2015 was a very busy year for BPL. The crown jewel the beautiful new award winning Tooke Memorial Library in Koran. Mark Prevot reported “Prevot Design Services won the AIA Shreveport Honor Award at the annual Design Awards Banquet for the design of the Anna P. Tooke Memorial Library in Koran, Louisiana.” Congratulations!
More programs and special events were created for adults, young adults, and children. Hours of operation were extended at the Benton, Haughton, Plain Dealing, and Tooke branches. All in an effort to meet the growing demands within the parish. The result has been an increase in the number of patron visits, computer usage, database usage, and the total number of materials circulated.
The Friends of BPL raised money for library programs and equipment. They hosted two garden parties one in the spring and one in the fall. Year round they accept memberships and donations to support the library, all of which is tax deductible.
New online services and resources were added: Research Databases Oxford African American Studies Center; new practice tests on the BPL website; free driver’s education practice tests; ProCitizen practice tests for the Naturalization Test; new EBSCO Databases hobbies and crafts; Reference Center; Legal Information Reference Center; Small Business Reference Center; Flipster magazines; Westlaw Online; and Value Line.
Forming partnerships is an effective way to raise awareness of both community and library services. BPL and Legal Services of North Louisiana worked together to bring free legal clinics to the public; and AARP Income Tax Services provides free tax help. Sci-Port passes are available for check out through BPL. And, free blood pressure screenings were offered by the Northwestern School of Nursing. Other alliances include the U.S Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program, Food Bank of Northwest Louisiana, and Porter’s Cleaners Coats for Kids.
All in all, 2015 was a very prosperous year for BPL. Thank you for supporting your library.
Libraries Transform! Gateway to the past, Bridge to the Future!
Make a note:
Monday, January 18—Closed for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
Aulds Library 742-2337
Wed., Jan. 6 at 1p.m. for ages K—8th grade, Homeschool
Sat., Jan. 9 at 11a.m. for all ages, Dinosaur Party
Benton 965-2751
Thurs., Jan. 7 from 4—5p.m. for ages 6—12 Got Science?—Registration required
Sat., Jan. 9 at 11a.m. for ages 2—12 PJs & Popcorn Movie Day—Registration required
Bossier Central 746-1693
Thur., Jan. 14 from 9a.m.—4p.m. in the Conference Room—Legal Services of N. La. Free clinic
Tues., Jan. 12 from 4—5p.m. for teens Plastic Bag Art Program
Haughton 949-0196
Tues., Jan. 5 from 3—4p.m. for ages 5 and up Lego Club
Fri., Jan. 8 at 10a.m. for all ages—“Playing Hooky” Crochet Club
New Books
Fiction
“The Relic Master” by Christopher Buckley
“Our Spoons Came from Woolworths” by Barbara Comyns
“Dictionary of Mutual Understanding” by Jackie Copleton
“The Burned Bridges of Ward, Nebraska” by Eileen Curtright
“The Clasp” by Sloane Crosley
“Paradise City” by Elizabeth Day
“Obsession Falls” by Christina Dodd
“Julia’s Daughters” by Colleen Faulkner
“All the Difference” by Leah Ferguson
“Beautiful Storm” by Barbara Freethy
Nonfiction
“Staying Sharp” by Henry Emmons, MD
“How to Entertain, Distract, and Unplug Your Kids!” by Matthew Jervis
“Brunch @ Bobby’s” by Bobby Flay
“After Cancer Care” by Gerald M. Lemole
“The Complete Poetry” by Maya Angelou
“My Southern Journey” by Rick Bragg
“Everyone is Italian on Sunday” by Rachael Ray
“2015 Annual Recipes” by Southern Living
“Waste Free Kitchen Handbook” by Dana Gunders
“Horses: The Illustrated Guide to Breeds” by Susan McBane
Vickie Hardin is Associate Director of Public Relations for Bossier Parish Library. She can be reached at vhardin@bossierlibrary.org