by Jeanni Ritchie
One of my favorite jobs ever was as a public children’s and YA librarian after I left the classroom. I always said it was my favorite parts of teaching (kids, parents, storytime, skits, summer reading) without the stress of testing. I had assistants to prepare materials and was “required” to read kid books, blog, buy $4000 worth of books and movies each month, and play with kids all day. It was amazing!
One of the best parts of a library is that everything is FREE! Books, audiovisuals, and computer classes don’t cost a penny. It is one of the most underutilized community offerings around. There’s a plethora of programming each month. Visit rpl.org for the complete Event Guide.
Here are a few December highlights:
Teens: Get the teens out of the house and to the library during the Christmas break. The MLK Jr branch has a Teen Book Tasting Book Club where they thoughtfully dissect a book each month followed by a craft. This month they are reading Fade by Lisa McMann as well as discussing the books they’d like to read in 2025. This group meets Dec. 11 from 4-5.
A teen book club also meets at the Libuse branch Dec. 17 from 6-7 PM. Book: A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus.
Over at the Main Library, teens have a Dungeons & Dragons quest every other Friday from 3-5 PM. The next meeting is December 13. The same program is available at the MLK branch on Dec. 18 from 3-5 PM as well.
Westside has a book club for teens on Dec. 6, J.W. McDonald is hosting a teen holiday party on Dec. 13, MLK Jr is making cookies at the Teen Cuisine event on Dec. 18 and creating a snow-themed paint scene on Dec. 23, and the Johnson branch hosts its teen craft with paint AND yarn on Dec. 28.
Children: SANTA IS COMING!! Get the kids as excited as Buddy the Elf by bringing them to see Santa at one of the RPL branches. It’s free and you can take your own photos! Beginning Saturday, Dec. 7 from 10:30 AM- Noon at the JW McDonald branch until Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Johnson branch, there are four other visits in between at Westside, Robertson, Alfred Boyce, and Martin. Check with your local branch or online for dates/times.
Most branches have grab & go craft packets as well as weekly storytime and craft programs. One that I’d treasure the most this month is Christmas Fingerprint Ornaments at the JW McDonald branch December 10 from 3:30-4:30 PM. This is the ornament that you put on your tree for years, long after those little fingers have grown. Space is limited so call 318-748-4848 to register.
Families: Holidays are all about making memories and RPL is making sure your family has plenty of opportunities to do just that.
Games and Hot Cocoa (two of my favorite things!) will be hosted at 7 different branches this month. Check out Hineston’s Dec. 17 event from 4-5 PM. This program is for all ages and the first one is at the Robertson branch on Dec. 2.
Picture-perfect selfies are all the rage at the MLK branch. Holiday backdrops are available throughout the month of December. Bring in the family and snap your holiday photos free of charge.
On December 18 from 10 AM- Noon the Libuse Branch has a Holiday Sweet Swap. Bring a dozen or more of your favorite treat and swap for each cookie/dessert you bring. These are so much fun! I used to bring three dozen different desserts home to my kids each year, trading my famous nut clusters for new recipes. We’d then play Food Network and judge at our dining room table! Space is limited so call 318-443-7259 or visit rpl.org to register online.
The MLK Jr branch (a superstar in the RPL system) also has board games and video games during their Bits & Boards Dec. 17 from 3-5 PM.
Another fun food event that I always enjoy (despite being terrible at) is Gingerbread House Making. Westside Regional hosts theirs on Dec. 14 from 10:30-11:30 AM and Libuse holds theirs Dec. 19 from 9-10 AM. Both require registration.
Adults: Drop those kids off with grandma or hire a sitter for a few hours to be around people who come past your knees. It’s a time to remember what grown-up conversation sounds like.
These programs are also great for seniors needing socialization or caregivers who need a little break out of the house.
There are so many options. Cooking classes, holiday crafts, book clubs, tea time, sip and paint, healthy eating, fitnesses classes, and genealogy clubs meet this month. Check with your local branch for an Event Guide.
Here are the 2 that jumped out at me!
Holiday Centerpiece Workshop, Westside Regional Library, Dec. 5, 1-3 PM. Presented by the Alexandria Garden Club, you’ll create your own stunning holiday centerpiece. All materials provided; no experience necessary. Registration required.
Self-Care Saturday, Martin Library, Dec. 7, 10-11 AM. A DIY workshop where you create bath bombs, body scrubs, and the like. A hot bath is in my daily self-care ritual and those pampering products are a necessity. What a cool program!
Check out one or more of these events. And remember, my list barely scratches the surface of all the Rapides Parish Library branches have to offer. Visit your local branch or rpl.org to learn more.
Jeanni Ritchie is a former educator and librarian. She can be reached at jeanniritchie54@gmail.com.
