Your Library Card Opens the Door to Discovery
Posted 09-14-2026
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Natchitoches, LA, September 04, 2026 - September is National Library Card Sign-Up Month (LCSM), and the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) is martking the occasion by reminding residents to register for their free library card, or claim a free replacement, at any branch throughout the month. Anyone who lives, works, or attends school in Natchitoches Parish are eligible to sign up.
A library card unlocks far more than book checkouts. NPL cardholders have free access to digital collections through Hoopla and Libby, homework help through Homework Louisiana, and a full calendar of classes and events for every age group, including the return of the NPL's weekly Belly Dancing class. The free class meets at 6:15 p.m. Thrusdays through September and October at the Main branch. It is open to both teens and adults, with participants building toward an optional group performance at Witch Way to Main Street.
"Natchitoches Library Card Sign-Up Month is a good time to remind people of all that a library card opens up access to," said NPL Deputy Director Alan Niette. "Whether that's fitness through a belly dancing class, trying a new hobby at one of our painting classes or Fibers Club, or settling in for story time, we want residents to see the NPL as a resource for their whole self. As part of our outreach efforts, we are adopting a month-long mantra: 'We are here for all of you.' That statement highlights the range of resources the NPL offers to support holistic wellbeing and creativity, as well as our commitment to patrons regardless of their circumstances."
Parish residents regulalry see NPL staff out in the community as well. Soon, the NPL will have a booth at the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, in addition to attending home football games for each of the Parish's high schools: Natchitoches Central on Sept. 11, Saint Mary's School on Oct. 2, and Lakeview High on Oct. 9.
A visit to the library can also unlock a full slate of programs for children, teens, and adults throughout the month, a sampling of which includes:
Children
About the Natchitoches Parish Library
Knowledge. Connection. Community. The Natchitoches Parish Library serves the public and community through its competent and friendly staff by providing services and programs aimed at meeting the informational, recreational, and educational needs of our patrons. We seek to provide a beneficial and usable collection of information and activities to connect Natchitoches Parish residents to the world.
A library card unlocks far more than book checkouts. NPL cardholders have free access to digital collections through Hoopla and Libby, homework help through Homework Louisiana, and a full calendar of classes and events for every age group, including the return of the NPL's weekly Belly Dancing class. The free class meets at 6:15 p.m. Thrusdays through September and October at the Main branch. It is open to both teens and adults, with participants building toward an optional group performance at Witch Way to Main Street.
"Natchitoches Library Card Sign-Up Month is a good time to remind people of all that a library card opens up access to," said NPL Deputy Director Alan Niette. "Whether that's fitness through a belly dancing class, trying a new hobby at one of our painting classes or Fibers Club, or settling in for story time, we want residents to see the NPL as a resource for their whole self. As part of our outreach efforts, we are adopting a month-long mantra: 'We are here for all of you.' That statement highlights the range of resources the NPL offers to support holistic wellbeing and creativity, as well as our commitment to patrons regardless of their circumstances."
Parish residents regulalry see NPL staff out in the community as well. Soon, the NPL will have a booth at the Natchitoches Meat Pie Festival on Saturday, Sept. 18, in addition to attending home football games for each of the Parish's high schools: Natchitoches Central on Sept. 11, Saint Mary's School on Oct. 2, and Lakeview High on Oct. 9.
A visit to the library can also unlock a full slate of programs for children, teens, and adults throughout the month, a sampling of which includes:
Children
- Dragon Wings: a crafting session for children to make dragon-themed suncatchers, 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at NEB.
- Weekly story times, 10:30 a.m. Tuesdays at Main and 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays at NEB. No sign-up is required for story time or the craft activity that follows.
- Free tutoring, available Monday through Friday from 2:15 to 5:15 p.m. at Main, for primary school and select seconday school topics. Walk-ins are accepring based on availability, though advance scheduling is strongly recommended. Olders students, or anyone unable to visit Main, can find free help through Homework Louisiana under the "Digital Resources" tab on the NPL homepage.
- "Throw It in the Pot!" a gumbo-inspired art class, 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at NEB. Registration is required; call NEB at 318-476-3280.
- DIY Pumpkin Marbling, 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at NEB.
- Beginning Beekeeping, presented by LSU AgCenter, 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 14, at Main.
- Weekly Spanish classes, 6 p.m. Wednesdays at Main.
About the Natchitoches Parish Library
Knowledge. Connection. Community. The Natchitoches Parish Library serves the public and community through its competent and friendly staff by providing services and programs aimed at meeting the informational, recreational, and educational needs of our patrons. We seek to provide a beneficial and usable collection of information and activities to connect Natchitoches Parish residents to the world.