Tangipahoa Parish, La. On, Monday, March 19th Tangipahoa Parish Library received a $1,000 grant from Entergy for the two story Discovery Tree of the Children’s Room in the new Amite Branch Library, set to open later this year. The Discovery Tree will include computers with educational software, and during their exploration of the Discovery Tree, children can uncover these facts by opening doors and drawers to learn new things.
The Discovery Tree has been designed by Holly & Smith Architects of Hammond and is being built by Mr. Pat Ferrell of Signcrafters in Hammond. The $1,000 aid comes through the Entergy Open Grant Program, which seeks giving opportunities in areas of art and culture, community improvement/enrichment, the environment, and healthy families. Educational initiatives are funded mainly through the Entergy Charitable Foundation. In considering requests for grants, Entergy places priority on programs in specific counties/parishes.
Pictured here is Entergy Customer Service Specialist Eunice Harris presenting Director of Tangipahoa Parish Library System, Barry Bradford with the grant check. This is a partial Entergy contribution for the Discovery Tree feature. “Entergy is focused on raising Louisiana high school graduation rates to more than 80%. Therefore, the library was one of its initial focus points”, says Harris. “This Discovery Tree will definitely attract more students to the library more often and will keep them in the library longer while doing research, reading e-books, producing qualitative homework assignments, and thus, improving their reading and comprehension skills. The roots of the Tree will have walk-in openings to access computer monitors in the walls. Therefore, in the future, this Tree will definitely make a positive impact on “successful” high school, technical, and college graduation rates” says Harris. “The Tree will also impact LEAP, EOC, and GEE scores in nearby schools because ‘when you read more, you learn more’. Whatever it takes to get the kids to the library to read more often, Entergy wants to be a part of it” says Harris. “Students need to spend more time reading, and this Discovery Tree will expand reading AND research skills.”
Also, Harris was impressed to learn that the library was designed to incorporate 21st century materials and technology, ensuring energy efficiency and optimum indoor environmental quality. The library will maintain a comfortable temperature setting while reducing the cycling time of the AC units, and so reducing energy usage. “This high-tech design will make a positive impact on the environment – another Entergy focus. The Discovery Tree and energy-efficient technology go hand-in-hand toward providing a healthy environment for future successful graduates to live in. Entergy is proud to be a part of academic success and a healthy environment”, says Harris.
“The Discovery Tree feature is one of the most important in the the new Amite Branch Library,” Bradford says. “We are delighted with this opportunity to partner with Entergy to make a positive difference in the lives of the children in Tangipahoa Parish.” As construction continues on the new branch, anticipation continues to build across the parish about the various amenities and features of this new state-of-the-art facility set to open later this fall.