Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, March and April 2020 One Book One Community events have been cancelled.
Please visit EBRPL.com for updates on when East Baton Rouge Parish Library events, programs, and public gatherings will resume.
See an event you were really hoping to attend? Please email Jessica McDaniel at jmcdaniel@ebrpl.com to let her know or for general questions about OBOC programming.
Main Library at Goodwood
TED Talk Screenings
Fairwood Branch
Scotlandville Branch
Zachary Branch
Have you ever thought about starting your own podcast, but don’t know where to even begin? We can help! Join us at the Main Library on Goodwood as we learn about how to get a podcast started; from creating your concept to learning about the equipment, we’ll cover it all! All materials will be provided during the program.
Bluebonnet Regional Branch
[This event has been CANCELED] Curious about the naturalization process? Nervous about the U.S. Citizenship test and interview? U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites you to join the conversation at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 12th. USCIS representatives will be available to answer your questions about the naturalization process and what you need to become a U.S. Citizen.
High Five Book Club at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch at 4:30 p.m. Thursday, March 19th will share books related to immigrant experiences--discussing unfamiliar events and the feelings experienced by the characters, then decorating their very own journal. Children ages 11 and under can choose from: Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai; One Good Thing About America by Ruth Freeman; Maggie's Amerikay by Barbara Timberlake Russell; or The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman.
Children ages 4 - 11 can visit the Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21st to learn about Nigeria through interactive crafts and puzzles using the book, The Countries We Come From: Nigeria by Rachel Anne Cantor.
The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleishman is the story of an Italian immigrant who kept mementos of his life in matchboxes. After reading the book, children 11 and under will learn to fold a box to hold their own treasures at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21st.
Children ages 7 - 11 can Journey Across Africa at the Central Branch 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 23rd, where they'll make passports to fill out with fun facts about the countries in Africa.
The Big Umbrella Storycraft at 10:30 a.m. & 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25th at the Zachary Branch.
5 famous internet superstars will be passing through the local airport and we really want to get our picture taken with our favorite. There's only one problem, they are traveling incognito! Can you and your friends unravel the clues and figure out which person is which before the airplane leaves? Join us for an escape-room-like puzzle and interesting facts about Nigeria! Registration is required and limited to 16 children. Ages 9-11. Saturday, April 11 at 2:30 p.m. at the Main Library at Goodwood.
Join us at the Kickoff Party!
6 p.m. Saturday, March 7th, 2020
Main Library at Goodwood
Meet with local organizations and enjoy delicious refreshments and a live musical performance by I Am I!
I Am I is an eclectic cast of characters composed of dancers, percussionists, singers, and other creatives consciously stirring the Spirit and spreading positive vibrations throughout the community. The collective is based in Lafayette, LA with members coming from all over. Members of I Am I come from various backgrounds (actors, stage performers, entrepreneurs, clergy, combat veterans, and more) and have studied under drummers and dancers well-versed in the cultures and customs of Africa, the Americas, other places around the world. I Am I is rooted in the principles, customs, traditions, and rituals of our Honored Ancestors. They manifest peace to all and hope to share vibes with you soon. 'I am who I say I am!'
Blogging in the Boot [This event has been CANCELED]
Curious about blogging? A panel of local bloggers will be held at the Main Library at Goodwood at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 15th featuring:
Fairwood Branch
Join us for these events at the Main Library at Goodwood, courtesy of the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI):
Civic Engagement & the 2020 Census with LORI [This event has been CANCELED]
7 p.m. Sunday, March 22nd
Representatives from LORI will discuss the value of civic engagement for our community and how the 2020 Census plays a role. The presentation will cover topics on voter sensitization, knowing your rights, the need to run for office, and why it is important for all Louisiana families to be counted.
U.S. Citizenship & Global Voices: Kids Lost in Transition [This event has been CANCELED]
3 p.m. Sunday, April 5th
Curious about immigration journeys and U.S. Citizenship? Join us for a presentation by LORI on how to become a U.S. Citizen and the benefits of Naturalization, followed by a panel discussion on Global Voices: Kids Lost in Transition. The panel, comprised of New American High School and College students, will discuss the obstacles young immigrants and refugees face in their new communities, schools, and surroundings.
One Community Dialogue with LORI
3 p.m. Sunday, April 26th
We invite you to join LORI for a One Community Dialogue (OCD) at the Main Library at Goodwood at 3pm Sunday, April 26. The LORIOCD will be a safe learning space dedicated to empower and uplift African Americans, Africans from the Diaspora, and other vulnerable communities by strengthening our knowledge and understanding of each other. This interactive panel discussion will allow participants and attendees to view the world through the lens of our vulnerable communities, learn about their struggles, and discuss possible solutions to bridge the gaps, exploring topics such as the Refugee Resettlement Landscape, Refugee and Immigrant Storytelling, Anti-Blackness, public safety, running for public office, and more.
LORI Author Talk with Morenike Famuyide
6 p.m. Monday, April 27th
In partnership with the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI), join us for a talk with Nigerian-born, Baton Rouge author Morenike Famuyide. A businesswoman by training, her love for writing poems and working with children led her to create her own stories to share. Under the name, Morenike Bolujoko, she’s written two children’s books, Moosy and Bisi’s Wonderful World: Childhood Tales, and a non-fiction book, Beautiful New Dawn: Reflections, Meditations and Guide to a Meaningful Life.
In celebration of traveling to new lands, teens 12-18 can create art from old maps. Come to the Central Branch on 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18th to make silhouette art using maps!
Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch at 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21st: Sincerely, The Invisible Girl by Antonia Harris - Discuss the book with the author during a live podcast!
Create identity boards at the Zachary Branch at 5 p.m. Thursday, April 2nd!
Get on the same page and join us at an Americanah book discussion!
Looking for more book discussions? Check out these:
[This event has been CANCELED] Going natural? Your East Baton Rouge Parish Library wants to help you on the journey! It does not matter what stage of transitioning from relaxed or processed hair to a natural curl pattern you are, we’d like you to join us at the Greenwell Springs Road Regional Branch at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18th for the Natural Hair Support Group meeting. We’ll discuss topics like deciding whether to big chop or not, maintenance, hairstyles and techniques, products and more. Come express the joys and frustrations of the journey with others in the city and make some new friends along the way! This group is open to adults and teens.
Learn about natural hair and receive tips and tricks to add to your daily routine at the Jones Creek Regional Branch at 3 p.m. Saturday, April 4th.
The 2020 Census is here! Every 10 years, the U.S. Census Bureau counts every U.S. resident, as mandated in the U.S. Constitution. This count is used help determine how federal funding is allocated and how legislative districts are shaped. A representative from the U.S. Census Bureau will be at the Main Library at Goodwood at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday March 11th and 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31st [This date has been CANCELED] to answer your questions about what to expect and how your community counts on you!
[This event has been CANCELED] At the Main Library at Goodwood at 7 p.m. Sunday, March 22nd, the Louisiana Organization for Refugees & Immigrants (LORI) will discuss the value of civic engagement for our community and how the 2020 Census plays a role. The presentation will cover topics on voter sensitization, knowing your rights, the need to run for office, and why it is important for all Louisiana families to be counted.
Are you from another country, state, or city? Do you have a unique story to tell about moving to Baton Rouge? Join us at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch for an informal interview where we will record your story for you to hand on to your friends and family and be featured in our Oral History archives.
Taste of Nigeria: Jollof Rice: Join us at the Jones Creek Regional Branch at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21st to learn about Nigeria through a cooking demo of its delicious cuisine.
Gele Head Wrap Crafts Demo: Attendees will observe a presentation of a Gele, a traditional Nigerian head-tie, and learn how to style their heads with beautiful fabrics at 6:30 p.m. Monday, March 23rd at the Jones Creek Regional Branch.
Attend a Nigerian Culture Celebration at the Scotlandville Branch at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 28th.
Learn how to create African Dolls using various fabrics:
Do you have a creative eye for fashion? Showcase your favorite works and learn about the diversity of different cultures at the Culture Fashion Show at 6;30 p.m. Thursday, April 30th at the Jones Creek Regional Branch.
