Third- through fifth-graders can get free hands-on STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) training in an after-school program set up by the New Orleans Public Library, the city’s Office of Youth and Families, and STEM NOLA through the end of May.
STEM NOLA programs start at 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays at a rotating list of library locations.
Through Thursday, Dec. 21, students are invited to East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd., to explore structures and design applied in the real world. Learn about and identify various types of structures. Identify the strongest structure, discover the different parts of a working structure, and create viable structures.
The program runs Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday with participants working on different projects with one theme over the three days.
Visit nolalibrary.co/stem-nola for details and registration.
DIY STORYTIME: Parents and caregivers can drop in at their neighborhood libraries for a DIY storytime between Dec. 26 and Jan. 4 to practice reading and playing together at their own pace.
This do-it-yourself early literacy program includes themed books, props, and activities that allow families to create a unique storytime experience with their baby, toddler, or preschooler. It is a great way to bring stories to life and have fun together.
DIY storytime materials will be set up in the children’s section of the library from 10:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. during each location’s normal storytime programming slot:
● Tuesdays at Algiers Regional, 3014 Holiday Drive; East New Orleans Regional, 5641 Read Blvd.; Latter, 5120 St Charles Ave.; Norman Mayer, 3001 Gentilly Blvd.; Smith, 6301 Canal Blvd.; and Main, 219 Loyola Ave.
● Wednesdays at Alvar, 913 Alvar St.; Children’s Resource Center, 913 Napoleon Ave.; and Nix, 1401 S. Carrollton Ave.
● Thursdays at Hubbell, 725 Pelican Ave.; Mid-City, 4140 Canal St; and Keller, 4300 S Broad St.
The materials will also be available from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesdays at Nora Navra, 1902 St Bernard Ave., and Thursdays at Martin Luther King Jr., 1611 Fats Domino Ave.
NEW PLAY CENTER: A new community play center for families with children up to age 3 is now open at East New Orleans Regional Library, 5641 Read Blvd. We PLAY East is the second early learning and resource center run by TrainingGrounds, a New Orleans-based nonprofit that provides evidence-informed programming for the first five years of life.
Play is an important element of early literacy and learning.
We PLAY East will be open for drop-in play sessions from 10 a.m. to noon every Wednesday and Friday.
Visit nolalibrary.org/early-lit for more information about programs, materials, and resources parents and caregivers can access through the library for free to help inspire a lifelong love of reading.
WHO DUN IT?: Mystery lovers can tune in to the library’s Who Dun It? Book club on Zoom, at 4 p.m. Dec. 21 to discuss “The Word is Murder” by Anthony Horowitz.
New members are always welcome. For more information, contact virtualbookclub@nolalibrary.org.
Jane LeGros is the director of marketing and communications for the Orleans Parish Library.