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Gonzales, LA – Ascension Parish Library is joining libraries around the country and observing National Library Week from April 6 to 12 to spotlight the impact our services have on the community.
“We had a great year serving the people of Ascension Parish in 2024 and offered new opportunities for them to read, learn, and create,” said APL Director John Stelly. “Our new program to help adults earn a high school diploma had six graduates. Users took 3,800 seed packets from our Seed Library to learn about gardening. The Donaldsonville Library was renovated and re-opened at the end of the year, and 73 people took advantage of the new creative and technology spaces. This reimagining of what people thought they knew about libraries continues to draw people in.”
In 2024, Ascension Parish Library saw 290,884 visitors. That number combines visits to all APL locations and those the library’s outreach team saw at community and school events, senior centers, and daycare visits. The visitor count has continued to increase in recent years; 2024 brought an additional 26,000 guests over 2022, which saw 264,854.
National Library Week is an annual celebration highlighting the valuable role libraries, librarians, and library workers play in transforming lives and strengthening communities. This year’s theme is Drawn to the Library! For some, that draw is a chance to connect with others.
“We met each other a year ago at the Gonzales Library,” said Lilly, an avid library user who befriended another mom, Le'Hya, attending one of the storytime sessions. “Now we travel around to Dutchtown, Galvez, and Gonzales together. We have playdates – and our kids are called ‘The Twins’ because they’re 11 days apart.”
From families stopping in for play and storytime to students and adults creating projects in our Makerspaces and seniors seeking tech help, libraries help connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next.
As part of our continued efforts to engage the Ascension Parish community, APL is also reaching out to new residents. Throughout the year, new households in the parish will receive a postcard introducing them to the library's offerings. This initiative reinforces our commitment to making sure people know how the library can enhance their lives—whether through educational resources, community programs, or simply a place to relax and connect.
“We want to be a place where people find something – whether that’s a new skill, a friend, a place to belong, or a book, the library is here for everyone,” Stelly said.
