Nora Navra Library to reopen with celebration

Good new library lovers. The new Nora Navra Library in New Orleans will open Friday, Aug. 24 with a celebration featuring New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and city officials from 2pm - 5pm. The celebration will continue from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug, 25, fun activities for everyone.

The Nora Navra Library, originally called Branch 9 of the New Orleans Public Library, opened in two temporary locations in 1946. The original permanent 2,500-square-foot building, located at 1902 St. Bernard Ave., was dedicated as the Nora Navra Library on May 2, 1954. The building was severely damaged during Hurricane Katrina and remained closed until it was demolished in 2017. With construction on the new 7,800-square-foot building completed, all six libraries that were damaged beyond repair by Hurricane Katrina have been rebuilt.

Nora Navra Library's hours are as follows:

Mondays from 10am - 8pm

Tuesdays from 10am - 8pm

Wednesdays from 10am - 8pm

Thursdays from 10am - 8pm

Fridays from 10am - 5pm

Saturdays from 10am - 5pm

Read more about the library here.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Cleaning grave markers topic of library seminar

Casey Stuart, a local preservationist and president of the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans, will discuss “Tips for Cleaning Grave Markers” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 15, 2018, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

This event is free and is open to the public.

During the presentation, Stuart will discuss the following points.

1. What kind of stone is the marker and is the stone cleanable? Most grave markers are made of sandstone, slate, marble, limestone or granite. Stuart says that the type of stone will determine what technique should be used to clean it.
    
2. Strategies for cleaning. Stuart says that the first rule when cleaning a grave marker is to be patient and gentle. The overall objective is to not harm the stone. 
    
3. Tools needed to clean a grave marker. Stuart will discuss various types and sizes of brushes, as well as the softness of the brushes used. He will discuss natural bristle brushes as well as plastic versions. He’ll also focus on plastic scrapers as a way to remove biological activity. 
    

Casey Stuart worked for more than 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and retired in 2003. After retiring, he went to Tulane University where he earned a Master Degree in Preservation Studies. He currently teaches a course on Historical New Orleans at The Sharing Program at St. Francis Xavier Church in Metairie and has previously taught New Orleans History for The People Program of New Orleans. He is President of the Louisiana Landmarks Society and Second Vice-President of the Genealogical Research Society of New Orleans. He is a specialist in the architectural history of New Orleans, and he has lectured extensively on New Orleans history and architecture topics and on the historic cemeteries of New Orleans.

Also this week at the library is Casey Stuart, president of the Genealogical Society of Greater New Orleans, who will present “Helpful Information on Cemeteries That Every Genealogist Should Know” at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 17, at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie.

Stuart will discuss three topics:

·         How genealogists can identify the different types of interment found in New Orleans area cemeteries.

·         Do’s and Don’ts when visiting a cemetery.

·         The issue of abandoned tomb seizures by cemetery officials.

Casey Stuart worked for 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry and retired in 2003. After retiring, he went to Tulane University where he earned a Master of Preservation Studies degree. He has previously served as President of the Louisiana Landmarks Society and was Chair of the 2013 New Orleans Nine Committee for the Louisiana Landmarks Society. He served as Vice President for Education and Community Outreach and on the board of Save Our Cemeteries. He is a member of numerous other historical and genealogical organizations and has lectured extensively on New Orleans history, architecture topics and on the historic cemeteries of New Orleans.

For more information regarding this presentation, contact Chris Smith, Manager of Adult Programming for the library, at 504-889-8143 or wcsmith@jefferson.lib.la.us.

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.

Fall 2018 genealogy classes at Metairie library

The New Orleans Public Library will present four genealogy classes for beginners and intermediate researchers this fall at the East Bank Regional Library, 4747 W. Napoleon, Metairie. This event is free and is open to the public. There is no registration.

7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2018 - Obituaries for Beginners

New to obituaries?  Always wondered what an obituary is and what it can be used for? This introductory talk will explain how to find, read and understand obituaries. A story usually starts at the beginning, but sometimes genealogists can learn more by starting at the end.

7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2018 - Navigating Historic New Orleans Newspapers

Learn how to use online databases and get the most out of a search. This course will focus on how to navigate the Historic Newspapers database (Newsbank), including printing and saving. It will also walk patrons through various searching methods and provide lessons on how to ensure patrons are searching most efficiently. 

7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018 - Introduction to Property Research Resources 

This class will provide beginners with an introduction to property research resources focusing on Orleans Parish. This includes free resources available online as well as resources housed in the Louisiana Division/City Archives.

7 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2018 - Introduction to Ancestry and HeritageQuest

Patrons will learn how to access and navigate both the Ancestry and HeritageQuest genealogy databases. Staff will explain the available resources, review searching methods and tips, and provide examples. This class will also cover some general troubleshooting methods. 

Amanda Fallis will lead the first and fourth sessions. She has been a professional archivist for more than two years and has been an employee of New Orleans Public library for more than five years. She received her Masters of Library and Information Science with a special certification in archives and special collections in 2015 from the University of Southern Mississippi’s School of Library and Information Science. Amanda joined the Louisiana Division/City Archives and Special Collections that same year, where she has worked with the department’s extensive genealogy and city records, as well as with hundreds of other historic collections. Fallis is a member of the Society of American Archivists, Louisiana Archives and Manuscripts Association, and the Louisiana Library Association.

--> Christina Bryant will lead the second and third sessions. She is a Certified Archivist, has worked as the Head of the Louisiana Division/City Archives and Special Collection at the New Orleans Public Library since 2015. She previously worked on Hurricane Katrina recovery projects and as an archivist at the Notarial Archives before joining the staff at the Louisiana Division/City Archives in 2013. She manages a collection that dates back to 1769 and whose contents are housed across three floors of the Main Library. Bryant received her master’s degree in Library and Information Science with a specialization in archives from Louisiana State University in 2005. She currently serves as the president of the Greater New Orleans Archivists and the Chair of the Local Government Records Section for the Society of American Archivists. 

Louisiana Book News is written by award-winning author Chere Dastugue Coen, who writes Louisiana romances and mysteries under the pen name of Cherie Claire. Her first book in each series is FREE to download as an ebook, including "Emilie," book one of The Cajun Series, "Ticket to Paradise," book one of The Cajun Embassy series and "A Ghost of a Chance," the first Viola Valentine mystery.