Jefferson Parish libraries are host to a variety of book clubs that are open to the public.
Here’s a list of what some of them are reading at their July meetings.
- “Exadelic” by Jon Evans: 6:30 p.m., July 8, Rosedale Library, 4036 Jefferson Highway, Old Jefferson To Preserve Humanity: The Promise and Peril of Artificial Intelligence Book Club
- “Phantom of the Opera” by Gaston LeRoux: 7 p.m. July 15, East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie. French Lit Discuss Group — Members read the first half, or about 200 pages.
- “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides: 2 p.m. July 16, Old Metairie Library, 2350 Metairie Road. Old Metairie Mystery Book Club.
- “Doctor Zhivago” by Boris Pasternak: 2:30 p.m. July 16, River Ridge Library, 8825 Jefferson Highway, River Ridge. Jefferson Highway Book Club.
- “Code of the Woosters” by P.G. Wodehouse: 7 p.m. July 16, East Bank Regional Library. Great Books Discussion Group.
- The Any Book Club discusses graphic novels this month: 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. July 10, West Bank Regional Library, 2751 Manhattan Blvd., Harvey.
KITTEN YOGA: Interact with kittens while also participating in a yoga class from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. June 27 at the East Bank Regional Library.
This event will be repeated from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on July 11 and July 25. Each session is open to those 12 and older.
All of the kittens — which run and frolic through the room while a yoga session plays on the screen — are available to meet, play with and adopt. The kittens are from the Jefferson Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
HOOP DANCING: This is a serious exercise regimen based on using the same Hula Hoop that many people played with as children. The series continue at 6:30 p.m. June 27, July 11, 18, and 25, at the East Bank Regional Library.
The beginner-level sessions are free. Registration is required at the Jefferson Parish website.
HYGIENE WORKSHOP: Girls ages 8-18 are invited to join the Confidence Campaign for an interactive workshop focusing on healthy hygiene habits from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 26 at the East Bank Regional Library.
Discover the importance of daily practices such as washing one’s face, brushing teeth, flossing, applying deodorant and more. This program does not cover sexual health, only personal hygiene as it applies to girls and puberty. Open to girls ages 8-18.
Limited spots are available, and registration and consent forms are required. For more details, contact the East Bank Regional Library Teen Department at (504) 849-8833.
MUSIC: The New Aurora Saxophone Ensemble performs music from the Great American Songbook at 7 p.m. June 26 at the East Bank Regional Library.
MARKET READY: The Jefferson Parish Library, in partnership with Operation Hope, will provide an eight-week series of classes for entrepreneurs at 6 p.m. on Tuesday nights in June and July at the Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library.
This eight-week series is for entrepreneurs ready to bring their ideas to market. Weekly classes will help improve business acumen, leverage resources, acquire technical assistance, and business mentors that have successfully started their own businesses.
ALL ABOUT THE IRISH: Librarian Gwen Kelley will discuss the culture and history of the Irish community in New Orleans with a focus on those who came during the Irish Potato famine at 7 p.m. July 3, at the East Bank Regional Library. From the New Basin Canal to Gallier Hall and Hibernia Bank, the presence of the Irish in New Orleans history is undeniable.
SUMMER READING PROGRAM: The summer program is offering a variety of events to keep young people busy this summer. Here’s what coming up in the next week.
At the East Bank Regional Library:
- 2 to 4 p.m. June 27: Teens make keychain buttons
- 5 to 8 p.m. June 27: Teen game day
- 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. June 28: Teen movie matinees
- 10 to 10:30 a.m. June 29: Saturday craft
- 2 to 3 p.m. July 1: Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries presentation
At the Jane O’Brien Chatelain West Bank Regional Library:
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 27: Treasure map
- 2 to 4 p.m. June 28: Friday movies
- 11 a.m. to noon July 1: Chatty the Mime
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1: Teen craft: make your own trail mix
- 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. July 1: Myth-writing workshop
Patrons can sign up for summer reading anytime between through July 31 at any Jefferson Parish Library location.
FIESTA WARE EXHIBIT: One word is all it takes to conjure up an image of the wildly colorful tableware that has been a favorite of homemakers since it was introduced in 1936 by the Homer Laughlin Co. of East Liverpool, Ohio, and shown at the Pottery and Glass Show in Pittsburgh.
Fiesta tableware came in five original colors: red, blue, green, ivory, and yellow. It was redesigned in 1969, withdrawn in 1973, and reissued in 1986 in new colors: rose, black, cobalt blue, white, and apricot. Like the original line, there has been an evolving number of glaze colors.
In 2002, The New York Times called Fiesta “the most collected brand of china in the U.S.” Examples of Fiesta Ware can be found in the display case outside the branch manager’s office at the East Bank Regional Library.
HOLIDAY CLOSURE: All Jefferson Parish Libraries will be closed Thursday, July 4, and Friday, July 5.
Chris Smith is manager of adult programming at the Jefferson Parish Public Library.
