April Librarian’s Lines
Linda LeBert-Corbello
There are many occasions in life when a person can be totally surprised, humbled and shocked! At a Chamber of Commerce Banquet held recently, that sentence would describe me. To my total surprise I was awarded 2016 Employee of the Year for Jefferson Davis Parish. It is with humble gratitude that I can tell the people of this parish that all my work is joy. Coming back to my home parish has allowed me to give back to the parish that formed me educationally, spiritually and definitely as a reader! As a child, I walked to the library in the summer and participated in Summer Reading Programs! We attended schools led by professionals that worked hard to provide the best education possible. Jefferson Davis Parish Schools and Libraries are still on that same quest. I applaud my home parish for what I learned and what I continue to learn from the resourceful and progressive individuals I have come to know so many years later. Thank you for allowing me the joy of giving back through my work to a parish that has and continues to give the best to its citizens. The Library Board of Control and the employees of this library system share in the award. Working together we are constantly trying to keep a collection that meets the needs of all people. Humbly and with sincere gratitude, I thank the Chamber for such an honor.
As we continue to witness the evolution of public libraries, we continue to incorporate so many new programs and offerings of books, e-books, magazines, e-magazines, video games (One-Play) and so much more. Check out our Jefferson Davis Parish Library website and our Facebook page! Recently, when talking with a mother, I discovered that her child did not like to read. I suggested the use of a database on our website: Tumblebooks. Tumblebooks is a site that allows a child to select age appropriate reading materials. The materials are labeled with the AR (Accelerated Reader) points. Additionally, the books can be utilized where the child listens to the story as the words light up on the page. This site would be helpful to any child, no matter the reading capability. All Tumblebook readers enjoy the colorful pictures, music and stories.
A new application was available on March 1, 2017 at Jefferson Davis Library. Many libraries throughout the United States already utilize HOOPLA. HOOPLA has 600,000 items available. All items are available with no holds. Patrons will be allowed six items per month. Time restraints on materials include:
- Videos-3 days (includes television programs & movies)
- Music-7 days
- Audiobooks, eBooks, comic books-21 days
Recently, the staff attended a webinar that explained the process for utilizing the HOOPLA site. The site is user friendly. Each patron will set up their own account and can browse, borrow, play and return materials on their own. Even if you run out of time for completion of enjoying what you checked out, you can borrow again immediately. That is such a great benefit…no waiting.
Denice Sonnier, our technologist, is available to assist patrons with HOOPLA and any other website or database.
Congratulations to the Young Readers Choice Schools!!! Young Readers Choice is a program sponsored by the Louisiana State Library. Librarians and educators select a list of books each year for specific grade levels: Grades 3-5, Grades 6-8 and Grades 9-12. Lorraine Dees, Registrar of Voters, sends her personnel with actual voting machines for the children to vote. Joann Blair validates the poll results. The schools that participated this year included: Fenton, Jennings Elementary, Jennings High School, Lake Arthur Elementary, Lake Arthur High School, Welsh High and Welsh Roanoke. The librarians at these schools are to be commended for fostering an interest in the program. The winners selected at our local level are sent to the State Library. The winners included:
3rd – 5th Grade
Winner : Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate, illus. G. Brian Karas
Honor : I Survived True Stories: Five Epic Disasters by Lauren Tarshis
6th – 8th Grade
Winner : The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
Honor : Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie Lamana
Teen Readers’ Choice
Winner : To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Honor : Don’t Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski
Many thanks to all who participated and to those who assisted in the process. My staff and I visited various schools and were delighted to see the interest of the children and the democratic process!
Looking forward to many more great adventures in our library service for our patrons …contact me at 337-824-1210 with any recommendations or suggestions.
Again, it truly is my joy to be of service to the people of our parish. I love coming to work each and every day!
Be on the lookout for the Summer Reading Schedule. We will distribute to all students through the school system. We will also have flyers available at all libraries. We will have a large ad in the Jennings Daily News. Can you believe summer is coming so fast?
