Several factors have signaled the need for a new facility to service the West Bank. The Roland Borne, Sr. Memorial Library sustained storm damage during Hurricane Ida. Despite attempts to mitigate, humidity issues have caused structural damage to materials in the library’s collection. In addition, the roots from surrounding oak trees have grown into the sewer system and impacted the library’s plumbing and foundation. The rebuild will also provide the opportunity to modernize library services.

The reconstruction of the Norris J. Millet Sr. Library in LaPlace is also moving forward and is currently in the schematic design phase, with construction estimated for 2027-2028. The Library Board of Control selected the West Bank for its next construction project due to the timeline allowing for the design of the Central Branch in LaPlace while simultaneously proceeding with the build in Edgard.

The Edgard library construction project is fully budgeted through the library’s savings account for the past two years and will not increase taxes.

In November 2025, the public voted to renew (not increase) the library’s pre-existing 9.94 mill property tax. The continuation of this tax funds 96% of the library’s budget for another 10 years and ensures operations can be sustained after the new Edgard library is constructed. The millage renewal was also crucial for the LaPlace Branch reconstruction to move forward.

The construction project has been estimated to last 12-18 months.

The current location at 2979 Highway 18 in Edgard closed to the public, effective May 1, 2026. An interim location will open behind the Edgard Courthouse at 159 East Third St. to offer public access to library materials, print/copy/fax services, and meeting space during this transition. St. John the Baptist Parish Library has been granted approval for a minor upfit to the temporary site to achieve ADA compliance for a public facility. The library is awaiting a permit for interim construction to commence.  The opening date of the temporary site will be announced when this upfit is completed.

Amenities of the new Roland Borne, Sr. Memorial Library will include meeting rooms of multiple sizes, a recording space, a teen room with gaming systems, a children’s area with an interactive play space, food vending machines, and a generator for the library to be open following disasters.

Public engagement meetings with the design team were held in August of 2024 and April of 2025. Feedback from these meetings was incorporated into the architectural designs of the new building.

Investing in modern, resilient libraries prioritizes access to technology, educational programs, and safe gathering spaces for St. John the Baptist Parish residents. Beyond books, St. John the Baptist Parish Library offers access to copy/print/fax services, Wi-Fi and hotspots, DVDs and streaming media, digital databases, virtual talks with bestselling authors, online tutoring, a high school completion program, legal resources, professional development courses, museum passes, meeting rooms, Makerspace technology, and much more.

In 2025, St. John the Baptist Parish Library recorded 53,174 library visits, 15,174 computer sessions, and 31,684 materials circulated. The library also hosts free educational and recreational programming for all ages. The library reached 20,255 people through in-person programming and 2,297 people through virtual programming in 2025.