The Library welcomes author Sam Irwin to the Main Library at Goodwood on Wednesday, July 2 at 6p.m. to discuss his book, The Hidden History of Louisiana’s Jazz Age. His talk will focus on New Orleans-born jazz trumpeter, Louis Armstrong, world famous and one of America’s biggest and most recognizable celebrities. Armstrong, a brilliant and talented man, transcended poverty, prejudice, and Jim Crow to forge a successful career as a musician, actor, and entertainer. Among other interesting historical facts, the author will share his research and findings into the relationship between Louis Armstrong's birthday and the racialized celebration of Independence Day in the early 20th Century.

Celebrate Independence Day with the Baton Rouge Concert Band! Join them for a patriotic evening of music and fun at the Main Library at Goodwood as they present their annual Celebration Concert on Friday, July 4 at 7 p.m. Bring your chairs, refreshments, and patriotic spirit for a night filled with uplifting tunes. This free, family-friendly event will feature a rousing selection of American classics, marches, and tributes that honor the spirit of Independence Day. Come enjoy the music, atmosphere, and joy of gathering in celebration of our nation's birthday.

Exonerated: Portraits of the Wrongfully Convicted is a powerful art exhibit featuring ceramic busts of 23 men wrongfully imprisoned in Louisiana. Sculpted by artist Becky Gottsegen, the portraits honor those unjustly incarcerated, highlighting the devastating personal toll of wrongful convictions while aiming to humanize and raise awareness about systemic injustice. Join Ms. Gottsegen at the Main Library at Goodwood on Sunday, July 6 at 2 p.m. for a reception where she will discuss her work on this project. Registration is required. To register, visit ebrpl.co/events. The exhibit will be on display in the lobby at the Main Library at Goodwood through July 31.

Families are invited to join Bright Star Theater for an imaginative ride through Wonderland with the Queen of Hearts, Cheshire Cat, Mad Hatter, and Alice! Enjoy this exciting adventure at select Library branches during July. Registration may be required to attend. Call the Library location directly for registration information.

• Thursday, July 10 at 2 p.m. – South Branch Library

Lights, camera, action! The Library will host a Filmmaker Forum at the Main Library at Goodwood on Sunday, July 13 at 6 p.m. as we anticipate this year’s Baton Rouge Maker Faire which will focus on the art of making films. Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival will present selected short films from their upcoming festival, along with presentations on acting, lighting, and finance. This networking event will provide attendees with a chance to meet other local creatives interested in the filmmaking industry.

The Library continues its Author Talk Series in July with three amazing children’s authors and

one for adults! Each live, virtual event features a different bestselling author, along with an interactive Q&A session where participants can ask questions directly to the author. See July selections and dates/times below. Visit libraryc.org/ebrpl to register for these virtual events, learn about other upcoming conversations with bestselling authors, and view previous author talk recordings. For more information about these and other virtual events, visit ebrpl.co/virtual.

• Tuesday, July 8 at 1 p.m. & 3 p.m. (PreK-2nd grade) – Join author and illustrator Raúl the

Third as he discusses his book ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Read! Meet Little Lobo and friends as they

explore their library's Libro Love Book Festival! From cookbook demonstrations and comics

workshops to mask making and language classes, this library has something for everyone, and

Little Lobo can’t wait to show you. Students will be encouraged to explore their world through a

creative lens. A draw-along is planned; drawing supplies and paper are recommended. Please

note that we will be hosting Raúl the Third twice on this date, once in Spanish and in English. Be

sure that you are registering for your preferred format.

• Thursday, July 17 at 3 p.m. (9th-12th grade) – Explore the intricate world of Legend with Marie Lu as she encourages readers to look beyond the surface and reveal hidden secrets. Explore the depths of deceit, battle for power, and the lengths characters will go to unmask the Truth. Legend is a dystopian novel where two unlikely characters, June and Day, cross paths in search for the Truth. Can they set aside their differences and preconceptions for the greater good?

Readers will devour Marie Lu’s words as they are challenged to think critically about the world

around them and reminded to never judge a book by its cover.

• Wednesday, July 23 at 3 p.m. (5th-8th grade) – You’re invited to join us online with award-

winning author Rex Ogle as he talks to viewers about his struggles to navigate sixth grade as

written in his book, Free Lunch. As a poor kid in a wealthy school district, better-off kids crowd

impatiently behind him as he tries to explain to the cashier that he’s on the free meal program.

The lunch lady is hard of hearing, so Rex has to shout. Free Lunch is the story of Rex’s efforts to

navigate his first semester of sixth grade—who to sit with, not being able to join the football

team, Halloween in a handmade costume, classmates and a teacher who take one look at him and decide he’s trouble – all while wearing secondhand clothes and being hungry. Unsparing and realistic, Free Lunch is a story of hardship threaded with hope and moments of grace.

• Thursday, July 31 at 1 p.m. – You’re invited to a fascinating conversation with neurologist and

author Pria Anand to chat about her new book The Mind Electric: A Neurologist on the

Strangeness and Wonder of Our Brains. The Mind Electric speaks to the stories we tell ourselves

about our brains and the stories that our brains tell to us. A girl believes she has been struck blind for stealing a kiss. A mother watches helplessly as each of her children is replaced by a

changeling. A woman is haunted each month by the same four chords of a single song. In

neurology, illness is inextricably linked with narrative, the clues to unraveling these mysteries

hidden in both the details of a patient's story and the tells of their body. Anand reveals—through

case study, history, fable, and memoir—all that the medical establishment has overlooked: the

complexity and wonder of brains in health and in extremis, and the vast gray area between sanity

and insanity, doctor and patient, and illness and wellness, each separated from the next by the thin veneer of a different story.

Teens are invited to the Carver Branch Library for an Album Jacket Painting Workshop led by local artist Ellemnop on Monday, July 28 at 2 p.m. Transform vintage record jackets into bold, expressive works of art!

Aloha, 20-somethings, and welcome to Hawaii! The sun is setting on the beach, and friends of private eye Chase Diamond have gathered at a luau to celebrate his birthday. The impromptu party quickly turns into a woeful wake when Chase is poisoned by one of his guests. Was it friend or foe who fatally freshened his favorite cocktail? It's up to you to find out! Join us at the Pride-Chaneyville Branch Library on Wednesday, July 16 at 5 p.m. for an evening of mysterious fun!

The BBR Knights Chess Club invites all chess enthusiasts in Baton Rouge to celebrate International Chess Day at the South Branch Library on Sunday, July 20 at 2:30 p.m. All ages and skill levels are welcome. We will have a chess puzzle competition, an "exhibition simul match,” a scavenger hunt, arts and crafts, a showing of the movie Queen of Katwe, and more!

Meet Heather Kinsel, the artist of the amazing Resin Geode Artwork display at the Zachary Branch Library on Saturday, July 19 at 10 a.m. Heather shares about her work, "I let God's beauty and grace flow through my creativity into my artwork." The present display has several pieces that were inspired by women of the Bible and their stories. The exhibit can be viewed at the Zachary Branch throughout the month of July.

For more information or to see a complete listing of events, call (225) 231-3750 or visit us online at www.ebrpl.com.