The Eden Park Branch Library has an open floor plan, which is an untraditional layout for most libraries. The staff call this one of the library’s “quirks.” Noises and conversation can be heard across the library, and at peak hours the space is filled with laughter and lively conversation. 

Kallan Jackson, the branch manager, says the branch of the East Baton Rouge Parish Library attracts people from all walks of life. 

“I like that we’re used by so many different people just within this branch and definitely all throughout the parish,” Jackson says. “All incomes, all races. Every demographic I think we hit, which is something good.”

These qualities define the branch and push new initiatives. Recently, Eden Park joined other Baton Rouge community branches in establishing a blood pressure monitoring station. 

Blood pressure monitoring stations were first implemented at the Delmont Gardens Branch Library and have since trickled into other branches like Eden Park. 

Courtesy of the Albemarle Foundation and the American Heart Association, library patrons can now check their blood pressure for free and learn about heart health resources. 

Jackson says the service can save money for patrons whose doctors have recommended that they regularly monitor their blood pressure.

“Do you want to spend money going out and buying that equipment? You don’t have to here,” Jackson says. “You can come in here every day and just check on it, and you can just check out one of the kits.”

In establishing this program at Eden Park, the branch emphasizes community health and makes care more accessible. Jackson says that even staff members have taken advantage of the new initiative.

Eden Park has also established a Seed Library – a series of compartments that hold an assortment of vegetable, fruit, herb and flower seeds. 

At no cost, library patrons can choose seeds they like and take them home to their soon-to-be gardens. This seed library operates on an honor system and encourages new hobbies, solutions to rising grocery prices and community engagement. Patrons can also donate seeds to the library as a way of paying it forward. 

The idea to start the library at Eden Park came after Hilary Destouet, the branch’s reference librarian, hosted a painting and planting event.

“It had a pretty decent turnout and then after that, I had some materials left over. So, I decided to do some grab-and-go bags.” says Destouet, who maintains the seed library. 

The grab-and-go bags had an assortment of flower seeds and herbs along with instructions for beginner planters. Patrons were lined up outside the library doors to snag one of the bags, Jackson adds, and the bags were gone within an hour.

The grab-and-go bags have evolved into the Seed Library.

“It gives people access,” Destouet says. “Whether that’s, ‘Hey, I just like the garden. I like to plant things’ or if it’s, ‘Hey, I actually need food and I wanna plant these things just to see if they grow and I can have food for my family.’”

Eden Park is overflowing with new initiatives and programs. The Seed Library and the branch’s focus on community health are just two projects that exude the community that Eden Park represents. 

The branch is also popular for its meeting rooms where patrons, non-profits, politicians and local community groups can host their organizations. Library goers can also borrow wifi through the library’s hotspot program. Hotspots can be borrowed for three weeks at no cost and with none other than patrons’ library cards. 

“Seeing how we plug into society and how we help fill those gaps or even just make those bridges to connect people to resources, that’s what the library is about,” Jackson says. “We’ve just expanded and I think we’ll keep expanding.”

Eden Park Branch Library is a public library located on 5131 Greenwell Springs Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70806. It is open seven days a week, Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. – 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., and Sunday from 2 p.m. –  6 p.m.. Phone: (225) 231-3240.

This story was reported and written by a student with the support of the non-profit Louisiana Collegiate News Collaborative, an LSU-led coalition of eight universities funded by the Henry Luce and John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur foundations.