January News and Events

LibraryCon 2026

Our annual LibraryCon will be held on January 17th from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Madisonville Library. This free event will host gaming, a DIY artist alley, trivia, a costume showcase, and special guests!

Attendees will receive a collectable LibraryCon badge and lanyard. Quantities are limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Get Ready for LibraryCon 2026!

Winter Reading

Avid readers of all ages still have time to sign up and complete the Winter Reading Challenge. Sign up via Beanstack and complete by January 19th!

Top Ten

As we come to the end of one year and ring in the next, the Library wants to share what items were the most checked-out items of 2025.

From physical copies to digital items, patrons checked out over 750,000 items (Jan. through Nov.). Check out which items topped this list, maybe one of your favorites made the top 10!

Top Checked Out Items Lists

Upcoming Library Closure - Martin Luther King Jr. Day

All St. Tammany Parish Library offices and branches will be closed on Monday, January 19th, 2026, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

All offices and branches will reopen for normal operating hours on Tuesday, January 20th, 2026.

List of all 2026 Holiday Closures

Craft & Hobby

Last month, we added a new online crafting resource for patrons, Craft & Hobby. Use your library card to get started with online tutorials on sewing, cooking, dancing and more!

Learn at your own pace with step-by-step tutorials in 20 different creative topics, as well as expert-led classes and live crafting webinars.

Start Crafting with Craft & Hobby

Updates on Project

At the December 2025 Library Board of Control Meeting, the architects for the Lacombe Replacement Branch project presented preliminary plans and drawings to the board and patrons.

Floorplan, landscaping, and imagery are not final and may change in the Schematic Phase. Visit sttammanylibrary.org/lacombe to view the plans and presentation.

View the current Plans

Storytime Events Return

After a brief hiatus after fall and holiday programming, Storytime events at most branches are set to return the week of January 26th.

Our Mandeville branch will resume Storytime events the week of February 10th.

View the Schedule of Storytime Events

Tracing the History of the Saint Joseph Altar Tradition

Learn about the history behind the Saint Joseph Alter tradition from Sandra Scalise Juneau, a Louisiana native and author, on January 13th at the Madisonville branch from 1 to 2:30 p.m.

Sandra’s presentation will showcase intricate artworks and vintage photographs from the last century of Saint Joseph Altar displays in Sicily, New Orleans, and the Northshore, highlighting the similarities and differences they exhibit.

Spring into Gardening with Library Events!

Get a head start on your spring garden this year with these upcoming gardening events happening this month!

Greaux on the Geaux: Spring Garden Edition

Join Ty Carter from Cultivating Culture as she introduces you to how to sow and harvest your spring garden. This event will be held at the Slidell branch on January 20th from 6 to 7 p.m. Register for this event.

Starting Seeds

Growing a garden from seed can be challenging, but La Colline Farms will help you learn how to make your own starting mix and start your seeds to give your spring garden a jump start. This event will be held at the Covington branch on January 24th from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Register for this event.

Master Gardener Lecture Series: Medicinal Herbs

Part of last year’s Master Gardener Lecture Series, a Master Gardener will explain the ins and outs of growing, harvesting, and applicable uses of medicinal herbs. This event will be at the Lee Road Branch on January 27th from 2 to 3 p.m. Register for this event.

Check out more Gardening Resources and Events

Children

Teens

Adults

The Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany will hold their monthly Used Book Sale on January 16th and 17th, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at their building located at 1301 N. Florida St. in Covington, near the St. Tammany Parish Fairgrounds.

Some items start as low as 25 cents. Find books, DVDs, music and audio CDs, and puzzles, with a large selection of homeschool items and children's books. All proceeds support St. Tammany Parish Libraries.

A list of the current auction items can be found on the Friends' web page.

View the Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany Website

The Friends of the Slidell Library (FSL) will have their next Used Book Sale on February 6th and 7th in the Slidell Library meeting room.

February 6th - Member's Preview Sale, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
February 7th - Public Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Member's Preview Sale is for FSL members only. But as always, memberships will be available to purchase or renew at the door. Annual memberships cost $5 per person or $8 per family.

The Friends of the Slidell Library (FSL) will hold their SSSSale (Second Saturday Special Sale) on January 10th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Slidell Library, located at 555 Robert Blvd. Gardening, crafts, and home improvement topics are this month's theme.

The Friends’ used book sales, silent auctions, and other special sale events help raise funds to purchase items and fund events for the Slidell, Lacombe, Pearl River, and South Slidell Branch Libraries. For more information about FSL, activities, and membership, send an email to fsl70458@yahoo.com.

View the Friends of the Slidell Library's Webpage

Download this Month's Event Calendars

Looking for what's new in our collection?

Browse our newest arrivals

We are very grateful for our support organizations. Learn more about them at the links below.
St. Tammany Library Foundation
Friends of the Slidell Library — Friends of the Library of West St. Tammany

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St. Tammany Parish Library
1112 W 21st Ave. Covington LA 70433
www.sttammanylibrary.org