File Latter Library branch in New Orleans

Patrons gather after a groundbreaking ceremony at the Milton H. Latter Memorial Library in Uptown New Orleans in 2011. 

Novelist Rebecca Serle will discuss her upcoming book, in an evening Zoom call hosted by the New Orleans Public Library Jan. 10 at 7 p.m.

Serle's latest book, “Expiration Dates,” will be released March 5.

The New York Times bestselling author will also share her love story formula, which has given her success with popular titles like “One Italian Summer,” “In Five Years,” and “The Dinner List.”

Her forthcoming novel follows Daphne Bell, a woman looking for her lifelong love while navigating a peculiar phenomena: Every time she meets a new man, she receives a slip of paper with his name and a number on it — the exact amount of time they will be together. Daphne has been receiving the numbered papers for over 20 years, always wondering when there might be one without an expiration.

Finally, on the night of a blind date at her favorite Los Angeles restaurant, there’s only a name: Jake.

Register at libraryc.org/nolalibrary/37295 to take part and ask questions.

Journaling workshop: Dive into the new year at a DIY Journaling Workshop at the Children’s Resource Center library at 5:30 p.m. on Jan. 11. Participants will customize their planner or journal for the new year using stamps, stickers, stencils and other colorful supplies. Lined journals will be provided, or you can bring your own.

Better playtime: Parents and caregivers are invited to stimulate their baby’s playtime at Nora Navra Library every Friday in January from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the library’s "Artsy Baby: Hands-On Fun" program. The Jan. 12 program will be a Sensory Bag Crawl, with attendees creating and exploring sensory bags with aloe vera and different textured items.

Other Artsy Baby activities will feature Bubble Wrap, handprints and more.

Or, caregivers can bring their 2 to 6-year-olds to the Children’s Resource Center Library on Fridays in January at 10:30 a.m. for Nursery Rhyme Time, an early literacy program that helps children get ready to read through nursery rhyme-themed activities. The Jan. 11 program will focus on Humpty Dumpty.

Visit nolalibrary.org/early-lit for more information about how the library can help you raise a lifelong reader through resources, programming, services, and more.

Costume swap: Get in the Mardi Gras spirit at Alvar Library’s costume swap and throw party on Jan. 13. Stop by at 2 p.m. with your old costuming supplies and browse new stuff to spark your creativity, and create your own throws and necklaces.

Meet and greet the cats: The library and the Louisiana SPCA are teaming up to host Caturday: a Cat Meet and Greet at Nora Navra Library on Jan. 13. Kids and families can meet these fluffy visitors and craft cat toys to go back with them to Louisiana SPCA. Caturday starts at 2 p.m. and is sponsored by the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library.

The New Orleans Public Library hosts dozens of free events for people of all ages and interests. Visit events.nolalibrary.org or download the NOLALibrary app to find a program near you.

Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the New Orleans Public Library.