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We’re coming to you live! This year, the Mid City Micro-Con will be a fully online virtual event that you can attend from your very own internet-capable device for absolutely free, primarily through YouTube Live. You’ll be able to watch for free without an account, or use your Google account to sign in and chat. Here are some of the things you can look forward to:

• Panels!
• Workshops!
• Special guests!
• Creator highlights!
• Endless possibilities!

We’re still working on making this event the best it can possibly be, so watch the Mid City Micro-Con 2020 infoguide or follow us on Facebook for updates! Make sure to attend the con on Saturday, August 29th.

City Key is a resource that provides Baton Rouge leadership with information on the city’s health, size, and almost every other matrix out there. As part of Mayor Sharon Weston Broome’s efforts to establish a Committee on Racial Equity and Inclusion (COREI), there is now a page for relevant facts about the diverse community of Baton Rouge and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Learn from hard data on income levels, poverty, life expectancy, and more. Visit the Black Lives Matter page of Baton Rouge City Key today.

Yesterday we celebrated the 244th US Independence Day. That’s a lot of history! Check out these resources for primary source documents and all kinds of information on the American Revolution or your favorite historical event:

Biblioboard – Your favorite source for indie authors is also a repository of open access information of all kinds! You can search by topic or name, or just browse their modules until you find something that seems neat. Go exploring!

CultureGrams – Bored of your own backyard? CultureGrams has information on every country, including recipes, fashion, and even recordings of national anthems.

The Vogue Archives and Women’s Wear Daily Archives – Vogue has been in publication since 1892, and Women’s Wear Daily began in 1910. If you have any interest in fashion, trends in public opinion, marketing, product design, and/or so much more, these are an invaluable resource. You can read a piece of history from cover to cover without even leaving your house.

These are just a few of the historical digital resources available to your library card. Head to the Digital Library and find out something new about something old.

Summer’s hitting pretty hard, so get yourself and even your kids set up with online courses from Lynda. Learn all kinds of cool skills, from the practical (coding, Microsoft Office products, and more!) to the artistic (photography, guitar, drawing). Here’s what’s popular in Baton Rouge this month:

1. Maya 2020 Essential Training
2. Revit 2020: Essential Training for Architecture (Imperial)
3. Illustrator 2020 One-on-One: Fundamentals
4. Drawing Vector Graphics Laboratory
5. Learning Bash Scripting
6. Photoshop 2020 Essential Training: The Basics
7. Linux: Email Services
8. CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) Cert Prep: 4 Making TCP/IP Work
9. Administrative Professional Tips
10. Maya 2019 Essential Training

It’s free with your library card!

In case you missed it, last night we were lucky enough to host a Facebook Live chat with bestselling author Gail Carriger! The creator of the world of the Parasol Protectorate and several others, Gail Carriger is known for a delightful blend of humor and steampunk. Excellent librarian Heather Barnes of the Fairwood Branch spoke to her about her research process, her favorite parts of archaeology (her former career), and the best ways to spend quarantine. Check it out on our Facebook page, or below!

You can find of Gail Carriger’s books in our online catalog.

Gale Business: Plan Builder is a great resource for planning your small business. If your business was affected by the pandemic, or if you just want to be better prepared for the future, check out this free resource with your library card!

Gale Business: Plan Builder guides you through all of the major decisions and variables you need to identify to be solidly ready for whatever comes your way. You can start off with the Entrepreneur Worksheet, and note strengths, weaknesses, and people who can help:

Then work on financial projections, and see exactly what you’ll need to do to make a profit or increase your growth:

Need help, or want advice on any of your other business-related questions? Reach out to your small business services support team! We’re happy to help.

Even though many places are starting to open up again, it’s still safest at home. But that doesn’t mean you have to be bored while you’re there! We’ve got tons of resources for learning and fun in the Digital Library. New to the wonderful world of online goodies? Check out our video tutorials with Niche Academy! You’ll find quick explanations of how to get started with programs like CreativeBug, a wonderful arts and crafts database, to our virtual summer reading program, and so much more. Go find your new favorite internet hang-out!

We aren’t doing in-person programs right now, but did you know that we do lots of virtual programs every day? Lots of branches also have crafts you can pick up and take home! Check out this small selection of super satisfying stuff:

• Jones Creek Branch, all week – Take-and-Make Father’s Day Card
• Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch, all week – Take-and-Make Origami
• Central Branch, all week – Take-and-Make Washi Tape Bookmark
• Your House, Wednesday, June 17th, 1pm – Speech Therapy at Home with Exceptional Lives; register online!
• Your House, Wednesday, June 17th, 2:30pm – Virtual Poetry Seminar with Donney Rose; call the Teen Department at (225) 231-3770 to register!

You can find these and literally dozens of other fun things to do in the comfort of your own home on our online calendar! What will you sign up for?

Special Collections invites you to contribute your pictures, videos, and audio to the Red Stick @ Home Exhibit.  We want to see how your life has changed since the Stay at Home Order was put into effect.  Have you picked up a new hobby? Do you wear a mask to the grocery store? Are you working from home? What kinds of activities are the kids into? Fill out this simple submission form, and an archivist with approve the content to be uploaded to the exhibit. To donate physical materials, please contact Special Collections at (225) 231-3752 for information.

Here are some ways you can contribute to this project:

1. Create a journal or personal narrative: This can be handwritten, digital, or video.  The journal/personal narrative should address how the stay-at-home order has effected your normal routine.  Here are some topics to focus on:
   • How are you and your close ones implementing social distancing
   • Using face masks and other personal hygiene practices
   • Activities to occupy the time
   • Employment situation
   • Schooling
   • Generally how your schedule has changed
2. Take photographs or videos: Photographs and videos can be captured using your smartphone or tablet devices.  From these, you can create digital or physical photo albums or scrapbooks. 
3. Create art, music, or writings related to the pandemic: This can be analog or digital art forms.
4. Use the hashtag #RedStickatHome when you post on your public Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter accounts: Private posts and accounts will not be collected.
5. Set aside items for a Covid-19 time capsule: If you create a time capsule be sure to register it with the Library so future generations will know where to find it and when it should be opened.
6. Gather any letters and emails you’ve sent or received during this time period that reflect how you and others have dealt with isolation: These can be either analog or digital items.

The East Baton Rouge Parish Library thanks you for your contributions!

Though many businesses and public services are starting to open up (including the library!), it’s still important to socially distance and stay home as much as possible. Learn something online with Lynda while you’re there! Here are the ten most popular courses right here in EBR this month:

1. 1. Drawing Vector Graphics Library
   2. Excel 2019 Essential Training
   3. Excel Essential Training (Office 365)
   4. Revit 2020: Essential Training for Architecture (Imperial)
   5. Photoshop 2020 Essential Training: The Basics
   6. Power BI Essential Training
   7. Linux: Email Services
   8. Administrative Professional Tips
   9. CompTIA Network+ (N10-007) Cert Prep: 4 Making TCP/IP Work
   10. Excel 2016: Essential Training