Can you believe we are already three weeks into 2017?
2016 was an amazing year for Lafourche Parish Public Libraries! We were so honored to have been chosen as the Louisiana Library of the Year. This award shows the amazing support we have from you, our customers, who have helped shape us into the library system we are today. Along with our talented and hardworking staff and Board, we have worked tirelessly to bring you the latest in librarianship.
Lafourche Parish Libraries have evolved this past year bringing you even more technology and learning opportunities. Your libraries are gateways to information, learning venues and community hubs; we are MORE THAN BOOKS at Lafourche Parish Public Libraries. We have Lego tables for kids of all ages to enjoy, Xbox 360 gaming systems, an exciting 3D printer, iPads in our libraries for patrons to use, PC and Mac computers for adults and teens. This year we started checking out video games on multiple formats for all ages, and they are flying off the shelves. More Playaway products were also added for checkout: Launchpads- which are hand-held gaming devices, Views- which are preloaded with kids’ videos, Playaway - audio books that are already downloaded to a player all you need are headphones or a speaker and Bookpacks – that have the audio player and a book to follow along with. All of these are popular new formats that remind you how much libraries have evolved in the last several years. We also have DVD’s! There is no need to go to that colored box or an online subscription service because we have them! Get your movies here from us. The library is also constantly adding new workshops and classes including crafting classes, STEM and STEAM opportunities through robotics and Circuit programs, scrapbooking, exercise classes, crochet workshops and that is just a few of the amazing offerings we have for you. Programs change often and we are always looking for new ideas to bring to our patrons. Check out our user-friendly website and calendar for monthly programs.
Your local library is always available through our website at www.lafourche.org, where we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can check out audio books, ebooks, read magazines, watch movies, get homework assistance, and play video games though our new database, OnePlay. We have also added a new search bar at the top of our website that makes researching all we have much easier. With one search, you can see results from every database we have and from all of our collections in every library in the parish – with just one search! If you need individual help, the library offers the Book-a-Librarian program where you can schedule an appointment to get one-on-one assistance from a librarian—whether it is help with your new e-Reader, resume or research help, or computer instruction, we have staff to help - all you have to do is ask.
We are very happy to announce that the Thibodaux branch has a new air-conditioner and heating system installed. Finally, no more hot days in the library. Also, the lift has been installed to get up to the second floor for our patrons that have a difficult time with the staircase. Just see the reference desk for assistance. We also added some much-needed color to some of the walls. (Thanks to all for enduring the constructions days at the Thibodaux branch.) Raceland had more computers installed this year to help meet the needs of their community and Golden Meadow had some construction maintenance done inside the library. We replaced many of our older computers at the South Lafourche branch and have plans to update more.
Libraries are here to enrich the lives of all and I am proud to say that the staff of the Lafourche Parish Library always works tirelessly to meet your needs. Our goal at LPPL has always been to provide quality library services to all Lafourche Parish residents while meeting their educational and entertainment needs. Our unending commitment to our customers and our communities and our willingness to evolve to meet their needs is one of the many reasons we were named Louisiana Library of the Year. Please continue to let us know what you want from your library system in the weeks and years to come. We will continue to change to meet your needs! Remember here at LPPL, we are More Than Books – and we are here for you!