A collection of 30,000 clay tablets found in ancient Mesopotamia dated back approximately 5,000 years. Archeologists claim that this collection of written knowledge held in some sort of repository is a practice as old as civilization itself.
“The name for the repository eventually became the library. Whether private or public, the library has been founded, built, destroyed and rebuilt. The library, often championed, has been a survivor throughout its long history and serves as a testament to the thirst for knowledge,” says the History magazine.
The Lafourche Parish Public Library system has been providing knowledge through literacy to residents of Lafourche for nearly 70 years. Founded in 1947, the library system developed eight branches within two years.
Currently, there are branches in Golden Meadow, South Lafourche (Galliano), Larose, Lockport, Gheens, Raceland, Thibodaux, Choctaw and Bayou Blue.
Laura Sanders was appointed as Director of the Lafourche Parish Public Library system in May of 2013. She has worked in her position to modernize and reimage the parish’s library system so that patrons will realize it’s more than just books.
“Libraries have evolved a great deal since we opened 67 years ago. Our libraries started out as repositories for books but today we are so much more! We still have books in print but also as electronic books and we strive to keep our collections up to date as well as provide historical and genealogy materials that are important to our heritage.
“We now have computers (PC and Mac) and iPad’s for patron use, as well as Lego tables, X-Box gaming systems, and programs for all ages. Our extensive DVD collection remains popular at all of our branches. We focus on the individual experiences in our libraries not just the transaction,” Sanders said.
Lafourche Parish Public Library system provides essential services to many citizens in Lafourche. In the last few years the system has seen a steady increase in service ranging between five and 20 percent. The summer reading program saw a 26 percent increase in participants.
“The most important contribution to our communities is to remain relevant to each individual community because they are all unique and want and need diverse services. We aren’t just the place to come check out books. We are community hubs in times of disaster, meeting places for community activities, and a safe and enjoyable place for kids and teens to spend time,” Sanders said.
It is essential to hire the right people for each library branch. Numerous employees have made the Lafourche Parish Library system their lifetime career. A couple of employees have been with the system for more than 40 years, showing loyalty to enriching lives of people in the parish as well as to their community.
“I truly love my position as library director and will continue to strive to meet your needs as we take this library system into the future! I envision a library system that can stand up to any in the state and come out on top and that is because of who we serve – the best patrons in the state of Louisiana,” Sanders said.
For more information on what the Lafourche Parish Library System has to offer, visit www.lafourche.org or drop in to the branch nearest to you.
Lafourche Library Director Laura Sanders
Posted on Fri, October 3, 2014
by The Lafourche Gazette