Latest news with #KatrinaStokes
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scotlandville library renovation enters next phase with community support
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — City leaders and residents gathered Monday to celebrate progress on the newly renovated Scotlandville Library, a project shaped by community input and deeply rooted in one of Baton Rouge's historic neighborhoods. 'We have listened to our patrons,' said Katrina Stokes, executive director of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library. 'We've conducted surveys and hosted community meetings to ask them: 'What do you want? What do you need from us?' The renovated library will feature expanded access to technology, new programs and meeting rooms, a community fridge, and a dedicated Black Heritage Room. Its colors — blue and yellow — pay homage to nearby Southern University and the cultural history of the community. 'It's going to be almost like a museum,' Candace Temple said. 'The Black Heritage section in the library is going to be just awesome.' Temple emphasized that the library system is always looking for ways to better serve its communities. Among those in attendance was East Baton Rouge Metro Councilman Anthony Kenney, who grew up in the neighborhood and credits the library with shaping his path. 'We want to make sure we're increasing literacy in our communities,' Kenney said. 'As our kids grow up to become the next lawyers, council members, and mayors, we want to ensure the library is part of that foundation.' Mayor-President Sid Edwards also spoke at the event, reinforcing the shared vision among city and library leaders to make the library a welcoming space for all. The project is scheduled to be completed by February 2026. Scotlandville library renovation enters next phase with community support Southern University Baseball enters SWAC Tournament on late-season streak Freedom Caucus chair predicts 'big beautiful bill' lacks support to pass this week Democratic Rep. McIver charged with assault after skirmish at ICE center, New Jersey prosecutor says Fourth inmate captured, six still at large following Orleans Parish jailbreak: LSP Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Scotlandville Library expands with Black Heritage Room, outdoor areas
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A groundbreaking ceremony for the Scotlandville Branch Library's renovation and expansion will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 19. The public is invited to attend. This event will mark the start of Phase Two for the Scotlandville Branch Library renovation and expansion. The event is located at 7373 Scenic Highway. The 'gold shovel event' will include remarks from Library Board President Candace Temple and East Baton Rouge Parish Library Director Katrina Stokes. The library said Mayor-President Sid Edwards and District 2 Metro Councilman Anthony Kenney will also attend. The $8.8 million project will take about 10 months to finish. It is funded by the Library's 10-year dedicated property tax, with no bonds or debt involved. The project is overseen by City-Parish Architectural Services and Library staff, according to the library. Once finished, the expanded library will include: Over 24,000 square feet of space. A new Archive Annex completed in Phase One. Dedicated areas for children, teens, and adults. Meeting and programming rooms, including a retractable stage. A Black Heritage Room for exhibits and events. Collaborative workspaces, free Wi-Fi, public computers, and printing. Outdoor features like courtyards, a garden story walk, and space for a community fridge. The library said the Black Heritage Room will provide a space for hosting programming related to African American art and literature. How does the EPA know a pesticide is safe to use in my yard? Scotlandville Library expands with Black Heritage Room, outdoor areas 'From the ashes': Gaming industry layoffs give way to rising indie studios Man running an errand for his wife wins $1M lottery prize: 'I was in total shock' Person of interest in Palm Springs IVF clinic explosion confirmed dead: FBI Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Construction finishes on new $12M Baton Rouge library branch
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — A new library branch in East Baton Rouge Parish is set to open its doors on Monday. The new 18,800 square-foot South Branch Library is located at 2210 Glasgow Ave. The completion of the project fulfills a 30-Year Capital Improvement Plan, according to Library Director Katrina Stokes. The pay-as-you-go project totaled $12.024 million with funds coming from the library system's 10-year dedicated property tax. Ground broke on the project in October 2023. 'The South Branch is already creating a buzz within the community, and staff is eager to begin library service to patrons from the surrounding neighborhoods. We are especially excited to welcome in students from nearby schools and look forward to a great collaboration with local educators and civic organizations in the future,' Stokes said. Branch operations will have temporary hours of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 2-6 p.m. Saturday. People can check out new books, audiobooks, music, DVDs, Blu-rays, magazines and newspapers. The parish library system said the technology is a strong feature of the new branch, offering robust Wi-Fi, public computers with internet access and Microsoft Office and two AWE Early Literacy Workstations for preschool-age kids. Some other amenities include: One large public meeting room that can be divided into 3 separate spaces One adult conference room Three adult collaborative work/study rooms Two teen collaborative work/study rooms which doubles as teen programming space One children's work/study room One children's programming room Courtyard accessibility from each space Baton Rouge brewery to open satellite taproom in Nebraska GOP chairs 'very concerned' over report of Trump changing military commands Senate GOP not planning to rubber-stamp DOGE cuts in 2026 funding Brothers, roomate of man convicted of killing Laken Riley to be deported Construction finishes on new $12M Baton Rouge library branch Attacks on Tesla dealerships grow nationwide Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Baton Rouge Mayor Edwards' plan to shift library funds to police hits snag
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — East Baton Rouge Parish Library (EBRPL) leaders say they plan to work with Metro Council members after a resolution to renew a library tax millage failed to pass Wednesday. The packed council meeting at City Hall drew library advocates and police officers, with many urging council members to support a lowered tax renewal for 10 years. After discussions with council members, library officials requested to remove the item from the agenda as they work toward a compromise. EBRPL Director Katrina Stokes said the library plans to resubmit its original renewal proposal for a 10.5-mill dedicated tax. According to the library system, the proposal could be reintroduced at the Feb. 26 Metro Council meeting, with a vote expected on March 26. Mayor-President Sid Edwards has proposed rededicating library funds to the general fund, using the money to increase police pay, invest in economic development, and improve infrastructure. 'Careful consideration has been made to ensure that we will maintain the best publicly funded library system in the state. I am looking forward to working with the EBR Metro Council to better prioritize how the city-parish spends valuable taxpayer money,' Edwards said on Feb. 6. If the Metro Council approves the plan in March, voters would decide on it in the October election. See how one Baton Rouge library employee has inspired kids for nearly two decades Second arrest made in case involving damaged traffic signs, flyer distribution in Louisiana Vice President Vance accuses European leaders of censoring free speech Rock the Country Ticket Sweepstakes Baton Rouge Mayor Edwards' plan to shift library funds to police hits snag WATCH: Driver in Utah escapes car before train smashes into vehicle Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
