On January 18, 1919, some of the most powerful people in the world meet in Paris, France to begin the long, complicated negotiations that would officially mark the end of the First World War.   www.history.com

Ascension Parish Library in Gonzales hosts a five-week reading and discussion series on the aftermath of World War I.  This series offers the reading public an opportunity to examine this conflict’s aftermath in detail and to understand the impact World War I had on human lives and the economic, social, and political pressures put on the countries involved. 

Dr. Karl Roider, Alumni Professor Emeritus of Louisiana State University, leads five sessions with open discussions supported by the text, Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan.  Paris 1919 is an historical narrative about the six months of negotiations that took place at the Paris Peace Conference following WWI.  MacMillan gives a dramatic and intimate view of the engaging history made when peacemakers from around the world converged on Paris to shape world peace.

The series, Aftermath of World War I, meets Tuesdays starting November 5 and concluding on December 3, at 6:00 PM.  Participation in the series is limited.  Readers, who are interested in committing to the five-week program, must register in advance, either in person or by calling the library at 647-3955.  Every reader receives a copy of Paris 1919: Six Months that Changed the World by Margaret MacMillan to check out, so a current library card will be needed.  Registration begins on Tuesday, October 15.

This series is funded under a grant from the Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities, the state affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.  Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Hey tweens, the popular online video game comes to life at Ascension Parish Library! Drop in, scavenge for materials, and try to be the last one standing! Join the Fortnite Battle Royale on Saturday, November 2 at 10:30 AM in Galvez, Tuesday, November 19 at 4:30 PM in Donaldsonville, Saturday, November 23 at 10:30 in Gonzales, or Tuesday November 26 at 4:00 PM in Dutchtown. Dance when victory is yours!

Have you ever created art so bad that you thought could win an award for just how terrible it was?  Here’s your chance to win the coveted APL Bad Art Crown! The Ascension Parish Library is having a bad art competition for teens and will be crowning the Best of the Worst.  Come test your skills, or lack thereof, and make some wonderfully terrible art at one of our four locations.  

Are you an aspiring writer looking for information on writing and publishing novels?  In conjunction with National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), join USA Today bestselling author Farrah Rochon at the Ascension Parish Library in Dutchtown on Tuesday, November 19, at 6:30 PM as she talks about the ins and outs of crafting and publishing a novel.

Farrah, a Louisiana author, has garnered much acclaim for her Holmes Brothers, New York Sabers, Bayou Dreams and Moments in Maplesville series.  The two-time RITA® Award finalist has also been nominated for an RT BOOKReviews Reviewers Choice Award, and in 2015 received the Emma Award for Author of the Year. Farrah serves as Director-at-Large on the national board of directors of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and she is a member of RWA’s Southern Louisiana Chapter.

For more information or to register for this program, call (225) 673-8699.  For more information on National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo), visit www.nanowrimo.org.