🎉📚 500 Minutes and Counting! 📚🎉

Please help us congratulate Luke and Esther on reaching an incredible 500 minutes of reading—and counting! 🌟🏆

We are so proud of their dedication to Summer Reading and the enthusiasm they've shown all season long. Every page... read is another step toward new adventures, new discoveries, and new achievements! 📖🌱✨

🏆 500-minute reading milestone achieved
📚 Outstanding dedication to reading
🌟 More adventures still ahead

We would also like to extend a heartfelt thank you to The TMM Project for helping make this summer so special. 🎭🦉💚

From laughter-filled performances to unforgettable memories, they brought joy, excitement, and energy to our libraries across the parish. We truly cannot thank them enough for all the summer fun they shared with our patrons, staff, and even Owlbert! 🦉🎉

Thank you, TMM Project, for helping make Summer Reading 2026 one to remember!

#PlantASeedRead #SummerReading #RapidesParishLibrary #500MinuteReader #ReadersGrow #TMMProject #LibraryFun #SummerReading2026 📚🌱🎭🦉

🇺🇸⭐ Join Us for a Special Dedication Ceremony ⭐🇺🇸

The Rapides Parish Library invites the community to attend the unveiling and dedication of a new Bronze Braille American Flag, a meaningful tribute honoring the World War II veterans who founded the Blinded Veterans ...Association on March 28, 1945, and all veterans who lost their sight during or following military service.

This unique monument features raised stars and stripes, along with the Pledge of Allegiance in Braille, allowing visitors to experience one of America's most recognizable symbols of freedom in a new and meaningful way.

As part of the commemoration of the 250th Anniversary of the United States (1776–2026), this dedication recognizes the courage, service, and advocacy of blind veterans whose efforts helped advance education, rehabilitation, and equal opportunities for visually impaired veterans across the nation.

🇺🇸 Honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans
⭐ Experience the Bronze Braille American Flag
🤝 Celebrate a lasting community tribute
📚 Learn about the legacy of the Blinded Veterans Association

📍 Dedication Ceremony Schedule

🏛️ Martin Library
📅 July 16
⏰ 10:00 AM

🏛️ Libuse Branch
📅 July 17
⏰ 2:00 PM

🏛️ Westside Regional Library
📅 July 20
⏰ 6:00 PM

This project is funded in part by a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, made possible by the State of Louisiana, in coordination with the Rapides Parish Library and the Louisiana/Mississippi Blinded Veterans Association Regional Group, Inc.

Community members are warmly invited to attend.

🍪 Refreshments will be provided.

Join us as we honor the past, celebrate service, and recognize a legacy of courage, perseverance, and accessibility for all.

#RapidesParishLibrary #BronzeBrailleAmericanFlag #BlindedVeteransAssociation #America250 #Veterans #CommunityDedication #HonorAndRemember 🇺🇸⭐

🎉📚 More Summer Reading Success! 📚🎉

Our Summer Reading participants continue to amaze us!

Please help us congratulate Aleta, Zackie, and Jathan from our Hineston Branch on earning their Summer Reading certificates! 🌟👏

Every certificate represents hours of... reading, learning, imagination, and dedication. We love seeing readers of all ages grow their skills and reach new milestones throughout the summer.

🌱 Three more readers reaching their goals
📚 Three more reasons to celebrate
🏆 Three more Summer Reading champions

And we have to admit—while Aleta and Zackie were ready for their moment in the spotlight, Jathan wasn't exactly convinced that a photo was necessary. 😅📸

Congratulations to all three readers! Keep turning those pages—there are still plenty of prizes, programs, and adventures ahead this summer.

#PlantASeedRead #SummerReading #RapidesParishLibrary #HinestonBranch #CertificateWinner #ReadersGrow #SummerReading2026 📚🌱🏆

🫙🍑🌶️ Sweet, Spicy & Homemade! 🌶️🍑🫙

Have you ever wanted to learn how to preserve fresh foods at home? Now's your chance!

Join Jennifer Duhon of the LSU AgCenter for a hands-on canning class where participants will learn how to make delicious Apricot ...Habanero Pepper Jelly while exploring safe, research-based canning techniques. 🌱✨

Whether you're new to canning or looking to refresh your skills, this class is packed with useful information and practical experience that you can take home and use in your own kitchen.

🫙 Learn safe canning methods
🍑 Create a sweet-and-spicy pepper jelly
🌶️ Discover tips from LSU AgCenter experts
🌱 Build confidence in food preservation

⚠️ Registration is required and space is limited.

📍 Westside Regional Library
📅 Tuesday, June 30
⏰ 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM

🔗 https://rpl.events.mylibrary.digital/event?id=303275

📞 Contact 318-442-2483 for more information.

If the class is currently full, don't forget to join the waitlist—you may still have a chance to attend if a spot opens up!

#PlantASeedRead #SummerReading #LSUAgCenter #CanningClass #FoodPreservation #RapidesParishLibrary #WestsideRegionalLibrary 🫙🌶️🍑🌱