Pet Month.

Bring in a photo of your pet to be entered in the library's Pet Photo Contest. Winners will be announced May 29 and will receive treats for their pets.

An * indicates registration is required to attend. Sign up at the library.

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Li v e, Lov e, Cr eat e Programs for Adults An * indicates registration is required.

ByLynette Programmi ng A dmi ni strator Libraries aren't just for books.

We do crafting, building, painting, and more. Why? Crafting and creating are good for us. It's fun and research shows that parent/ child craft time has lifelong benefits,. Creative time sets children up for lifelong success in subjects like math, reading and writing. Specifically, as children engage in crafting activities, they develop fine motor skills, skills in visual learning, language, decision making, inventiveness, and cultural awareness, which lead to improved academic performance.

Here we do crafting and creating for all ages, all the time. The best part? It?s absolutely free! Get crafty at the library. Check out just a few May activities.

- Bayou Blue Branch: Glass Etching for ages 13 - 17 at 5 p.m. May 26.

- Choctaw Branch: Outdoor decor creation for all ages at 4:15 p.m. on May 20 - Golden Meadow Branch: Create with LEGO at 3 p.m. on May 19 & Tinker Toys at 4 p.m. on May 26 - Larose Branch: Scrapbooking for teens and adults beginning at 1 p.m. on May 14 and 19 - Lockport Branch: Family Ties bracelets craft for all ages at 3 p.m. on May 15 - Raceland Branch: Mother's Day painting craft for all ages at 5 p.m. on May 7 - South Lafourche Branch: Duct tape wallets craft for children and teens at 4 p.m. on May 7 - Thibodaux Branch: Children's Button Monogram craft at 4:30 p.m. on May 21 Our goal is to enable parents to create, laugh, learn and bond with their children. Years from now, it won't matter what you created, just that you did it together. We know that parents are some of the busiest people on the planet, and we understand.

That?s why you can come into any library branch and enjoy creative activities with your younger child, your young adult, or for yourself. No need to bring anything, we have it covered.

Bayou Blue Branch *Mother's Day Jar Flowering Vase Craft: May 7, 1:30 p.m. *Paint a Hibiscus on Canvas: May 21, 1:30 p.m.

Choctaw Branch Wii Wednesday: May 6, 10:30 a.m.

Bingo: May 13, 10:30 a.m.

Monday Meal Planning: May 18, 4:30 p.m. Exchange quick, easy, & delicious meal recipes & learn helpful meal planning tips.

Yahtzee & Dessert: May 22, 1 p.m. Play and snack.

Golden Meadow Branch Walk Away the Pounds: May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 11 a.m. Exercise with others at the library.

Larose Branch Senior Strikers: May 4 & May 18, 10 a.m.

Bingo: May 13, 1:30 p.m.

Cuttin' Up Scrapbooking: May 14, 1 - 6:45 p.m. *Cuttin' Up Scrapbooking: May 19, 1 - 6:45 p.m.

Lady of the Sea Learning Center Blood Pressure Monitoring: May 12, 3 p.m. - 7 p.m. Get your blood pressure checked for free when the Lady of the Sea Learning Center visits the library.

Trading Titles Book Club: May 20, 10:30 a.m. Talk about the books you've read with others.

Lockport Branch Seniors Get Fit: May 4, 5 p.m. Enjoy WiiFit. A Walk in the Park: May 5 & May 19, 10:30 a.m. Exercise with others at the Town of Lockport's Bayou Side Park, weather permitting.

French Cultural Exchange: May 6, 5 p.m. Share your culture, food, and language with area French teachers.

Knitting Demo: May 12 & May 26, 10:30 a.m. Learn knitting using various methods to make beautiful yarn creations.

Crochet with Charlotte: May 13 & May 27, 10:30 a.m. Learn basics levels of crochetting. More advanced crocheters are welcome.

Party Off the Pounds: May 14, 5 p.m. Exercise with WiiFit. Book Club: May 16, 3 p.m. The Cherry Cola Book Club.

Scrapbooking: May 23, 2 p.m. Create a scrapbook page with a Mother's Day theme.

Raceland Branch Mosaic-Influenced Clay Pot Craft: May 4, 10:30 a.m.

Canvas Creation Craft: May 11, 10:30 a.m.

Spring Flowers Water Globe Craft: May 18, 10:30 a.m.

South Lafourche Branch Bingo: May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 10 a.m.

Mother's Day Tea Party: May 6, 5:30 p.m. *Mother's Day Bird Cage Craft: May 13, 10:30 a.m.

Line Dancing: May 14, 2 p.m.

Pokeno: May 19, 2 p.m.

La Table Francaise: May 19, 4 p.m.

Wii Bowling: May 20, 10:30 a.m.

Thibodaux Branch Hip Hop Abs: May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 11 a.m.

LIBLUV Book Club: May 1, 1 p.m. Coroner's Lunch.

Author Meet & Greet with B.J. Bourg: May 2, 10 a.m.

Zumba: May 4, 11 & 18, 4 p.m. *Sensory Olympics: May 13, 1 p.m. Test your senses.

Book Talk with Author June Shaw: May 14, 5:30 p.m.

Pallet Board Coat Rack Craft: May 18, 5 p.m.

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Get fit @ your library Free Exercise Classes

Get Tech Saavy @ Your Library Technology Classes

A Walk in the Park Lockport Branch (at Bayou Side Park) - May 5 & May 19, 10:30 a.m.

Hip Hop Abs Thibodaux Branch - May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 11 a.m.

Line Dancing South Lafourche Branch - May 14, 2 p.m.

Walk Away the Pounds Bayou Blue Branch - May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 4:30 p.m.

Golden Meadow Branch - May 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29, 11 a.m.

Walk the Track Raceland Branch - May 13 & May 27, 10:30 a.m.

Wii Bowling Larose Branch - May 4 & May 18, 10 a.m.

Ask about one-on-one classes at your library or register for these scheduled classes.

Let's Get Tech-y With It - Raceland Branch: May 1, 1 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Stop by anytime during these hours.

South Lafourche Branch - May 20, 10:30 a.m.

Intro to Computers - Thibodaux Branch: May 7, 2 p.m.

- Lockport Branch: May 1 & May 15, 10:30 a.m. Learn about free online tutorials to learn the basics.

Zumba Bayou Blue Branch - May 7, 14, 21 & 28, 5 p.m.

Intro to Excel - Thibodaux Branch:May 14, 2 p.m.

Thibodaux Branch - May 4, 11 & 18, 4 p.m.

Intro to Resume Writing: - Thibodaux Branch: May 21, 2 p.m.

Free Demo Classes Raceland Branch May 22, 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Stop by anytime during these hours.

Thibodaux Branch May 28, 2 p.m.

Ask at your library branch for more info & a demo of Hoopla.

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An * indicates registration is required.

Sign up at the library.

Bayou Blue Branch - Mother's Day Paper Bag Scrapbook Craft: May 6, 4:30 p.m. Ages 10 - 17.

- *3D Doodle Pen Art: May 15, 3 p.m. Ages 10 - 17.

Take your art to a new dimension with the library's 3D Doodle Pen. - *Silhouette Art: May 20, 4:30 p.m. Ages 13 - 17. Make art on canvas or in a picture frame using your silhouette.

- *Glass Etching: May 26, 5 p.m. Ages 13 - 17. Try your hand at glass etching.

- *Duct Tape Wallet Craft: May 7, 4 p.m.

- *LEGO Robotics: May 13, 3:30 p.m. & May 30, 2 p.m.

- LEGO Club: May 16, 2 p.m.

Thibodaux Branch

Choctaw Branch (Ages 10 - 17) - *Poison Pen Journal Craft: May 14, 5 p.m. Ages 11 & up.

- Snack Food Po-Ke-No: May 26, 5 p.m. Play po-ke-no for a chance to win snacks.

Golden Meadow Branch (Ages 10 - 17) -

South Lafourche Branch

Bilingual Bingo: May 7, 5 p.m.

Paper Roll Art: May 14, 5 p.m.

LEGO Time: May 19, 3 - 5 p.m.

Wii Game Day: May 21, 4 - 6 p.m.

Tinker Toy Fun: May 26, 4 - 6 p.m.

Teen & Tween Wii Game Day: May 28, 5 - 6 p.m.

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Anime Fun Day: May 6, 4 p.m. Ages 12 & up. *Origami Bookmark Craft: May 14, 3:30 p.m. *LEGO Robotics: May 16, 10 a.m. & May 27, 4 p.m.

Anime Club: May 20, 4 p.m. Ages 12 & up. *3D Doodle Pen Art: May 22, 4 p.m. Take your art to a new dimension with the library's 3D Doodle Pen. - Wii Dance Party: May 29, 2 p.m.

3Dli b r ar y Pr i nt i ng

Larose Branch - LEGO Builders: May 26 - May 28, during library hours.

- Cuttin' Up Scrapbooking: May 14, 1 - 6:45 p.m.

- *Cuttin' Up Scrapbooking: May 19, 1 - 6:45 p.m.

Lockport Branch - *LEGO Robotics: May 6, 4 p.m. & May 23, 2 p.m.

- DIY Teens: May 12, 4 p.m. Learn the steps to Zen rock art.

- CoderDojo: May 13 & May 28, 4 p.m. Learn a variety of programming languages with a focus on Hackety Hack.

@ y our li b r ar y Lafourche Parish Public Library Library offers 3D printing services to anyone aged 10 and over with a library card in good standing. The cost of plastic printed objects is 10 cents per gram by weight.

Raceland Branch - Seed Ball Ornament Craft: May 14, 5:30 p.m. Provide a snack to nature with a unique twist of creating an ornament of seeds.

- Wii Play: May 19, 5:30 p.m.

- Photo Mats & Frames Craft: May 21, 5:30 p.m.

Don't miss LEGO Robotics at our main branches!

See page 8 for more info.

Tell your library staff how you feel with our new "Staff Stars" boxes!

Are you impressed with staff performance? Let us know by filling out a "Staff Stars" card and leaving it in the star box at your local branch! Can be for an individual or the whole staff!

Congrats to our April Stars: Allison & Heather at the Bayou Blue Branch

Great job to all who received stars this month!

April Highlights GettingCrafty!

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More photo highlights @ your library

Lockport Branch Photo Contest Winner

Attorney and Certified Financial Planner John Sirois

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ByCatherine Ref erence Li brari an

We often talk about new services and exciting technologies that the Lafourche Parish Public Library offers here. There is a good reason for this. The new and exciting grab people?s attention, and the library needs your attention to survive.

Right now though, I find my attention is drawn to something we have that is old and steady, something that has always been very important to me. Libraries offer a safe place in troubling times.

They are a neutral ground for people to find unbiased and uncontrolled information on politics, health, law, and thousands of other subjects. The library record of check outs is private and you can take materials home with you to do your own reserarch, learn, and explore.

In the library world, we constantly hear about how libraries are a dinosaur technology, utterly pointless in a world where the answer to any question can be found with Google. None of us believe it, but the world at large won?t stop saying it.

Of course the internet is a wonderful thing; I use it every day, but there are so many things that a library does that no computer can match.

It?s true that librarians are trained to help you find better answers than whatever someone happened to post on the internet, but to give that fact the credit it deserves is another post?s worth of story.

For me the best thing about libraries has always

been that they are real and solid and there in a way that made me feel safe within those walls as a child, and that feeling didn?t change as I grew up.

When the world got to be too much, I could always count on a library for a quiet corner where no one would question my right to be there. Almost every other public space requires you to be a paying costumer if you want to linger. The library does not care if you have a single cent; you can stay until we close.

I?m as pleased as anybody that we offer the public e-books and streaming services and ways to use the library from your own home, but no one should ever forget that, not far from you, there is a building where you are welcome. While there, you can forget the part of the world that is troubling you and find a piece of it that gives you comfort or hope or inspiration or just something else to think about. Also, remember that that building is filled with people who are determined to make sure that that building will be there for whoever needs it for as long as they can manage. Some services and collections will come and go due to the forces of demand and funds, but the library, both the building and the community that the building represents will endure as long as the staff has anything to say about it.

G ar con's b een at it again...t r aveling, t hat is.

Our library mascot Garcon (and his buddies T-Boy & Sapo) have been busy lately, with international travel to Egypt, England, & Scotland.

Going on a trip? Take him along.

Call the South Lafourche Branch for more info.

Garcon at Stonehenge in England

Garcon at the Library of Alexandria, Egypt with Ms. Nalon from Storytime

Right: Garcon at Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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Get Caught Reading is a nationwide campaign to remind people of all ages how much fun it is to read.

May is Get Caught Reading month, but the campaign is promoted throughout the year. Launched in 1999, "Get Caught Reading" is the brainchild of former Congresswoman Pat Schroeder.

Because of research indicating that early language experience actually stimulates a child's brain to grow and that reading to children gives them a huge advantage when they start school, we hope to encourage people of all ages to enjoy books and magazines and to share that pleasure with the young children in their lives.

Every year celebrities support the initiative by getting "caught reading" their favorite books and magazines for print ads and posters seen by millions of people across the country.

May 4-10, 2015 -- It's the 96th anniversary of Children's Book Week, an annual celebration of books for young people and the joy of reading.

Established in 1919, Children's Book Week is the longest-running national literacy initiative in the country. Children's Book Week originated in the belief that children's books and literacy are life-changers. In 1913, Franklin K. Matthiews, the librarian of the Boy Scouts of America, began touring the country to promote higher standards in children's books. He proposed creating a Children's Book Week, which would be supported by all interested groups: publishers, booksellers, and librarians.

The need for Children?s Book Week today is as essential as it was in 1919, and the task remains the realization of Frederic Melcher?s fundamental declaration: ?A great nation is a reading nation.?

National Literacy Facts - 44 million adults in the U.S. can't read well enough to read a simple story to a child. - National Adult Literacy Survey, U.S. Department of Education

- More than 20 percent of adults read at or below a fifth-grade level - far below the level needed to earn a living wage. National Institute for Literacy, Fast Facts on Literacy

- Children who have not developed some basic literacy skills by the time they enter school are 3 - 4 times more likely to drop out in later years. - National Adult Literacy Survey, U.S. Department of Education Latino Books Month Latino Books Month has been celebrated in May since 2004. This month-long celebration is sponsored by the Association of American Publishers (AAP), which encourages booksellers, librarians, and teachers to promote books by and for Latinos and encourage their communities to read Latino books in both English and Spanish.

- Students who reported having all four types of reading materials (books, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias) in their home scored, on average, higher than those who reporter having fewer reading materials. -The National Center for Education Statistics

- So strong is the link between literacy and being a useful member of society that some states use grade-level reading statistics as a factor in projecting future prison construction. - Bob Chase, President, National Education Association

Check out ebooks, audio books, digital music and movies 24/ 7 at www.lafourche.org.

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