Posted on Apr 14, 2026 | Blog
Keep Louisiana Beautiful Partners with Public Libraries During Love the Boot Week and National Library Week to Clean Up Litter Across the State
BATON ROUGE, La. – Public libraries across Louisiana are helping lead the charge for cleaner, greener communities during Love the Boot Week, April 18–26, 2026 – Louisiana’s largest statewide litter removal and beautification effort, organized by Keep Louisiana Beautiful and Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser.
This year, Love the Boot Week coincides with National Library Week from April 19–25, highlighting the vital role libraries play not only as centers of learning, but as catalysts for community engagement and environmental stewardship.
“Libraries are some of the most trusted and accessible institutions in our state, and they’re proving to be powerful partners in the fight against litter. By putting cleanup tools directly into the hands of our citizens, we’re turning everyday moments into meaningful action for Louisiana,” said Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser. “When we invest in partnerships like this, we’re not just cleaning up litter – we’re shaping a culture of responsibility and pride that will carry forward for generations. Louisiana’s libraries are helping lead that movement, one community at a time.”
One of the key ways libraries are supporting a cleaner Louisiana is through the Get Down & Clean Up program, a collaboration between Keep Louisiana Beautiful and 175 libraries across 45 parishes. The program equips libraries with cleanup supply kits and educational resources, making it easy for residents of all ages to act against litter in their own communities.
With a library card, patrons can check out litter grabbers and trash bags – transforming a simple library visit into an opportunity to give back. To date, the program has recorded 2,459 checkouts, with many families and community groups expected to utilize these kits during Love the Boot Week events.
“Love the Boot Week and National Library Week falling together this year is a perfect reminder that libraries are community hubs – not just for books, but for action,” said Deputy State Librarian Giovanni Tairov. “Get Down and Clean Up puts cleanup supplies directly in the hands of library cardholders, making it easy for anyone with a library card to step outside and do their part during Louisiana’s largest litter removal effort. We’re proud to partner with Keep Louisiana Beautiful to help turn library visits into cleaner neighborhoods.”
The program continues to expand, with new participants including the SOWELA Community College Library, all six branches of the St. Charles Parish Library, and all nine branches of the Avoyelles Parish Library system – broadening access to cleanup resources and environmental education statewide.
In addition to lending cleanup kits, libraries are hosting local cleanup events and engaging residents through creative initiatives like the statewide poster contest, which encourages children to celebrate what they love about Louisiana while promoting litter prevention and community pride.
Participating libraries include Calcasieu Parish Public Library, East Baton Rouge Parish Library, East Carroll Parish Library, Evangeline Parish Library, Jackson Parish Library, Jefferson Parish Library (Lafitte Library), Martin Library, the State Library of Louisiana, and Union Parish Library.
“St. Charles Parish Library is proud to partner with Keep Louisiana Beautiful for the Get Down & Clean Up campaign as a natural extension of the library’s role in serving our community,” said Leann Benedict, library director of St. Charles Parish Library. “This initiative highlights how libraries can be both centers of learning and catalysts for civic engagement, bringing people together to care for the places we all share.”
During Love the Boot Week and throughout the year, residents are encouraged to visit participating libraries to check out cleanup supplies and take an active role in keeping Louisiana beautiful.
For more information about the Get Down & Clean Up program or to find a Love the Boot Week event near you, visit KeepLouisianaBeautiful.org.
