JGRLS REPORTS AND MEETINGS

The East Central Public Library held their annual "Be Thankful" Essay contest sponsored the Friends of the Library. The East Central 5th and 6th grade students were asked to write about the many things in their lives for which they should give thanks.

Friends of the East Central Public Library were able to hear the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners share their essays during the November Thanksgiving luncheon and meeting.

Sixth grade winners were; Rayna Guillotte - 1st, Kaytee Cochran - 2nd, Savannah Herrington - 3rd, Taylor Coe - 4th, Kody Humphry - 5th, and Damion Cole - 6th.

Fifth grade winners were; Kye Smith - 1st, Peyton Ivey - 2nd, Briana Wells - 3rd, Michaelyn Lewelling - 4th, Collin Beech - 5th, and Sania Wells - 6th.

"We had 229 participants this year," said library youth services assistant Micki Lofton. "We would like to extend many thanks to all students who participated. We also invite all students and their parents to visit and read the essay display in the library. They’re all so inspiring and heartwarming," she said.

Read first place winning essays here. All entries will be on display in the library until the end of November. Afterwards, the students can get them to share their essays with their families over the holidays.

Pictured left to right are winners of the East Central Public Library "Be Thankful" essay contest. Sixth grade winners were; Rayna Guillotte - 1st, Kaytee Cochran - 2nd, Savannah Herrington - 3rd. Fifth grade winners were; Kye Smith - 1st, Peyton Ivey - 2nd, and Briana Wells - 3rd.

OS Class of '66 donates books to Ocean Springs Library in memory of Joe Bosco

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library was the recipient of books by the late Joe Bosco. Mr. Bosco graduated from Ocean Springs High School in 1966.

His books "A Problem of Evidence: How the Prosecution Freed O.J. Simpson," "The Boys Who Would Be Cubs," and "Blood Will Tell" were donated by the Class of 1966 alumni.

Bosco was born Aug. 30, 1948, in Biloxi, MS, and lived much of his life in New Orleans. He earned a bachelors degree in fine arts at the University of Southern Mississippi in 1972 and a masters in fine arts at the University of New Orleans in 1976. He held a string of odd jobs before becoming a full-time writer in 1984.

Accepting the donations from the 1966 Alumni is library manager Jeanne Jones along with Harold Manuel, organizer of the OSHS reunion and Steve Rasor, OSHS Class of 1966 student body president.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System recently celebrated local library volunteers at the Annual Volunteer Reception at the Pascagoula Public Library. Along with a reception, the volunteers from the eight branch libraries received a certificate recognizing their service to the library.

Volunteers donated over 15,454 hours of service to the library system for 2010 - 2011. Those hours represent the equivalent of more than seven full-time employees. Those hours included some very large projects during the past year including three library remodelings, the annual summer reading programs, a few annual programs, and several Friends of the Library events.

Top volunteers were recognized in three categories. Annual over-all awards were given to volunteers who made an outstanding contribution in total hours and service to the library system.

JGRLS Teen Volunteer of the Year was Tina Tran of Ocean Springs for 137 hours of service.

The "Rita Krebs" Genealogy Volunteer of the Year was presented to the Carver High Alumni Association, the first organization to receive the award. The group was honored for over 582 hours of service, assembling local history collections for historically black high schools, and event sponsorship during the past year. All items are available for viewing at the Pascagoula Public Library Genealogy and Local History department.

Receiving the top "Flora S. Sholtes" Volunteer of the Year award went to Doris Spicer of the Pacagoula Public Library for her 440 hours of service.

Jackson-George Regional Library Board - Chairman Bruce Grimes, Joanne Anderson, Marjorie Albrycht, David Ogborn, Orell Hedgepeth, Harry McDonald, Nancy Jo Maples, and Board Attorney Stacie Zorn.

East Central Public Library - Adult: Ada Anderson, Tim Anderson, Ben Barlow, Dudley Barlow, Sheron Boswell, Julie Broom, Sandra Calvert, Corma Carter, Kenneth Cauley, Bertha Clary, Mike Coburn, Eloise Craven, Betty Danner, Robert Danner, Lavonia Duer, Lillian Dungan, Heaven Emerson, Jean Goff, Sylvia Goff, Camie Hall, Irene Hammock, Carolyn Hicks, Vencil Hubbard, Lucille Israel, Leslie Johnson, Alice Ann Jones, Carl King, Linda King, Omega Kitchens, Bobbie Lowe, Anita Matthews, Reba McMellon, Candie Mills, April Montgomery, Ashley Morgan, Steven Morgan, Jr., David Ogborn, Mae Pait, Stephanie Pierce, Zinia Poore, Patricia Ready, Theresa Reus, Miriam Robinson, Barbara Rossetto, Beth Skjoldager, Kim Sutherland, Lavon Sward, Carole Tannehill, Caryl Ulrich, Carolyn Vice, Dennis Vice, C.P. Winters, Bettina Yon, Brent Baria, Jerrod Bates, Sarah Bayles, Robbie Bosarge, Emily Byars, Rowan Cupit, Katie Freeman, Dakota Hammond, Sean Harrison, Jody Haynes, Katilyn Hicks, Mackenzie Johnson, Luke Kelly, Mick Kelly, Caleb Lassitter, Kerriel Lowery, Shayla McAdams, Terrell McAdams, Casey Patrick, Sarina Powers, Travis Rawls, Beth Reus, William Seals, Stephanie Tanner, Lashane Tribble, Aleke Vehos, Amaya Wollaston, Drew Young.

Kathleen McIlwain Public Library of Gautier - Adult: Shelia Coleman, Vivian Dailey, Zelma Lofton, Diana Myers, Lee Colledge, Anette Colledge, Mick Kilgore, Lori Kilgore, Judy Ladner, Bill Pearson, Deborah Pearson, Henry Williams, Sandy Skipper, Tyler Higgins, Ronald Adams, Rosa Adams, Evelyn Clark, Melissa Clark, Herb Edmonds, Camillia Edmonds, Wanda Green, Mary Huntwork, Billy Lofton, Lloyd Mayo, Sherri Michaels, Bob Myers, Kathy Perez, Kevin Rouse, Patrick Shannon, Darla Shannon, Al Stephens, Jeanita Stephens, James Stewart, Paula Therrien, Chris Sainwright, Joan Webb, Henry Williams. Youth: Nicole Allen, Andrea Barnett, Sarah Beardsly, Joanna Betts, Dwayion Chestnut, Patrick Emling, Alicia Hardy, Tyler Higgins, Percy Jackson, Cindy Johnson, Shelby Knighten, Kimuel McKines, Victoria McRae, Jacob Marler, Jamie Oatis, Dipal Patel, Phelecia Purnell, Brendan Reilly, Austin Rodgers, Samantha Schwartz, Alex Shannon, Shannon Unger, Callie Young.

Lucedale-George County Public Library - James Bolton, John Bolton, Joseph Bolton, Kathryn Bolton, Ashley Fiveash, Lane Henderson, Austin Lester, Ben Maples, Molly Maples, Carey McLain, Mason McLain, Donna McLain, Samantha Miniard, Veronica Miniard, Krysta Watson, Michael Watson, Doris Alexander, Robert Alexander, Rev. Dick Brown, James Corley, Mary Crenshaw, Sharon Elkins, Sonja Foshee, Mallory Horner, Jennifer Howell, Richmond McKay, Bettie Mosley, Dana Nelson, Kala Rester, Raleigh Sargent, Rudolph Sellers, Janet Smith, Coe Alice Stirgus, Larry Stubbs, Jean Waldrip, Lois Wallace, Lauren Wheeler, Tony Wheeler, Rev. Phillip Williams, James Trussell, Violet Henderson, Betty Tew.

Ina Thompson Moss Point Library - Adult: Norris Faggard, Jane Faggard, Dr. Karl Horn, Ruth Horn, Charles Roithmayr, Eva Roithmayr, Linda Bacon, Tony Hubbert, Connie Rabby, Roland Harper, Marietta Johnson. Youth: Barbara Fields, Takyah Millender, Abbie Yates, Jada Holmes, Leon McMillian, Christian Green, Kalyah Kennedy, Kuyonda Kennedy, Shelby Frederic.

Ocean Springs Municipal Library - Adult: Judy Allison, Ron Bailey, Jessica Barkskale, Andrew Blevens, Michael Brown, Marcie Brune, Louise Butler, Durand Campbell, Nici Campbell, Olivia Carter, Doris Clifton, Talia Colon, Maria Creel, Mike Cuevas, Ruby Cujore, Judy Dalgo, Susan Delgado, Glen Dowdle, Jeff Dubuisson, Carole Dunn, Judy Eaton, Phyllis Ferry, Ken Flottman, Terri Frederick, James Goldsmith, Megan Green, Vernice Holden, Miranda King, David Kulick, Ryan Lake, Austin Lavinghouse, Shannon Lavinghouse, Nicole Learson, Nancy Lemon, Chris Lewis, Elizabeth MacMahon, Kate Mendoza, Lianna Mika, Bill Myers, Allie Nicole Myrick, Cynthia Newman, Lana Pray, Margaret Reynolds, Joey Rice, Linda Robinson, Charles Sears, Casey Sheahan, Andrew Taylor, Kayla Teeter, Kerri Thompson, Martha Thompson, Kaitlyn Trahan, Charles Westbrook, Charles Yenewine. Youth: Naahin Babar, Dylan Baker, Taylor Blair, Ashton Bliss, Katherine Brune, Margaret Brune, Dylan Butler, Jessica Cannelora, Daphne Caplan, Ari Causey-Farmer, Shweta Chawla, Jena Checkley, Kimberly Choate, Alexis Chemney, Kyle Cooper, Emily Dalgo, Lina Dang, Melissa Edwards, Sesil Edwards, Tafari Frazier, Rebecca Jarvis, Brielle Jordan, Aleena Khan, Anna Khan, Isaac Khan, Casmine Kimble, Talynn Kimble, Emilia Kooienga, Chris Le, Lauren Marsh, Chris McCarney, Dajah Miller, Olivia Miller, Emma Morris, Ana O'Connor, Caroline O'Connor, Christina Ogletree, Bethany Quiros, Joey Quiros, Sunna Savani, River Sheffield, Dana Sullivan, Jessica Swanson, Tina Tran, Haley Zabawa.

Pascagoula Public Library - Adult: Kenneth Head III, Katie May, Doris Spicer. Youth: Holly Dunlap, Kathleen Coletta, Ashley Finklea, Emit Ashford, Elizabeth King, Frances Howkins, Meagan Koon, Kelsey Stone, Steven Romero, Zeda Butts, Griffin Butts, Shannon Unger, Devonne Stephenson, Milton Hickson, Zachary Hart, Priscella Jimenez. Genealogy: Joanne Anderson, Sandra Burton-Barnes, Ruth Christian, Joseph Creel, Nelson Hague, Stefan Howard, Robert Jennings, Georgia Jones, Mary Jon Lucas, Harry McDonald, Betty Mitchell, Betty Rodgers, Joyce Shannon, Margaret Wolfe, Susie Payton, Tommy Wixon. Law Library: Lee Hunter, Albert Petigrew, Haidee Oppie Sheffield.

St. Martin Public Library - Adult: Norm Fowler, Joan Mansfield, Bonnie Andrews, Bob Marousky, Cathy Marousky, Margaret Fore, Sue McCamroch, Jerry Rivera, Ed Beeson, Cheri Melchaiona, McKinly Warth, Janice Mabry. Youth: Angelica Medina, Dantel Richardson, Darel Richardson, Angel Vo, Faith Webster, Brian MIlton, Robin Payton, Brianna Allen, Chris March, Breanna Barhonvich, Breanne Dalton, Hannah Griffin, Ryan Griffin, Ashlei Beggs, Karen Schaffer, Brian Torries, Seth Beaugez, Sarah Brown.

Vancleave Public Library - Adult: Albert Landstreet, Bonnie Lingel, Breanna Little, Brian Parton, David Brainard, Deanna Cole, Deidre Simm, Delene Willcuts, Donna Burges, Ellen Havens, Erline Tait, Faye Jackson, Home of Grace , Jackie Davidson, Jacob Hilton, Jeanette Davenport, Jeff Ezell, Jerry Morgan, John Fleming, Leslie O’Brien, Linda Randolf, Lisa Marton, Lu Morgan, Pat Krebs, Pat Krewson, Pete Burges, Rick Graham, Sally Van Sittert, Scott Landstreet, Shane Childers, Teresa Busby. Youth: Amelia Little, Brad King, Brian Roberts, Briana Pierce, Carissa Gregory, Chaz Vickrey, Christian Davis, Christopher Ingram, Courtney O’Brien, Dajsha Sanders, Destany Farmer, Joseph Ross, Josh Farmer, Joshua Braun, Kyle Parton, Logan Landstreet, Melanie Fleming, Nicholas Fleming, Nolan Ingram, Sara Papa, Savannah Whitt, Seth Gregory, Spencer Parton, Anna Whitt.

The Friends of the Moss Point Library have completed a joint project with the Pascagoula River Audubon Center for a "Nature Cam" at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

The goal of the project is to provide children and adults the opportunity to see nature up close and personal by way of closed circuit television. They will soon be able to watch Chimney Swifts build their nests, lay eggs, see them hatch, see the adults feed, care for the hatchlings, and watch the young grow up and fly on their own.

The Friends of the Moss Point Library supplied the funding for the Nature Cam project that is estimated to cost about $500.

Visions Service Adventures volunteers Ella Cobleigh, Deanna Ross, and Welles Mathison, built the structure that will house the Nature Cam”and record the Chimney Swift family hour by hour for visitors at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

A group of volunteers working through Dantzler United Methodist Church and Visions Service Adventures provided workers to construct the tall tower. The Pascagoula River Audubon Center in Moss Point designed the tower and selected all materials as well as video cameras and cables for the project.

The Audubon Center's Mozart DeDeaux said, "Projects such as this gives us the opportunity to highlight even more environmental/conservation education for library patrons. It’s an excellent partnership between our organizations."

Library director Carol Hewlett said, "This is a unique project and the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library will be a leader among public libraries. No other library in the area that we are aware of is doing this."

For more information, call the library at 475-7462. The library is located at 4119 Bellview Street near downtown.

Recently local Girl Scout troop 6629, working toward their Bronze Award, organized a large book drive as their project and donated 2,300 items to the Gautier Public Library.

In order for the scouts to earn the Bronze, they must identify a problem in the community and form a solution as a project. The total number of hours a Girl Scout must put in to earn the Bronze is 20 hours.

The troop researched and discovered that according to MS Literacy Statistics, 22 percent of Jackson County residents can't read. After this discovery, it was time to connect with those affected by this problem and identify the local organizations that can help solve it. Teaming with the local schools and the public library, the scouts took action.

The Girl Scouts challenged Gautier elementary schools and students to have a book drive. Their purpose behind it was to increase literacy in Jackson County. The schools not only met the challenge set by the troop but also surpassed it by a huge amount. The troop was expecting around 500 books to be collected between all three schools. The winning class that brought in the most books, at Martin Bluff Elementary, received a pizza party for their efforts.

After the books were delivered to the library, some books were put in circulation while the rest were sold at the annual book sale. Monies earned from the book sales go toward the summer reading programs and library projects at the library.

...Branch manager Lori Smith said, "We realize that most everyone's invitations to the Royal Wedding will likely be 'lost in the mail,' We will have a television set-up on Friday, April 29, so that patrons can watch the festivities."

In honor of the wedding, the library will celebrate with a Hat Contest.Staff members will be donning their own hats beginning Wednesday, April 27 and continuing through Friday, April 29, so that patrons cant vote on a favorite.

Recently, the Jackson-George Regional Library System filled vacancies in the branch manager positions at two libraries.

Jamie Elston has taken over the managerial duties at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library. She previously worked as assistant director of public services at the Hancock County Library System. She received her MLIS from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1990.

Randy Smith was hired as new branch manager for the Kathleen McIlwain Public Library of Gautier. Randy Smith took over the lead position from the previous manager, Jo Anne West, who recently retired after 33 years with the system. Smith had previously been employed at the Robert Morris University Illinois in Waukegan, IL, as library coordinator. He is a graduate of Dominican University with an MLIS.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "These professionals come to us that includes a wide variety of experiences and talents. They both have a history of being active in community and professional organizations as well. We are thrilled to attract candidates of this caliber to our system."

JGRLS staff joined with the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) to embark on an innovative program to improve public library services and "grow their own" librarians. Read the article here...

The Friends of the East Central Public Library have once again published a new collection of "Annual Holiday Cooking Contest Recipes" and have them for sale just in time for gift giving.

"This new cookbook offers up ten years worth of winning recipes with entries from our past cooking contests. Our Friends group published a cookbook in 2000, but this is the newest and contains 370 recipes with more than 170 pages," said branch manager Helen Barlow.

Copies of the book are for sale at $15 each. Proceeds from sales will go toward library projects. Cookbooks are available at the East Central Public Library located at 21801 Slider Road, near the schools. (SEE COOKING CONTEST 2010)

The Friends of the East Central Public Library are selling their newest Holiday Cookbook at the library. Pictured are Friends members Alice Ann Jones, Jean Goff, and branch manager Helen Barlow.

By donating inspiring books to public libraries, the Ole Miss Women's Council for Philanthropy hopes to encourage the public to give back time and resources to their communities and other organizations. OMWC board member Susan McCormick recently presented copies of the books to the Jackson-George Regional Library System. Square Books of Oxford supported the council in this initiative by sponsoring some of the books.

The books - "In a Heartbeat: Sharing the Power of Cheerful Giving" by Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy and "Promises I Made My Mother" by Sam Haskell - both offer both heart-warming stories and practical advice about people helping others. The Tuohys' story of adopting a disadvantaged young man was also told in the movie "The Blind Side." Haskell, former executive vice president and worldwide head of television for the William Morris Agency, wrote the autobiographical memoir offering life lessons. All three authors graduated from the University of Mississippi.

For more information on the OMWC, visit www.umf.olemiss.edu or contact Sarah Hollis at 662-915-1584.

OMWC board member Susan McCormick (center) and member Jean Moore (right) recently presented copies of the books to Pascagoula Public Library manager Lori Smith.

Holiday Gift Wrapping classes held at Pascagoula Library with Amy Sherman-Oliver!

The Pascagoula Public Library held a free Holiday Gift Wrapping and Bow Making program in November with about 30 attending. Participants learned about gift wrapping and more with how-to's from Amy Sherman-Oliver at the free, instructional program.

The East Central Public Library held their annual "Be Thankful" Essay contest sponsored the Friends of the Library. The 5th and 6th grade students were asked to write about the many things in their lives for which they should give thanks.

"We had 180 participants this year," said library youth services assistant Micki Lofton. "We would like to extend many thanks to all students who participated. We also invite all students and their parents to visit and read the essay display in the library. They're all so inspiring and heartwarming," she said.

Pictured are the 6th grade winners of the Friends of the East Central Library’ s Be Thankful essay contest (l to r); Kristen Curry - 3rd , Hollie Dean - 1st, and Hannah Johnson - 2nd.

Pictured are the 5th grade winners (l to r); Makaylea Zettler - 2nd, Ava Dupree - 3rd, and Lilly Busby - 1st.

All entries will be on display in the library until the end of November. Afterwards, the students can get them to share their essays with their families over the holidays.

Friends of the East Central Public Library were able to hear the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbon winners share their essays during the November Thanksgiving luncheon and meeting.

The Jackson County Historic and Genealogical Society hosted this year's Krebs Cemetery Tour in Pascagoula in October. They are very devoted with providing historical representations of Jackson County’s ancestry and how they lived their lives with creative programs like this.

Williams receives Girl Scout Silver Award for Ocean Springs Library garden project

The Friends of the Ocean Springs Municipal Library wanted help with the reading garden in the courtyard behind the library. The garden was void of plants, mulch, and most everything else but dirt. To their rescue came Dana Williams, a dedicated Girl Scout with Troop 6217, with a real desire to help.

She started the project back in June of this year with the help of the Friends of the Library who purchased the plants, soil, and other materials.

For all her hard work, Dana received the Silver Award from the Girl Scouts of America in September. Silver Award projects require 30 hours of work for the actual project and is the highest award a Girl Scout Cadet can earn. It gives them the chance to show they are a leader who is organized, determined, and dedicated to improving communities to make a difference in the world.

For more information about the project or the library, call 875-1193 or visit 525 Dewey Avenue behind City Hall.

The Lucedale-George County Public Library recently hired Jacob Havard as the new youth services assistant at the library. His duties will be to help plan and schedule children and teen programs and lead the annual summer reading programs each year. Jacob will also host story-times for preschool each Tuesday, at 10 a.m.

Lucedale library manager Rebecca Wheeler said, "We are thrilled to have Jacob join our staff as the Youth Services Assistant. His training in the education field will definitely be an asset to the library in forming partnerships with teachers and the local school district."

Jacob is a George County native and has lived here all his life. He is a 2006 graduate from George County High School and has received BA degree from William Carey College in 2009 as well as a Master of Education degree from William Carey in 2010. While at William Carey College, he worked in the college library for two years. Jacob plays the piano, enjoys oil paints, is an avid reader (favorite author is Lois Duncan), and enjoys a good local football game.

Jacob says, "I'm really excited about revamping the children's and teen's library programs. It’s a real interest of mine as that's where enjoying the library began for me."

Author Kay Grafe signed books at the Lucedale-George County Public Library -- her new book, "Oh My Gosh, Virginia" is very popular.

Mrs. Grafe lives in Lucedale and is well-known to local residents through her columns in Today in Mississippi and The George County Times.

Books will be available for purchase and are perfect for gifts. Light refreshments were provided by the Friends of the Lucedale-George County Public Library.

For more information, call 601-947-2123 or visit the library at 507 Oak Street across from City Park.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System was awarded Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant scholarships for administrative staff members to pursue their Masters of Library Science degrees.

JGRLS staff trainer Yvonne Parton and assistant trainer Leanna Simpkins were chosen to receive the scholarships after applying and interviewing in Jackson at the Mississippi Library Commission. They were accepted in a Master's degree program at the University of Southern Mississippi for Library Science accredited by the American Library Association. They were two of three selected state-wide this year for the scholarships.

JGRLS staff trainer Yvonne Parton (center) and assistant trainer Leanna Simpkins.

Each year the Mississippi Library Commission disperses LSTA grants to libraries in Mississippi for different purposes including sub grants for training. The Institute of Museum & Library Services (IMLS) provides funding for LSTA grants. They provide funding opportunities to aid in developing skills and knowledge of library staff in order to improve library resources, services, systems and tools which enables residents to have access to quality library service.

JGRLS director Carol Hewlett said, "Getting admitted into graduate school is becoming very competitive. Then there are the growing costs of higher education to deal with. Typically every once in a while one of our 80 plus staff members might be in graduate school pursuing a masters in library science. Recently, we have had more staff interested in becoming professional, degreed librarians than I've seen in the system in many years. I credit this to the Librarianship 101 and 102 Institutes offered by the Mississippi Library Commission and the mentoring that our librarians on staff at JGRLS do when someone on staff shows an interest in public librarianship as a career. We are thrilled that Leanna and Yvonne were both rewarded for their efforts."

While Yvonne and Leanna are in graduate school, the library system also has other staff working on undergraduate degrees with plans to go on to graduate school in library science. Many work full-time and have small children at home, so being able to get their library degrees online is a tremendous help as well.

Recently, the Jackson-George Regional Library System hired a new branch manager. Lori Ward Smith will take the helm of the Pascagoula Public Library - the largest branch in the system.

"I am incredibly happy to be selected as Pascagoula’s Library Manager," said Lori. "I feel fortunate to be able to work with such a capable group of people who are totally committed to public service. Pascagoula is such a beautiful place, and I look forward to getting to know more about the city and its people."

While living in Pascagoula as a child, Lori received her first library card at the Pascagoula Public Library. She was previously serving as director of the Pickens County Cooperative Library System in Carrollton, Alabama. Lori is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Interior Design and was awarded her Master of Library Service degree at the University of Alabama.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "Lori comes to us with library experience that is varied and covers a span of more than 20 years. She has been a county-wide system director, a youth services coordinator, and a school librarian. She has a history of being active in both community and professional organizations. We are thrilled to attract a candidate of her caliber to our system and feel the Pascagoula community will benefit greatly from her tenure as manager of the Pascagoula Public Library."

For more information about the Pascagoula Public Library, visit the library at 3214 Pascagoula Street downtown.

Friends of the Moss Point Library celebrate Flag Day with dedication of new flag pole

The Friends of the Moss Point Library celebrated Flag Day with a flag raising and flag pole dedication ceremony at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library. Boy Scout Troop #476 and Scout Master Larry Watts raised the new flag and recited the Pledge of Allegiance.

The new flag pole was installed by Tompkins Construction of Moss Point and dedicated to Library Friends president Eva Roithmayr and her husband Charles for their continuous hard work.

Dana Woods, branch manager of the Vancleave Public Library, recently received her Master of Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Woods has been employed with the Jackson-George Regional Library System for seven years and started at the Gautier Public Library as a library clerk before joining the administrative staff in July, 2006.

After learning a great deal about libraries and gaining interest in the career of librarianship, Woods began her graduate studies in August of 2007. She was promoted to branch manager in May, 2009.

"A library would be only a building without the people that walk through its doors," said Dana. "With a career in librarianship, I have the ability to share my knowledge with others and help them understand that a library has more to offer than just books."

Dana Woods, manager of the Vancleave Public Library, receives a certificate of achievement from Bruce Grimes, regional library board chairman, commemorating her USM Master’s degree.

Gautier Public Library hosts first LOL Poetry Reading for National Poetry Month

Local students participated in creative poetry at the Gautier Public Library recently. Participants read their own poetry along with the local MS Poetry Society, South Branch, that also attended. They celebrated with light refreshments served by library staff youth services.

Art lovers will be very happy to see paintings by local artist Melinda Gandy at the St. Martin Public Library. Recently Melinda donated seven of her works to the library to help beautify the public facility.

Ms. Gandy is an independent professional artist working in oils. Her work has been shown in galleries and exhibits from Washington to Chicago and from Philadelphia to New Orleans. She is a graduate of LSU and is also a professional interior designer certified with the National Council of Interior Design.

For many years Melinda taught oil painting at the Ohr-O'Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi. Earlier this year, she was featured at the Walter Anderson Museum of Art with her "Light on Water" exhibit and currently shows at Theresa"s Gallery in Ocean Springs. Other works consist of portraits and commissioned work which can be seen at www.gandystudio.com.

The St. Martin Public Library is located at 15004 LeMoyne Blvd., next to the St. Martin Community Center.

St. Martin Library manager Janis Zuleeg, left, is presented one of the seven paintings donated by local artist Melinda Gandy. The paintings will be part of a new collection of art to beautify the library.

INA THOMPSON MOSS POINT LIBRARY
Library Friends host Art Unveiling and Reception - See event photos here.

The Friends of the Moss Point Library hosted a reception and public unveiling of nationally recognized artist Cecile Higdon Stephen at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

The Friends unveiled a large multi-panel mural that depicts the city and history of Moss Point in panoramic fashion. The work is mounted in the small meeting room in the center of the library. A week-long art show featuring Cecile's other works will also be held in the meeting room. It features works by Cecile that have not been seen in public for years - many have been borrowed from private collections.

VANCLEAVE PUBLIC LIBRARY
CHOCOLATE TASTING EVENT & MEMBERSHIP DRIVE - See event photos here.

OCEAN SPRINGS MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
Birthday Cake Contest with Professional Bakers - See event photos here.

Audubon presents Library Lecture Series for National Library Week

The Pascagoula Audubon Nature Center is partnering with the Jackson-George Regional Library System with a library lecture series in recognition of this year's National Library Week theme "Communities thrive @ your library." The center has enlisted the help of volunteers to present the free public programs at branch libraries.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System has hit several milestones this year which also includes the 40th anniversary of the library system. But, one of the biggest successes has finally arrived for those staff members behind the scenes - the very people responsible for getting new books and other library materials out to the library shelves. A long-standing back log of materials has been processed and have been released to the branch libraries.

It all began back in 2005 when Katrina hit the Gulf Coast. The library system had to close the Pascagoula branch for many months. All administrative offices had to be moved to other locations including the technical services department which was temporarily set up in the Gautier library meeting room. They quickly got to work processing materials for all of the seven other branches. But Pascagoula Public Library's materials languished in boxes for quite a long time. When Pascagoula reopened in 2007, the technical services staff set out to finally process all of the boxed up materials for that branch. Along with that strategy, they had to set aside many of the materials coming in for seven other branches.

Since that time, the department has seen the loss of the of a manager, hiring a new manager, and several other staff changes which all contributed to the growing back log of materials to be processed. Finally during March of this year, every item in back log has been processed. The department can now focus solely on processing new items to move them quickly to the branch libraries.

Library director Carol Hewlett commented, "These folks aren't on the front lines and are never in the spotlight, but no library system could exist without them. I consider their department the heart of the library. The team we have in this department now is professional and hard working and I am grateful to work with such great folks every day."

Assistant library director Alisa St. Amant said, "I am extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to supervise and work with individuals who maintain an outstanding level of performance daily. The department's recovery after Hurricane Katrina and eventual success in clearing a huge backlog of materials is the result of a team effort."

Area Libraries Add Video Games to Circulating Materials and Game Programming

The Jackson-George Regional Library System recently received grant funds to purchase the latest in video game equipment in response to a national trend in public libraries to include video games to help draw in teens and young adults. The Library Services and Technology Act grants provided over $13,000 to be used for the needed gaming equipment at all eight branch libraries.

Gaming programs will be offered to teens and others that will accommodate multi-player activities. Wii Sports, Play Station 3 games and others were purchased. Game Days are on the current schedule of December events at libraries.

The national movement in offering more electronic media has benefited local communities in creating a new meeting place for teens and young adults. By providing these services, libraries have exposed this patron group to literature and other library services that are currently available.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "To enhance the new teen gaming programs, the library system will soon have more than 50 different video game titles available for circulation at all eight branch libraries. Games can provide learning and enrichment in the medium most attractive to today’s children and teens. It’s a natural step forward for public libraries."

Lucedale branch manager Becky Wheeler, Vancleave library youth services assistant Bethany Carlisle and tech services clerk Donna Hinkel look over the newest selection of games to go to the branch libraries.

The American Library Association noted that over 404 libraries responded to a national library gaming census, reporting on 218 programs. In the survey 597 libraries reported a total attendance of 14,184 gamers on National Gaming Day last November. Gaming services epitomize library as third place, creating a community gathering spot between home and work or school. That third place encourages play, socialization, and cultural enrichment. Libraries looking for ways to reach beyond their traditional patron base are turning to gaming.

Jim Rettig, ALA president said recently, "Games of every type play an important role in developing fundamental competencies for life. They require players to learn and follow complex sets of rules, make strategic and tactical decisions, and, increasingly, collaborate with teammates and others: all things they will have to do in college and in the workforce."

Board games, card games, and video games help fulfill a library's mission to provide cultural, recreational, and entertaining materials; to provide academic curriculum support; or to provide resources and support their industry or profession.

Patrons of area libraries in the Jackson-George Regional Library System checked out more than 100,000 items in five branches for the fiscal year 2009 for the first time. The circulated items totaled 858,072.

East Central Public Library reached this plateau for the first time ever. East Central hit a new annual mark of 100,641 total items circulated for the year. St. Martin, Lucedale, Pascagoula, and Ocean Springs libraries have hit the high number in the past.

September was a unique month that showed all eight branches up over a year ago. Gautier had over a 14% increase and Moss Point was up more than 11%. Vancleave was up 7 of the 12 months compared to the same months last year and had a net increase over last year of more than 3%. Pascagoula and St. Martin had annual increases of over 10% and 16% respectively. The increases other branches showed gave the system a slight overall annual increase.

Library director Carol Hewlett said, "Any way you slice it, this was a good year for us and September was an especially good month for us. Statistics don't ever give the whole picture and you can’t easily measure the lives changed and enhanced by library service. But it is a way to get one view of where we are and where we're going. Overall I am pleased and proud of what all of the JGRLS staff system-wide accomplished over the last year."

For branch locations, contact information, program schedules, and other services, visit the library website at www.jgrls.org.

Library staff celebrate in front of the East Central Public Library. Left to right are; library manager Helen Barlow and staff members Pat Howard, Micki Lofton, Cindy Morgan, Jean Howard, Marie Bounds, and Ann Neal.