Monday, February 22, 2010

Find your Family Tree at the library!


Here at the main branch, we have a whole room dedicated to genealogy research. Our collection focuses on the local area, especially Terrebonne Parish, but we have plenty of books on almost every other state. Some of our most popular resources include South Louisiana Vital Family Records (nicknamed the “Father Hebert books”) which are fabulous for looking up early birth, marriage, and death records. Also, we have Terrebonne Parish census records, indexed obituaries, cemetery records, and microfilm images of Terrebonne Parish newspapers back to 1855.


You should also take advantage of two very useful online databases: Ancestry.com Library Edition and Heritage Quest Online. Ancestry.com can only be used in the library and features searchable marriage, death, military enlistment, and census records from all U.S. states as well as other countries. Heritage Quest Online consists of U.S. census records, local histories, and book searches. It can be used in the library or at home using your library card number.



Once you begin your research, the library provides several charts to use. In particular, we have 3 Generation Pedigree Charts, 6 Generation Pedigree Charts, and Family Group Record Sheets (which includes siblings). So, if you’ve ever considered mapping out your family tree, the library has everything you need to get started!

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

Need a place to study?

With the holiday season over for a while, many of us are looking ahead to midterm exams and of course those dreaded cram sessions. Fortunately, the library can help you get on the right track by providing the perfect setting. The main library has several study rooms where you can meet to study with a group. You can book a room for up to 6 people for free. All you need is a library card. To do this you can come in and ask to reserve a study room at the reference desk or you can call and reserve one over the phone at 985-876-5861 ext. 201 or 202. Our study rooms are equipped with tables, chairs, dry erase boards, wireless internet, and electrical outlets for your laptop.

For those who prefer to study alone, the library has a Quiet Study room. Quiet Study is perfect for any individual who needs a quiet place to read or write. You don’t need a reservation to use the Quiet Study room; you can walk in anytime. The room is full of tables, comfy chairs, and a lot of windows. Like the study rooms, it has wireless internet access and laptop plug-ins.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Happy Birthday Thomas Edison!



February 11th is Thomas Alva Edison’s birthday! This American inventor and scientist is most famous for his invention of the incandescent light bulb. However, he also invented the phonograph, motion pictures, and created one of the first research laboratories in modern science. In his lifetime, he was issued over 1,000 U.S. patents, the most the U.S. patent office has ever issued to any individual. He also received patents in over two dozen other countries. All while struggling with hearing loss since he was 15 years old. To read more about Edison’s accomplishments, check out the sites below or visit your library for some enlightening reading material.

More information:

Thomasedison.com


Timeline of Thomas Edison's life


Books about Thomas Edison at your library

Monday, February 1, 2010

Houma Parade Schedule 2010

You asked for it, and now here it is! This is the schedule of Mardi Gras Parades that will roll in Terrebonne Parish. The Main Library will close at FIVE O'CLOCK for those parades highlighted in red. The entire library system will be CLOSED completely on Mardi Gras Day.



Friday, February 5th
6:00 pm, Krewe of Hercules (Houma)


Saturday, February 6th
Noon, Bayou Tee Callou (Chauvin)
6:30 pm, Krewe of Aquiruis (Houma)

Sunday, February 7th
12:30 pm, Krewe of Hyacinthians (Houma)

Friday, February 12th
6:30 pm, Krewe of Aphrodite (Houma)


Saturday, February 13th
6:30 pm, Krewe of Mardi Gras (Houma)


Sunday, February 14th
12:30 pm, Krewe Terreanians (Houma)
Following Terreanians, Krewe of Tut (Houma)
2:00pm , Krewe of Montegut (Montegut)

Monday, February 15th, Lundi Gras Day
6:30 pm, Krewe of Cleopatra (Houma)



Tuesday, February 16th, Mardi Gras Day
11:00 am, Krewe of Houmas (Houma)
Following Houmas, Krewe of Kajuns (Houma)
4:00 pm, Bonne Terre (Montegut)