Book Premieres: Louisiana Short Stories

Join the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge on Sunday, February 11, 2-4 p.m., for the premiere
of Louisiana Short Stories: An Anthology from America’s Most Storied State. This book was
the culmination of ACGBR’s fall Creative Aging Writers’ Workshop, facilitated by award winning author, Rannah Gray. The Louisiana-based short stories reflect the culture and resiliency of the state
and its people written by the 20 participants, all age 55 and older. The diverse group was a mixture of previous workshop participants and first-timers, including six PhDs. Copies of the book will be available at the event and are also available on Amazon.com. Proceeds benefit the Arts Council of Greater Baton Rouge, which provides resources and support to artists and arts organizations in 11 parishes.

Edible Book Festival

The Edible Book Festival is an international celebration of books, food, and bad puns! In conjunction with the Library’s 2024 One Book One Community selection, Tasting History, the 3rd annual Edible Book Festival will be held during the One Book One Community Kickoff Party on Friday, March 8, 5-7 p.m., at the Main Library at Goodwood. Participants are invited to choose a book and create an edible representation of its title or wordplay on its title. Join us as we gather to view the bookish fare concocted to amuse, amaze, or, yes, even disgust onlookers and fellow participants. Vote for your favorites in categories such as Best in Show, Wittiest Wordplay, Least Appetizing and more! Winners will be announced at 6:45 p.m. and prizes will be awarded! To submit an entry, just bring your punny, edible creation to the Library on Friday, March 8 between 4 and 4:30 p.m. to be displayed! Here are a few previous winners. Can you “beet” them? Come on, “cake” a chance! Give us something to “taco” ‘bout! “Gouda” luck!

Press Start

East Baton Rouge Parish Library’s Press Start! Ready, Set, Read! program equips children ages 2-4 with early literacy skills that will enable them to enter kindergarten with confidence! Parents and caregivers can stop by the Children’s Room of any Library location to pick up a booklet full of
fun activities that focuses on beginner reading and math concepts. Children start with Booklet One, work their way through the program at their own pace, and earn rewards along the way. Each monthly Press Start booklet:

  • Features a new letter, number, color or concept
  • Follows state curriculum guidelines for children ages 2-4
  • Includes simple activities to incorporate into your daily routine
  • Highlights community events for kids
  • Offers helpful parenting tips
  • Recommends books for reading to your child
    This month’s Press Start! booklet is brought to you by the letter U; the number 18; and the concepts, Soft/Hard!

2024 One Book One Community Pick: Tasting History by Max Miller

Come explore the past through 4,000 years of recipes! From Babylon, circa 1740 BC, all the way to 20th century U.S.A, immerse yourself in cultures and cuisine! Join us this spring in reading our 2024 One Book One Community selection, Max Miller’s Tasting History! The 18th annual One Book One Community initiative will highlight Miller’s book as well as many other culinary and historical programs for all ages throughout the Library system. It all begins with a FREE Kickoff Party for the whole family on Friday, March 8, 5-7 p.m., at the Main Library at Goodwood, featuring live
music by RJ & Zydeco Smoove, free food, children’s activities, community organizations, and more!
The six-week celebration will culminate in a special presentation by Max Miller at the Main Library at Goodwood in April. For more information, please visit here.

George Washington Carver

Celebrate African American Read-In with the Carver Branch on Tuesday, February 27 at 4:30 p.m. by listening to George Washington Carver by Katie Marsico. Afterwards, we’ll talk about other famous African Americans, then ply bingo to reinforce what we learned. Refreshments will be served. Registration is required. To register, please call 389-7440.

Group Tai Chi Classes

Join us for free, hour-long Tai Chi sessions and meet friends through group practice. Together with the Tai Chi Club, we will explore the yin and yang of mind-body and find the way of nature in Tai Chi. By the end of the series you will have learned a full Tai Chi routine to practice on your own and share with people around you. This month’s sessions will take place on Sunday, February 25 at 6 p.m. Wear flat shoes and comfortable clothes!

Write Time! with Boo Milton

Join us on Monday, February 26 at 6 p.m. at the Main Library at Goodwood for Write Time!, a FREE poetry and general creative writing session for adults ages 18-33. Beginners and seasoned writers will enjoy creating poems and spoken word pieces while connecting with other creatives. This event is hosted by media personality Boo Milton with a live DJ and refreshments. And mark your
calendar for next month’s Write Time! session on Monday, March 25 at 6 p.m.! Register for any or all of these monthly sessions here or by emailing programs@ebrpl.com.

Books and Music with the Kids’ Orchestra Feb. 24

Collect new musical skills! Discover new library books! Learn new dance steps! Kids’ Orchestra invites children, ages 5-11, to an experiential program that combines library books with music education. Each month, children will explore a theme as they learn about an instrument, sing a song, explore a dance, and play a game – all inspired by a book in the East Baton Rouge Parish Library collection. Books & Music is celebrating this carnival season by placing a spotlight on “When the Saints Go Marching in,” a traditional spiritual that you are very likely to hear during February in Louisiana. You might also hear it at a New Orleans Saints football game. Brass bands in parades often play this melody. Come see Ashley Bryan’s beautiful illustrations in the book Let It Shine. Also, play a partner song game, meet a professional musician, and practice solfege syllables and hand signs. What are those? Come and fi nd out!! See below for opportunities to attend this fun program! All children under the age of 9 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required.

Saturday, February 24 at 11 a.m. – Jones Creek Regional Branch

Crotchet Basics

Crotchet is the skill and hobby of interlocking yarn using a small hook. Come join other adults at the Delmont Gardens Branch on Tuesday, February 20 at 4 p.m. to learn the basics of crochet. All skill levels are welcome and supplies are provided! Learn how to construct your first chain stitch. Registration is required. To register, call 354-7050 or visit here.

Train Time

Preschoolers ages 2-5 are welcome at the Pride-Chaneyville Branch on Tuesday, February 20 at 11 a.m. for readings of Trains by Mary Lindeen and Trains Run! by George Ella Lyon and Beth Lyon. Afterwards, we’ll play with Start-Up Circuits and Mega Bloks, plus glue shapes together to make a train picture. Registration is required. To register, please call 658-1560.