East Baton Rouge Parish Library

East Baton Rouge Parish Library is a public library system serving the residents of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana, with its administrative headquarters in Baton Rouge. Established in 1939, the system has grown from a single location into a network of fourteen branches and a bookmobile, circulating millions of items annually. It is a cornerstone institution for literacy, digital access, and cultural programming within the Capital Region of Louisiana.

History

The library's origins trace to 1939 when the Baton Rouge Junior League and the Baton Rouge Rotary Club spearheaded efforts to establish a public library, initially housed in a room at Baton Rouge City Hall. Significant expansion occurred in 1949 with funding from the Federal Works Agency, leading to the construction of the first dedicated main library on Goodwood Boulevard. Throughout the latter half of the 20th century, the system grew in tandem with the parish, adding branches in neighborhoods like Baker and Zachary. A major milestone was the 2011 passage of a property tax millage, which funded extensive renovations, new construction, and the establishment of the state-of-the-art Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library.

Branches and services

The system operates fourteen branches strategically located across the parish, including the Main Library at Goodwood, the Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library, and the Jones Creek Regional Branch Library. Core services encompass free access to physical collections, public computer workstations, meeting rooms, and Interlibrary loan through networks like the LOUIS consortium. Specialized offerings include the Louisiana Center for the Book, the Talking Books and Braille Library for patrons with print disabilities, and extensive children's departments hosting Summer reading programs. Outreach is further extended via a mobile Bookmobile service.

Governance and funding

The library is governed by a seven-member Board of Trustees appointed by the East Baton Rouge Parish Metropolitan Council. Day-to-day operations are managed by a Director, currently Spencer Watts, and an executive team. Primary funding derives from a dedicated property tax millage approved by parish voters, with supplemental support from the State Library of Louisiana, grants from institutions like the Institute of Museum and Library Services, and private donations through the East Baton Rouge Parish Library Foundation. The annual budget is overseen by the East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President's office.

Special collections and archives

The system houses several notable special collections, primarily at the Main Library at Goodwood. The Louisiana Room archives focus on local and state history, containing rare materials on Baton Rouge history, Louisiana French culture, and the Mississippi River. The Genealogy collection provides resources for family history research, including microfilm of United States Census records and Louisiana birth certificates. Other holdings include the John B. Cade Library African American history materials and a collection of Federal Depository Library Program documents.

Technology and digital initiatives

The library provides robust public access to technology, including free Wi-Fi, computer labs, and digital media labs with equipment for content creation. Its digital branch offers 24/7 access to downloadable and streaming media through platforms like OverDrive for e-books, Hoopla for movies and music, and Lynda.com for online courses. The system also participates in the Gale databases network and offers innovative services like technology petting zoos, coding workshops for youth, and a makerspace at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch Library featuring 3D printing and Virtual reality.

Community engagement and programs

Community programming is a central pillar, with thousands of events offered annually system-wide. Signature programs include the One Book One Community reading initiative, the Louisiana Book Festival author events, and the World War II lecture series. The library partners with local entities such as the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra, the LSU Museum of Art, and the Baton Rouge Food Bank to host cultural performances, exhibitions, and service drives. Lifelong learning is supported through adult literacy tutoring in partnership with Volunteers in Public Schools, citizenship classes, and job search assistance workshops in collaboration with the Louisiana Workforce Commission.