Library Successes Don’t End With Summer

Natchitoches, LA, August 4, 2026 – It was a full house on July 30 as the Natchitoches Parish Library (NPL) held its annual Summer Reading Program Big End Bash. Patrons who logged at least 12 hours of reading during the program built mini dino dioramas, played carnival games, tackled a scavenger hunt, and enjoyed hamburgers and ice cream at an event so popular it required two separate sessions to accommodate the families who came out.

“The Big End Bash is a final hurrah for the NPL’s Summer Reading Program, but it’s not the end of fun at the library,” said NPL Deputy Director Alan Niette. “As summer vacation draws to a close and families across the parish prepare for a new school year, we look forward to everyone attending our events that are offered year-round.” Programs run each month for adults, teens, and children at both library branches, with a full listing always available at thismonth.natlib.org.

As students head back to class, the NPL is reminding the community that a library card unlocks access to more than just books, computer access, and Wi-Fi. “Families often think of the library as a summer destination, but we’re just as valuable once school starts,” said Niette. “We offer in-person tutoring for kindergarten through fifth grade, online tutoring through Homework Louisiana 10 a.m. until midnight seven days a week, research databases for students, and a Schoolmobile that brings library access right to campus.”

Many of these resources are available 24/7 at natlib.org, including Homework Louisiana’s paper review drop-off service, ACT/SAT study materials, Bookflix’s animated stories for PreK through third grade, Britannica Collective’s K-12 nonfiction collection, and LinkedIn Learning’s expert-led video courses.

The NPL’s academic support also extends to students not native to the area. Anyone enrolled at the Louisiana School for Math, Science, and the Arts (LSMSA), Northwestern State University (NSU) or Bossier Parish Community College (BPCC)’s Natchitoches is eligible for a library card, granting them access to the NPL’s many resources.

As the new school year approaches, the NPL invites the community to keep exploring everything the library has to offer, in person at either branch or anytime online at natlib.org.

About the Natchitoches Parish Library

Knowledge. Connection. Community. The Natchitoches Parish Library serves the public and community through its competent, friendly staff, providing services and programs that meet the informational, recreational, and educational needs of our patrons. We seek to provide a useful collection of information and activities that connect Natchitoches Parish residents to the world.