February is Library Lovers’ Month!

Ah, libraries. If you're reading this, you probably already have a fondness for them. And that's totally understandable. The library is a place of learning, entertainment, and self-improvement. It is a place where you can foster your interests, prepare for your career, join a community, get help and guidance in finding needed information, satisfy your love of reading, and discover new ideas. And best of all, public libraries do not charge a fee for these services.

The American public library model has evolved over many decades. According to the American Library Association, opens a new window, the Peterborough Town Libraries, opens a new window in New Hampshire, founded in 1833, was the first "free modern public library"--a tax-funded institution in the United States that served all members of its community. Then, in 1848, the Boston Public Library was established. According to BPL's website, opens a new window, it was "the first large free municipal library in the United States, the first public library to lend books, the first to have a branch library, and the first to have a children’s room."

The St. Tammany Parish Library got its start in the middle of the 20th century. The Covington Business & Professional Women's Club in St. Tammany proposed the creation of a "Demonstration Library" in 1946 (Glisson, 1987, p. 1). On June 2, 1950, the first branch opened on New Hampshire Street in Covington. Additional branches opened soon thereafter; by early 1957, the system boasted locations in ten communities throughout the parish. Today, the St. Tammany Parish Library has 12 branches throughout the parish to serve this community. They are dynamic community hubs and have lots to offer!

If you're interested in learning more about the history of libraries, or if you enjoy fiction in which libraries play a role, take a look at the list below to see some of what the St. Tammany Parish Library has to offer!

Reference: Glisson, L. (1987). Chronology of St. Tammany Parish Library.

We Love Libraries!

List created by STPLReferenceCovington

 







































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