Library’s “All Together Now” Summer Program Has Something For Everyone 

Jared Kattengell of Katt Forge.

When it comes to summer activities at the St. Bernard Parish Library it is ‘Summer Reading for All!’ and ‘All for Summer Reading!’. Plans are underway for the 2023 All Together Now reading event designed to promote leisure reading as a great pastime as well as encourage regular library use. Library friends of all ages can mark their calendars for lots of library fun including story craft programs, special community visitors, teen and tween workshops, guest artists and readers, and more. Grab & Go registration bags will be available beginning May 30th and the first 100 families who register will receive a Super Summer Reader yard sign. The All Together Now summer program has something for everyone and the library’s staff is looking forward to celebrating reading and libraries with area residents at its main branch located at 2600 Palmisano Blvd, in Chalmette. A calendar of events will be included in the Grab & Go registration bags and is posted on the library’s Facebook page.

In addition to attending weekly programs, readers of all ages will have activity sheets to complete in order to be entered into the library’s end-of-summer-reading prize drawing. Lots of community sponsors have stepped up to show their support of the library’s popular program by donating coupons, gift certificates, services, museum passes, and special programming. Sponsors to date include Audubon Institute, Coffee House, Crave, Facials by Skin Diva, Gulf Coast Bank, Home Depot, Infinity Science Center, Kiwanis of St. Bernard-Arabi, Louisiana State Energy Office, McDonald’s of St. Bernard, Mudbug’s Snow Balls, National WWII Museum, New Orleans Paddlewheels, P.J.’s Coffee, Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers, Simply Marvelous Nutrition, Splash Express Car Wash, St. Bernard Parish Fire Department and Wow’s Café & Wingery. The St. Bernard Parish Library is very grateful for the support these businesses and organizations have shown the library. Our summer readers are richly rewarded by the generosity of all of our sponsors.

The library’s Summer with the Arts series which is comprised of visiting artists’ performances that take place on Fridays and our Teen and Tween programming which happens on Thursdays are being made possible by generous grants and donations. The library has been awarded a Louisiana Project Grant funded by the Louisiana Division of the Arts, Office of Cultural Development, Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, in cooperation with the Louisiana State Arts Council, as administered by the St. Tammany Commission on Cultural Affairs. Funding has also been provided by the National Endowment for the Arts. St. Bernard Parish residents, Arlette and Wayne Nunez, longtime supporters of the library’s youth activities, have also shown their support by making an annual donation that is matched by Shell Oil’s Gifting Program. The St. Bernard Parish Library is deeply honored to receive these much-needed funds. These grants and gifts make it possible for the library to offer this type of programming free of charge, close to home, in a safe environment for everyone to enjoy.

Making our world a better place and starting our summer off right is our kick-off event sponsored by our local McDonald’s and the Valluzzo Companies. The McDonald’s Mini Fun Fair has become a favorite event since its inception in 2018. Participants will have the chance to win prizes, play games, take pictures, and snack on delicious McDonald’s chocolate chip cookies and punch on Tuesday, May 30th starting at 11 a.m. and continuing through 1 p.m. The library is extremely proud to have the continued support of our local McDonald’s for the past three decades. They are the library’s longest-standing sponsor donating, literally, thousands and thousands of coupons to readers of all ages over the years. Our local McDonald’s goes above and beyond when it comes to our readers with their generous donation of both food and beverage coupons and staff time. St. Bernard is one of only a few parishes that can lay claim to such steadfast support of its readers and efforts. 

Jared Kattengell of Katt Forge.

We’re making friends and sharing stories at our very first story craft program set for Wednesday, March 31st at 11 a.m. This free hour-long event will celebrate friendship and include stories, poems, songs, a craft, and whatever else we can think of to have fun together. Programming is geared for children ages 3 and up, but all ages are welcome! All craft materials are provided. Parents may need to assist younger children with some crafts. The library’s Summer with the Arts series gets started with our first Teen and Tween event set for Thursday, June 1st at 11:30 a.m. Jared Kattengell of Katt Forge will present a blacksmithing demonstration for kids ages 9 and up. Jared is a local artist who began metalworking in 2016. His skill has grown over the past seven years and he is now known as the ‘unofficial blacksmith of St. Bernard. Jared can often be seen at area fairs and festivals, both as a vendor and demonstrator. As president of the Gulf Coast Blacksmith Association, he participates in demonstrations, leads workshops for budding smithing apprentices, and can be found sharing his love of metalworking with anyone interested in learning more. The library’s Teen and Tween events are scheduled so that our older readers can enjoy programming geared just for them without the interruptions younger children can sometimes cause. We encourage all of our families to be mindful of the age requirements. Bringing our first week to a close is everyone’s favorite comedy team—Harvey Rabbit and Friends. Laura and Tim Allured will be at the library for a 3 p.m. show that is guaranteed to have audience members laughing until it hurts. Things are sure to get a little crazy when Harvey the Rabbit and his friends Cecil and T-Boy show up for this free hour-long event. The Harvey Rabbit and Friends is time-tested and audience approved and is a favorite show of libraries and schools throughout Louisiana. Souvenir autographed postcards and DVDs will be available for purchase following Harvey’s performance.

Harvey Rabbit and Friends.

Our theme of ‘All Together Now’ won’t truly fit our program unless ALL of the library’s friends come out and take part in our six weeks of fun and reading. Make sure you stop by the library beginning May 30th to get your Grab & Go registration bag and join in the fun! For more info, please call us at 504-279-0448, visit our website at mysbpl.org, or follow us on Facebook.

Harvey Rabbit and Friends.
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