ENROLLED
2020 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 3
BY REPRESENTATIVE EDMONSTON
A RESOLUTION
To posthumously commend Angelle Deshautelles on thirty-three years of service to the
Ascension Parish Library.
WHEREAS, Ms. Deshautelles first joined the Ascension Parish Library as assistant
director in 1987, three years after earning her master's degree in library science from
Southern Mississippi University; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Deshautelles became director of the Ascension Parish Library in
1992; throughout her early years with the library, she relentlessly promoted reading and
emphasized the library's importance in the Ascension Parish community; and
WHEREAS, Angelle led the library through a period of tremendous growth; during
her directorship the Ascension Parish Library added new locations in Galvez and Dutchtown,
and existing locations were expanded and renovated; she also advocated for the purchase of
land in St. Amant, which will be the site of another library in Ascension Parish; and
WHEREAS, in 2005, Ms. Deshautelles proposed a cooperative agreement with
Ascension Parish to finance construction of the Dutchtown library location and the
expansion and renovation of the Gonzales location without increasing taxes; and
WHEREAS, her impact extended beyond the creation and renovation of additional
library locations; Ms. Deshautelles played a critical role in the planning and implementation
of many focused library services and initiatives, such as technology resource rooms, with
computers, internet service, and computer classes, which facilitated a fundamental shift away
from exclusively paper materials towards computers and electronic media; and
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WHEREAS, Angelle also pushed for the addition of an outreach vehicle to expand
the libraries' services to underserved areas of the parish as well as the adoption of adult
literacy and English as a second language programs; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Deshautelle's professionalism motivated her to join the American
Library Association, the Public Library Association, and the Louisiana Library Association,
the latter of which she served as an officer from 2001 to 2004; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Deshautelles's accomplishments were often recognized by her
peers; the Ascension Parish Library was awarded the James O. Modisette Award for Public
Libraries in 1994, 2000, and 2014, making it the only library in Louisiana to achieve this
award three times under the same director, and she received the Anthony H. Benoit Mid-
Career Award in 2004 and the Essae Mae Culver Distinguished Service Award in 2014; and
WHEREAS, Ms. Angelle Deshautelles understood and emphasized the value of
public libraries, and her willingness to give to her community and assist her fellow librarians
is certainly worthy of recognition, gratitude, and commendation.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby posthumously commend Angelle Deshautelles, former
Ascension Parish Library director, on her service to the Louisiana community and dedication
to the public library system; does hereby express genuine appreciation for the work of Ms.
Deshautelles; and does hereby eternally record her amazing and inspiring career with the
Ascension Parish Library.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
family of Ms. Angelle Deshautelles and the director of the Ascension Parish Library.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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