Roots and New Beginnings

Today, I, Laura, write our first blog post from a window-side table in the adult section of our city's newest public library. I am at the South Branch of East Baton Rouge Parish Public Library system. It is located in the Rouzan section of town, bordering Southdowns. Bordered and close enough to LSU and the medical corridor of south Baton Rouge. My window overlooks a giant oak tree centered in the courtyard. It is a bright blue, sunny day as we soon close the month of March.

This library was a dream for many years. A small, neighborhood branch in an area of town where multiple neighborhoods gather. Rouzan used to be farmland. I grew up passing cows and hay-bales in a field for the Ford farm. I grew up minutes from the farm--a bicycle ride away. Now, this library is still a bicycle-ride away from my folks' place--there's backroads to it.

A library is not why I write today. I write as a patron who loves the quiet and the sense of belonging. A place to go to and study and work on nonprofit stuff. I have autism (and ADHD). I love to procrastinate at home (for a long list of things), but, at libraries, I tend to procrastinate less. I have this spring 2025 newsletter for Autism Society Greater Baton Rouge (ASGBR) to work on. April is National Autism Acceptance Month. The idea I had was to turn our newsletter into a blog--a blog that could be split into different sections--different newsletter editions would be sections. In addition to the newsletter section for posts, writers could contribute pieces about different events and experiences that ASGBR hosts. As a result of it all, readers/subscribers could be emailed an e-newsletter but also receive updates to what's hip and happening.

The old-school method for newsletters was pen and paper and over time, Microsoft Publisher. Paper printed. Nowadays, newsletters exist in pdf format and litter email inboxes as well as multiple papers printed--platforms like Canva and Adobe exist to create endless possibilities. Like libraries of the past, books were the norm. Paperback, hardback, magazines, media as cassettes, compact discs, and videotapes. As time evolved the options changed to mp3 audio, DVD's, Blu-Ray discs, e-books, and compact discs with recorded audio books. Nowadays, streaming services offer the perks--subscription services on the clouds. A library is both a physical and intangible place. Walls with carpet, chairs, desks, couches, and staff to help you find what you need. But also, devices with collections of endless resources.

I write this as an introduction to many things. Our spring 2025 newsletter started as a quest for "All Things Sensory" in the area and evolved into two parts. The sensory thing plus highlighting the "Autism Is" campaign for the Autism Society of America's 60th anniversary in 2025.