Friends of the St. John the Baptist Parish Library is a nonprofit organization comprised of community members who advocate for and raise funds to support Library programs and resources.

Friends of St. John the Baptist Parish Library is currently led by President Russ Wise and Treasurer Greg “Za” Maurin.

Wise, a retired broadcast journalist, served on the St. John the Baptist Parish School Board for nearly 20 years. He is known for appearing as Santa Claus at area schools, daycares, hospitals and nursing homes, through which he has helped secure funds for local civic groups and animal shelters.

Maurin currently serves as a Justice of the Peace in St. John the Baptist Parish and helps lead Keep St. John Beautiful. He is known for being a former community relations officer for the St. John Parish Sheriff’s Office, a district attorney investigator, and past president of St. John United Way.

Friends of the Library welcomes new members. Annual memberships start as low as $5 for students, $10 for seniors, and $20 for adults.

Your time can be just as valuable as monetary donations. Funds collected through book sales and other Friends of the Library efforts go toward the purchase of materials for programming and Summer Reading activities for children, teens, and adults.

If you are interested in joining or volunteering with the Friends of the St. John the Baptist Parish Library, please call 985-652-6857 or email Assistant Library Director Amy Riche’ at [email protected].