Category: Uncategorized

Open Data Day and Citizen Data Academy

Each year, International Open Data Day serves as way for governments around the world to highlight the benefits of open data and engage communities in the development of data-driven solutions to common civic challenges.

The City of Baton Rouge hosted a virtual event on Tuesday, March 8, 2022, featuring “lightning talks” with City-Parish leaders who use data daily to improve programs and services and make better decisions in areas like public safety, drainage, stormwater management, blight and code enforcement, health and human services, and more. You can view the recording at brla.gov/opendataday.

Citizen Data Academy

The City-Parish Citizen Data Academy is a free, citizen-focused education and training series Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome launched in 2020. The series connects City-Parish technology and innovation subject-matter experts with Baton Rouge residents, helping participants understand and unlock the full power of City-Parish data — how to find it, what it includes, and how to use it to understand trends and improve quality of life in our community. In 2021, Mayor Broome announced the launch of an on-demand video series designed to take this same information and distill it into short, convenient YouTube video segments that residents can use to navigate the City-Parish’s vast data and GIS resources — regardless of their technical expertise. Access the series at brla.gov/dataacademy

12th Annual Community History Festival

The 12th Annual Community History Festival—At Grandma’s House will be held on Saturday, April 2, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. at the Pride-Chaneyville Branch. The whole family will enjoy a day of FREE country fun, food, games, crafts, and entertainment. The Louisiana Lagniappe Dulcimers and the Upbeats will provide music for the event; the ever-popular, old-fashioned Cake Walk will be held every hour; and there will be an activity based on everything Grandma used to know and do from ancestry to oral histories, gardening, cooking, household hints, sewing, cleaning for company, milking the cow, words of wisdom and more. Come take a step back in time, revisiting the storied past of the Pride-Chaneyville area

One Book, One Community Kickoff Party

Join us this Spring 2022 for our 16th Annual One Book One Community series celebrating the 2006 memoir, Atchafalaya Houseboat by Gwen Roland! Bring the whole family to enjoy delicious food & refreshments, live music from RJ & Kreole Smoove, crafts, & community organizations celebrating Louisiana landscapes, nature, cultural heritage, & more.

For more information about this year’s OBOC selection and a full schedule of events and programs, visit www.ReadOneBook.org

Library Closed for Mardi Gras

All branches of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library will be closed tomorrow, March 1st, for Mardi Gras, and will reopen on Wednesday, March 2nd, for regular hours. The digital library is always open!

Curious about local Mardi Gras history? Check out the Baton Rouge Digital Archive for more images like the one above! We’ve featured a costume design sketch for the 1983 Bal Masque II Queen of the Mystic Krewe of Apollo. You can find many other images of southern Louisiana parades, balls, and costumes from sources like The Advocate Historical Archives and local krewes.

Preserving History: Mardi Gras (recorded lecture)

Louisiana State Archivist Catherine J. Newsome and Archives Exhibit Curator Angela Cinquemano discuss the challenges and rewards of preserving Mardi Gras paraphernalia for future generations, highlighting some of the items on display at the new Mardi Gras exhibit at the State Archives of Louisiana.

To view the recorded lecture, click here. To learn about Mardi Gras history preserved right here at the Main Library on Goodwood, visit the Baton Rouge Room’s infoguide or the Baton Rouge Digital Archive.

African American Read-In

Join us at the Main Library at Goodwood on Saturday, February 26 at 10 a.m. as we participate in the African American Read-In. This national event encourages communities to join together to celebrate African American authors. Participants of all ages will read or recite kid-friendly poems, books, and songs by famous African-Americans. Special guests will include Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and representatives from 100 Black Men. Please call (225) 231-3760 for more information and to register.

21st Century Business Forum: Drew Brees

The Greater Baton Rouge Business Report presents the 21st Century Business Forum, a monthly series featuring America’s top business minds and thought leaders, sponsored by the East Baton Rouge Parish Library and Home Bank.

Former champion quarterback Drew Brees—now a studio analyst for NBC Sports and prolific businessman and investor—shares his insights about leadership and success in this episode of 21st Century Business Forum.
During his athletic career, he amassed an unprecedented collection of records, milestones and accolades—both on and off the field—during a 20-year NFL career as quarterback with the New Orleans Saints and San Diego Chargers. He led the Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV and was named the game’s MVP.
Today, he’s a successful entrepreneur: He’s co-owner of Surge Adventure Parks with 15 locations, and franchise investments in Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Walk Ons Bistreaux & Bar, Happy’s Irish Pub and Stretch Zone, among others. He also serves on the boardsof b1BANK and the equity firm Franworth, and is a global brand ambassador for PointsBet.
The Brees Dream Foundation has contributed more than $45 million to help improve the quality of life for cancer patients and provide care, education and opportunities for children and families in need. In 2006, Brees won the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award, one of the league’s highest honors that recognizes a player for his excellence on and off the field.
To register for this FREE virtual event, visit businessforumusa.com/batonrouge

If you’re a current or aspiring entrepreneur, we know you’ll benefit from the Library’s FREE resources for businesses including Gale Entrepreneurship articles, Newsbank, EBSCO, Sage Researcher and more! Visit the Digital Library at ebrpl.com/DigitalLibrary to explore.