One Book One Community Events

Every year, the East Baton Rouge Parish Library system engages the entire community around a story. This year's One Book One Community selection is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel Americanah, a story with themes of immigration, love, identity, and diversity. In celebration of this parish-wide book club, local libraries are hosting special events centered around these themes. See the schedule below: 

April 2: Identity Boards Craft—Teens and tweens are invited to the Zachary Branch Library today to create an identity board—a beautiful collage of how teens see themselves, highlighting everything that makes them unique. All supplies provided. 5 pm. 

April 4: Natural Hair Workshop—Adults are invited to the Jones Creek Regional Branch to learn about hairstyles, techniques, and maintenance for natural hair. 3 pm. 

April 7 & 8: Craft Beaded Bracelets—Learn about the history of beads in Africa, and make a personalized bracelet to take home. 3:30 pm at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch. 

April 8: TED Talk Viewing Party—Join fellow 20-somethings for a screening of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's "We Should All Be Feminists" TED Talk. 6:30 pm at the Bluebonnet Regional Branch. 

April 15: Nigerian Folktale Storytime—Kids ages 8–11 are invited to the Fairwood Branch Library to learn about the customs and rich history of Nigeria. Hear a traditional Nigerian folktale and learn facts about the country from special guest speaker Felix Esejiofo, who will share memories of growing up in Nigeria in the 1960s and '70s. 

April 16: Mapping Africa Story/Craft—Kids ages 7–11 are invited to the the Eden Park Branch for a reading of Margy Burns Knight and Mark Melnicove's Africa is Not a Country. After the story, fill in different countries on the map with a variety of colors. 3:30 pm. 

April 18: Amazing Africa Story/Craft—Kids 6–11 are invited to the Pride-Chaneyville Branch to hear an excerpt from Hooray for Anna Hibiscus! by Nigerian-born storyteller Atinuke. After the reading, each child will make their own kente cloth-inspired paper weaving craft. 

April 21: Learn How to Start Your Own Podcast—Head to the Main Library for a free seminar on podcasting equipment, audio editing, and more. All supplies provided. 6 pm. 

April 25: Cardboard Weaving Craft for Teens—Hang out with other teens and learn how to do cardboard weaving with yarn in the traditional colors of an African dashiki. 11 am at the Pride-Chaneyville Branch. 

April 27: LORI Author Talk with Morenike Famuyide—Join Nigerian-born Baton Rouge author Morenike Famuyide for a discussion on her work in writing poetry and children's stories inspired by her homeland. A Q&A will follow. This event is presented in partnership wth the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants. 6 pm at the Main Library. 

April 30: Cultural Diversity Fashion Show—Experience the gorgeous diversity of international fashion at a free fashion show. Light refreshments will be served. 6:30 pm at the Jones Creek Regional Branch. 

All activities are free. ebrpl.org.