Bayou Bytes Blog

  This week libraries across the nation are encouraging their patrons to celebrate the Freedom to Read. Why? Its Banned Books Week, the one week each year when libraries, book stores, publishers, teachers, and readers bring attention to our right to access information of all kinds. Some of your favorite books have probably been challenged for reasons such as language and themes: Captain Underpants Harry Potter (series) I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings The Color Purple Brave New World The Kite Runner Junie B. Jones (series) A Wrinkle in Time The Perks of Being a Wallflower For a look at other books that have been challenged visit the American Library Association's list of frequently challenged books . And, if you're in the Vinton area, be sure to visit the Fontenot Memorial branch this week to vote on your favorite titles.  What is your favorite challenged/banned book? Let us know in the comments!

  A FILM HISTORY OF OUR POPULAR MUSIC FROM BLUES TO BLUEGRASS TO BROADWAY BLUES / BROADWAY / JAZZ / BLUEGRASS & COUNTRY / ROCK / MAMBO & HIP-HOP   Central Library in partnership with McNeese Banners is excited to announce Fulbright Senior Scholar and Jazz artist Rick Condit who will be hosting the 6 week series, along with a brief documentary and discussion of the week’s featured music genre. The series will be held at the Shearman Fine Arts Building, Room 224, located on the McNeese University Campus.   The music to be featured is as follows:   Week 1- Blues and Gospel   Week 2- Broadway and Tin Pan Alley   Week 3- Jazz   Week 4- Blue Grass and Country   Week 5- Rock-n-Roll   Week 6- Hip Hop and Mambo  The Central Library will also host live music performances on select Thursdays following the lectures. The series will run for 6 consecutive weeks beginning Sept 24th and running t...

All About Healthcare Reform Open enrollment for health insurance coverage options mandated by the  Affordable Care Act   begins  October 1, 2013 .  Coverage begins January 1, 2014. Find out more about your options and responsibilities using the resources below. Learn how the Health Care Law is Making a Difference for the People of Louisiana            Still in need of clarification? Get More Answers @ Your Library Your Library is hosting a general session on the  Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act  (PPACA) and upcoming healthcare reform. ** A representative from Blue Cross/Blue Shield will discuss topics such as, Affordable Care Act and Marketplace Basics, Individual Marketplace Reforms, Eligibility in the Federally-facilitated Marketplace and How to Apply, and Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program Eligibility. **Tues.,   Sept. 24th @  6:00p...

Apple released iOS 7 yesterday and many Apple users may have upgraded their device(s) or will be upgrading in the near future. When an existing OverDrive Media Console (OMC) user upgrades to iOS 7, the app will fail when trying to open a DRM-protected eBook. New or first time users of OMC are unaffected by this issue meaning that if you download the app for the first time post-iOS7 update you will not experience this issue. We are resolving the issue but in the meantime, the immediate remedy for users is to uninstall and re-install OMC which will also require the user to re-authorize with Adobe. IMPORTANT NOTE: A re-install will clear a user’s bookshelf, history, and app settings. Refer to the iOS section of this  Help article  for assistance. Audiobook users won’t notice that anything is different unless they attempt to download parts of audiobooks they already downloaded to OMC before upgrading to iOS 7. A user will receive an error message informing th...

Your Library offers access to a   FREE   streaming movies and television service !   Browse   titles from major content suppliers from the convenience of their personal computer or portable device. Did we mention this is   FREE ? Registered card holders from Calcasieu Parish can stream 3 videos per week. Popular selections include "The Dish" and "Local Hero" from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment; and "Beyonce--I Am...World Tour" from Sony Music Entertainment. Apps are available in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Start streaming today with Freegal Movies and Television . For additional info, visit the FAQ page.

Do you hunt? Are you a fan of the hit A&E TV show Duck Dynasty ? Ever wonder how those nifty duck calls come to be? Well, your library has something just for you.  Join us at the  Wild About Duck Hunting event at the Central branch on Saturday, September 21, at 2pm. Bring the whole family for a Quacking Good Time as Jon Norman of Faulk's Calls talks about the duck and game calls that the Faulk family has made for over 50 years in the lake area. Come and see duck calls in various stages of production. Also joining us will be 2013 World Junior Champion Snow Goose Caller, Matthew Aucoin!  Be sure to fly up to the DeBakey Meeting Room for the Wild About Duck Tasting program at 3 p.m. Delish!

Join millions of eBook and audiobook readers around the world enjoying one book. Millions of readers around the world are participating in the Big Library Read of the eBook and audiobook, Fancy Nancy: Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth and you are invited to join in the fun. The program runs from Sept. 16-30. Nancy Clancy, Super Sleuth is the first in a series of delightful middle-grade mysteries. Sassy Fancy is now a detective. When one of her classmate's most special possessions disappears from school, it's up to Nancy to save the day. With the help of her friend Bree, she follows the clues to an unexpected source. The FUN ebook includes a secret code you can use, 2 mysteries to solve and lots of fancy words. Best of all, everybody can read this library book at the same time (Sept. 16-30) during the Big Library Read . Connect with others during the Big Library Read ! Participants will have the opportunity to connect with other readers in a hosted forum and online chat wit...

Every month, the Bayou Book Bytes Blog will acknowledge an employee of Calcasieu Parish Public Libraries. The employee will be featured in the “Staff in the Spotlight” post. For the month of September, the Bayou Book Bytes Blog staff has selected Cornell Thomas (Branch Manager, Iowa Library) as our inaugural candidate. Mr. Thomas was asked a series of questions which ranged from his “favorite book” to a “library survival kit.”   A photo of Mr. Thomas is provided below; along with the questions and answers. Cornell Thomas, Branch Manager (Iowa Library) BB: How long have you been working for CPPL? CT: I’m in-between my anniversary date (Nov) but back in 2012 I turned 30-years with CPPL. BB: What is your favorite part of the job? CT: Interacting with the patrons (both young and young-at-heart) and serving our community remains the greatest part of my career choice. BB: What is your favorite book? CT: Adult (personal reading): The Birth Order Book by Dr. K...