JGRLS NEWS AND EVENTS

AARP Tax Preparation at OS Library - Feb 2 through Apr 4

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library will be one of the many sites on the coast where individuals can receive help from AARP volunteers with 2011 Income Tax preparation and filing.

The library is located at 525 Dewey Avenue, behind City Hall.

AARP Tax-Aide is available free to taxpayers with low and moderate income, with special attention to those 60 and older. Through a team of trained volunteers. Days and times are: Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 9 – 1 beginning February 2 and ending April 4.

Individuals are to bring the following information for the tax preparers: social security card and picture IDs for self and all dependents; a copy of last year’s tax return; W-2 forms from each employer; unemployment compensation statements; SSA-1099 forms, any 1099 forms received including INT, DIV, B, MISC, R; and all forms indicating federal income taxes paid; and dependent care provider information (name, employer ID, SSN).

Libraries celebrate Black History Month with author Book Talk - Feb 11

The public is invited to help celebrate Black History Month with Douglas Walter Bristol, Jr., author of "Knights of the Razor: Black Barbers in Slavery and Freedom" at two local libraries.

On Saturday, February 11, book talks with author Douglas Walter Bristol, Jr., are scheduled for Vancleave Public Library at 11 a.m. and at Ina Thompson Moss Point Library at 1:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Library at both locations.

Visitors will be led in a fascinating discussion with the author who is also Associate Professor at The University of Southern Mississippi. He will read selections from his book "Knights of the Razor" and offer insights of his research.

Mr. Bristol has written a stylish volume on a subject too long denied a chair at the panel for black history month: the important role of the black barber in American history, especially in the antebellum period of St. Louis.

During this period, black barbers may have been the only men in their community who enjoyed the privilege of free speech. The reason, of course, lay in their temporary—but absolute—power over a client. In Knights of the Razor he explores this extraordinary relationship of African American barbers, North and South, from the American Revolution to the First World War.

The Vancleave Public Library is located at 12604 Hwy. 57. Call 826-5857. The Ina Thompson Moss Point Library is located at 4119 Bellview Street near downtown. Call 475-7462.

Ocean Springs Library to host Memory workshop - Feb 17

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library will host a free "Improve your Memory" workshop on Friday, February 17, from 10 to 12 noon in the meeting room.

This 2 hour workshop will be led by Skip Jones offering usable information on how to have fun learning tips, tricks, and to use other tools to improve memory and recall. Also, learn skills to maintain your short and long term memory. This is a great program for people of all ages.

Teens may want to attend to help with SATs or schoolwork. Adults wanting to learn some new work skills or seniors wanting to strengthen their mental acuity would benefit from this free workshop.

Registration is suggested by calling 228-875-1193. The library is located at 525 Dewey Avenue behind City Hall.

Library System hosts Black History Month programs for families in February

Branches of the Jackson-George Regional Library System will host several programs celebrating Black History Month in February.

The Ina Thompson Moss Point Library will offer a special storytime with Crafts & Stories on Wednesday, February 15, at 10 a.m. Preschool age children and parents are invited. Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the library. For more information call 475-7462.

On Thursday, February 16, the Pascagoula Public Library will host Multicultural Celebrations with Musaic Performing Arts and Leah Rollins at 6 p.m. Families, children and teens are invited for an interactive experience with music and movement. Leah Rollins leads students from Musaic to join with the audience in musical expression. The Pascagoula library is located at 3214 Pascagoula St. For more information, call 769-3060.

A second Multi-Cultural Celebrations program will be held at the Ocean Springs Municipal Library on Thursday, February 23, at 6 p.m. Ms. Rollins will lead families, children and teens in artistic expression with music and movement with her students from Musaic. The Ocean Springs library is located at 525 Dewey Avenue behind City Hall. For more information, call 875-1193.

On Monday, February 20, the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library will host On the Hunt for Black History scavenger hunt for teens at 4 p.m. Teens may work in groups or individually to find clues, books, and more to earn prizes. Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library. The library is located at 4119 Bellview Street. Call 475-7462 for more information.

Students age 5 to 17 are invited to celebrate Black History Month with their voices at Lift Every Voice: Expression Session at the Pascagoula Public Library on Tuesday, February 29, at 6 p.m. Kids can give creative expressions of their interpretation of Martin Luther King Jr.’s 'I Have a Dream' Speech done so in the following art forms: Vocal Performances; Poetry (spoken word); Speeches; Instrumental performance; Dance; or Monologue (theatrical/skits). Students must register for auditions on February 23, from 4 to 6:30 pm and on February 24, from 2:30 to 4 pm. Call 769-3060, ext. 234, for more information.

On Tuesday, February 28, the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library will host the Moss Point High School Jazz Band with a free concert at 6 p.m. The band, directed by Anton Rayburn, will play old favorites that all will enjoy. The Friends group will provide refreshments.

Moss Point Library hosts nationally known author - Feb 23

Friends of the Moss Point Library will host an Autograph Party with nationally known, local author Carolyn Haines. The event will take place on Thursday, February 23, at 6 p.m. in the library. The Friends group will also serve refreshments.

The Friends have invited series novelist and romance author Carolyn Haines to discuss and sign autographs of her book "Bones of a Feather" which is her newest in a continuation of the great "Bones" series. There will also be copies of some of Carolyn’s previous publications for sale including "Delta Blues."

The award winning mystery and romance novelist was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. She has published a large number of romance novels for Harlequin. Using her own name, she has published several novels set in Mississippi in different historical periods as well as the "Bones" series. For more information about Carolyn, visit her website at www.carolynhaines.com.

The Ina Thompson Moss Point Library is located at 4119 Bellview Street near downtown.

Vancleave Library Friends offer Toner Recycling

Anyone with unwanted printer toner cartridges now have a place to recyle used toner packs thanks to the Friends of the Vancleave Public Library.

Starting this month, anyone may drop off empty inkjet cartridges at the Vancleave Public Library located at 12604 Highway 57 near the schools.

Branch manager Yvonne Parton said, "The Friends group will even make a little money as a fundraising project. They will receive up to $4 for each cartridge recycled. It’s a great way to save our environment and help our library."

Patrons with questions may visit the library or call 826-5857.

Adults interested in joining a new "Love My Library" Book Club is invited to attend the next meeting each first Thursday at 12:30 p.m., at the East Central Public Library.

Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the East Central Public Library in the meeting room.

The new club is being started in part due to the huge response from the Adult Summer Reading programs in June and July of this year. The EC Club offers an opportunity for anyone interested in books and book reviews to discuss what they have been reading and enjoy good fellowship with fellow enthusiasts. General topics are also welcomed such as authors they like and dislike or authors they've met or wish to meet.

The East Central Public Library is located at 21801 Slider Road, next to the schools.

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library will host a free "Green Smoothie resolution solution" on Monday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m. in the library meeting room led by Betty Sue O'Brian.

By implementing the use of Green Smoothies in a diet, individuals can decrease cravings for junk food, increase desire to exercise, achieve emotional stability, improve skin and hair, and so much more. They can assist in boosting energy, building your immune system, detoxing impurities, and loosing weight. Greens are rich in magnesium and alkaline minerals like calcium and are superb in their Omega-3 unsaturated fat content. And greens are one of the richest sources of protein.

Smoothie samples and information will be given on how to make your own each day. Registration is required prior to January 21, as seating is limited.

Betty Sue has lived and worked on the Mississippi Gulf Coast all of her life. She is a herbalist and a naturopath that is dedicated to teaching better ways to eat, drink and 'live it' through dietary, lifestyle adjustments and proper exercise for the body, mind and spirit. Betty Sue is also the author of a series of CDs and the author of three books.

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

Are you age fifty-five or older? You may be interested in the Vancleave Public Library's AARP Driver's Workshop. The 1-day workshop will be held Tuesday, January 31, from 12:30 to 5:00 p.m., in the library meeting room.

To register or to receive more information, call the library at 826-5857 or Mr. Oncale at 228-447-3906. There is a $12 registration fee for AARP members that cover materials. Non-AARP members fee is $14. Pre-registration is available at 12:30 p.m. that day.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is a classroom refresher that can help older adults learn the effects of aging on driving and how to adjust driving techniques and qualify for an insurance discount. Auto insurance companies in most states provide a multiyear discount to AARP graduates. AARP members receive discounts on the AARP Motoring Plan from GE Motor Club.

The AARP Driver Safety Program is the nation’s first and largest refresher course for drivers age 55 and older that has helped millions of drivers remain safe on today’s roads. AARP has offered the course in the classroom for 25 years.

Participants will learn how to: tune up driving skills and update knowledge of the rules of the road; learn about normal age-related physical changes, and how to adjust driving habits to allow for these changes; reduce traffic violations, crashes, and chances for injuries and; drive more safely. Participants may reduce their auto insurance rate by attending this AARP certified program.

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library will host a free "Healthy Lifestyles" weight Loss program beginning Thursday, January 19, at 5:30 p.m. in the meeting room. A first session is needed to attend the program: a consultation, a weigh-In and other screenings will be held on Thursday, January 12, from 10 am to 1 p.m. and again from 3 to 6 p.m. The program is facilitated by Gulf Coast Health Educators.

Registration is suggested by calling 228-860-7530. Classes will be held each Thursday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. (beginning January 19) at the library located at 525 Dewey Avenue behind City Hall.

The 12-week program is supported by a grant from Connections for Cardiovascular Health, a program of the AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation.

Gulf Coast Health Educators is available to provide health programs to educate the public. One out of three people in Mississippi with diabetes have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is called the “silent killer.” Many have it but yet ignore the symptoms. GCHE can provide health information, glucose, blood pressure, and height, weight, and body mass index screenings.

GCHE specializes in diabetes, heart disease, and adult/child weight management. Registered Dietitians and Nurses are available to speak at organizational meetings on any of these topics.

All branches of the Jackson-George Regional Library System will be a great place to go to learn a foreign language. The library system has purchased a subscription to Mango Languages for on-line users. Anyone with a library card may access the new, web based service free of charge.

Mango Languages is now available and includes a variety of resources to help patrons learn practical conversation skills for languages spoken all around the world. Mango Complete Courses is a 100-lesson course that is designed to provide a deep understanding of a language and its culture. It is available in 31 foreign language and 14 ESL courses.

The courses utilize an engaging interface and easy, intuitive interactive tools to deliver practical conversational skills and valuable cultural insight for a foreign language. Lessons include strategically placed memory-building exercises to help users remember what they are learning in addition to critical thinking exercises, which help them to intuitively understand the language and adapt it to similar conversations. Mango Languages is completely self-paced and the time it takes to build fluency is different from person to person.

To learn more about Mango and get a preview of what the program has to offer, stop by the library a quick introduction. For more of how Mango works, visit the company's website at www.mangolanguages.com. Even better, library card holders with access to the Internet or iPhone can use the actual courses remotely from anywhere!.

The Vancleave Public Library will host a free "Healthy Lifestyles" weight Loss program beginning in August and continues for 12 weeks. This first session is a consultation that will include a weigh-In and other screenings. The program is facilitated by Gulf Coast Health Educators.

Registration is suggested by calling 228-860-7530. Classes will be held each Wednesday from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the library located at 12604 Hwy 57.

The 12-week program is supported by a grant from Connections for Cardiovascular Health, a program of the AstraZeneca Healthcare Foundation.

Gulf Coast Health Educators is available to provide health programs to educate the public. One out of three people in Mississippi with diabetes have high blood pressure. High blood pressure is called the "silent killer." Many have it but yet ignore the symptoms. GCHE can provide health information, glucose, blood pressure, and height, weight, and body mass index screenings.

GCHE specializes in diabetes, heart disease, and adult/child weight management. Registered Dietitians and Nurses are available to speak at organizational meetings on any of these topics.

Adults interested in joining a new "Love My Library" Book Club is invited to attend the first meeting on Thursday, September 1, at 1 p.m., at the East Central Public Library.

Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the East Central Public Library in the meeting room.

The East Central Public Library is located at 21801 Slider Road, next to the schools.

"Saving Cents" coupon workshop at Vancleave Library - continues through November

The Vancleave Public Library is hosting "Coupons: Saving Cents in South Mississippi" workshop in the library meeting room. The classes will be available each month through November.

Classes may be full on those dates. However, anyone interested in coupons and saving money shopping should call about the free workshops led by Reagan Collum. Seating is limited to fifteen and registration is required to attend by calling the library at 826-5857.

Each attendee is given a booklet as a reference guide on store policies, the process of how to find and use coupons to your advantage, covers grocery and drug stores. Booklet also includes coupon lingo, common myths, types of coupons.

You also get Reagan Collum's "best buy" price list and advice on how to trim your budget plus Reagan's contact info and her blog address for further help or one-on-one assistance.

The library is located at 12604 Highway 57 in Vancleave. For more information call the library at 826-5857.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System said a tearful goodbye to long-time librarian Jo Anne West as she retires March 1, 2011.

Mrs. West retires as JGRLS Central Area Library Manager after serving 33 years as a branch manager and librarian with a total of 39 years in the profession.

The library system staff and Friends of the Gautier and Vancleave libraries will host a retirement reception in her honor with a short program in the Pascagoula Public Library meeting room.

"My retirement will be effective beginning March 1, 2011. March 1, 1978 was my first day of work in the library system with Kathleen McIlwain as the director and Lou Hewlett was assistant director," said Jo Anne. "Before moving to Gautier from Kathleen, Florida, I was the school Library Media Specialist at Kathleen Elementary School for six years."

Through her 33 years of service with the library system, Mrs. West has seen many changes in system-wide library service.

Jo Anne said, "The Gautier Public Library opened in 1978 with just two full time people, two teen age part timers and a very part time custodian. We now have six full time staff and a thirty hour a week custodian. This library was only open 40 hours a week and is now open 60 hours a week. The only piece of equipment we had when we opened in 1978, was one telephone with one line, a copy machine, vacuum cleaner and a typewriter. Now we have two lines with seven phones, 20 computers with five printers and a variety of other equipment. We had no card catalog between 1978 and 1988….it was all in my head what we owned and where it was. In 1988 we went on-line with our first automated circulation system and catalog. The evolution of machinery, computers, staff training and staff knowledge is amazing."

Jo Anne, her husband Lewis, and their dog Star plan on traveling the United States in a 5th wheel camper upon her retirement.

Mrs. West said, "As the Central Jackson County Area Manager, I have stretched myself beyond anything learned or even discussed in library school several decades ago. I shall fondly remember my JGRLS years. I greatly appreciate all the help over the years and that of the administrative staff, my co-managers and co-workers."

Families looking for something to do with their kids or grand kids on Saturdays can now visit the library for Saturday Family Storytime at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library this Saturday at 2 p.m.

The library will offer families a great time with stories for kids and video gaming for those a little bit older. Families can come and have a fun time together.

During some of the programs, children will be able to create special art projects, play games, see finger puppet plays, and hear stories. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

The Ina Thompson Moss Point Library is located at 4119 Bellview Street. For more information, call 475-7462.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System was recently awarded a "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" community grant from Singing River Electric.

The grant funds were used to purchase Kill-a-watt meters. This devise enables anyone to easily make the decisions that can save money and reduce electrical consumption and reduce electric bills in a single month. Anyone can easily measure any electrical appliance use by connecting the device between outlet and an appliance and reading the electrical consumption by the Kilowatt-hour on the large LCD display. Then, figure out the electrical expense by the day, month or year simply by multiplying consumption with the local utility’s usage rate.

Assistant Library Director Alisa St. Amant, said, "It is hoped that by educating the public with using this meter they will discover new ways to save energy and on their electric bill each month. This will also add to the many services offered by our public libraries and will offer the opportunity to improve lives of those who use it."

The meters are available for checkout for a period of one week at all eight branch libraries in the system in Jackson and George counties.

The libraries have also created reading lists and book displays with books and other library materials to help save money and save energy. The displays will be up all month. Those items on display are but a few of the many in the library collection. More can be found in the electronic catalog available at each branch or also on-line at www.jgrls.org as well as other library services.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System will continue to offer a special program for children and teens who may owe library fines for overdue library materials. Children may read-down their fines by reading to themselves or to another child in leu of paying an over-due fine.

Children will get $1 taken off of their fines for every 10 minutes that they read. Any print media will be accepted, including children’s books, magazines, or even newspapers.

Regardless of how over-due fines were accrued, the parent might choose to require their child to read down their fines to teach them accountability.

Details for the program are: patrons must be under 18 years old; there is no sign up sheet or registration; and is based on the honor system. Reading down fines must take place at the library and is available up until thirty minutes prior to closing time.

If a child needs to purchase a replacement card but has no money, they can read for 10 minutes to cover that fee. Fines for lost or damaged books are not included in this extended program.

Starting this month, the Lucedale-George County Public Library will have extended hours on week-days and on Saturdays. New hours are now Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At a recent Jackson-George Regional Library board meeting held in Lucedale, the library board voted unanimously to increase service hours to the community of George County. The extended hours on weekdays and Saturdays fill a need for increased access to library materials, free Internet access and a host of other library services for patrons in the library service area.

The Friends of the Moss Point Library held a contest for residents of the Moss Point area. Any resident of the Moss Point community could become the new face of the Friends of the Moss Point Library.

Categories are youth (K-12), adult (18+), and family. The Friends will award over a hundred dollars in prizes to winners. Those selected in each category will have their photo used in promotional material such as the Friends brochures, posters, or flyers at the library.

If you’re a member of a Moss Point service organization, community volunteer or are interested in becoming active in the community then you are invited to a "Meeting of the Minds" at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

Meeting of the Minds is a community organizations meeting for members of any Moss Point club or group and for those active in working to make long-lasting improvements in the area. This meeting is also an opportunity for Moss Point service organizations to send a representative to network with other community minded citizens and groups.

Moss Point Library manager Gabriel Giovannitti said, "Organizations in our community need to let the the public know what their organization does, who they are and what they want to do in Moss Point. It’s an opportunity to make contacts and see who does what out there in the community. Our library would also like to show local groups what we have to offer as well."

For more information, call the library at 475-7462 or visit the library at 4119 Bellview Street.

Mary Ann Louviere began her career with the Jackson-George Regional Library System in 1981 as a library clerk at the St. Martin Public Library. Since then, she has done everything that involves library youth services for nearly 30 years. She will retire on the 26th of March.

She served as youth services coordinator for the past twenty-four years along with being Pascagoula branch manager since April of 2007. Mary Ann was promoted to youth services coordinator for the library system back when the current Pascagoula library building was built in 1986. Her many duties included planning programs, events, assisting in community outreach, and coordinating library story-times. She has coordinated countless Summer Reading programs and seasonal puppet shows along with special holiday events throughout the library system. Mary Ann also trained youth services assistants at each branch and provided assistance with library material selections in the collection for children and teens.

Through these efforts, local libraries have been able to conduct extremely effective programs aimed at children of all ages. For most of her career, Mary Ann led these efforts system-wide while serving daily as the primary provider of youth services for the Pascagoula community.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "Mary Ann has the amazing ability to keep the child in herself alive and well and still manage people and programs like the professional that she is. Not every creative person also has the management and organization skills that Mary Ann has. And not all administrators have that much creativity in them. Mary Ann has it all and put it all to good use throughout her career at JGRLS. The children of Jackson and George counties are the major beneficiaries of her years of service, but truth is everyone who worked with her was a beneficiary as well. I know that I learned a great deal by listening to and watching Mary Ann and I will miss her greatly."

Genealogy Department displays collected items from old Carver High School at the Library

Old classmates and families of anyone who attended the old Carver High School will be fascinated at the new display located in the Pascagoula Public Library Genealogy and Local History department that will run through the month of March.

Mr. Robert Jennings would like help with obtaining other artifacts from anyone connected with the old high school. Jennings donated many items that were almost lost due to Katrina but saved most all items he had. Donated items include annuals, photos, letters, banners, and much more - including an old hand-made scrapbook which is on display.

The display and the Genealogy department is located on the second floor of the library. The building is at the intersection of Pascagoula Street and Delmas Avenue.

For more information on donating items to the collection, call 769-3078. Information about Genealogy is available on the library web site at genealogy.html.

Robert Jennings stands next to many items he collected and donated to the Genealogy Department at the Pascagoula Public Library. Items will be on display through March.

Friends of the Library are celebrating the 100th Birthday of George County with the opportunity to purchase a commemorative Centennial coverlet or throw which is on display at the Lucedale-George County Public Library.

The centennial throw represents each decade of George County History with a photo woven into the coverlet fabric. The decade of 1910 is represented by the Courthouse which opened to the public in November 1911. The second decade is represented by the Merrill Bridge that opened in 1928 and is still being used over 80 years later. Professional baseball pitcher, Claude Passeau, represents the 1930's and 1940's. Jake Lindsey, Congressional Medal of Honor winner, represents the 1940's. Jake was awarded the medal for bravery during WWII and the county celebrated Jake Lindsey Day. The George County Hospital represents the 1950's. The Coffee Pot restaurant represents the 1960's along with the famous Scratching post. The Coffee Pot was the center of town from the rebuilding of it in 1957 until it closed in the 1980's. In the 1990's George County became the plant nursery capitol of the state and the historical marker is on the coverlet.

The Lucedale-George County Public Library Expansion represents the first decade of the 21st century since it provides many up-to-date technological advances for all ages. In 1910 the county newspaper, the Plain Dealer, changed its name to George County Times to match the new county. Since then, George County Times has served George County as the county newspaper for over 100 years.

Orders are being taken at the Lucedale-George County Library for a delivery in March. Each throw is $50. If you purchase three or more coverlets, the price will be $45 each. The Friends cannot guarantee delivery of a coverlet without a pre-order. Coverlets can be mailed at an extra cost of $8 for shipping. Orders maybe mailed to the Lucedale-George County Public Library at 507 Oak Street, Lucedale, MS 39452. For more information, call 601-947-2123.

Friends of the Library are shown left to right; Doris Alexander, Robert Alexander, Linda Lester, Janet Smith, Crystal Jones, and Larry Stubbs.

Recently, the Jackson-George Regional Library System promoted staff to new positions within the administrative services to fill vacancies for Assistant Director, Youth Services Coordinator, and the position of assistant computer trainer.

Library director Carol Hewlett said, "Since public library use goes up during difficult financial times we were feeling the stress on our human resources and definitely needed to fill these long-vacant positions. By doing this, we will once again offer more public computer training; establish a finer mandate to focus on library services to preschoolers, school-age children, and teens; and continue to enhance facilities throughout our system. We filled all of these positions from within by promoting three current employees. The fact that we found the talent, skills and experience we needed right here among our own speaks well for our staff because we use the same criteria in-house as we do when we advertise outside our system."

Bethany Carlisle was selected to the Youth Services Coordinator position to coordinate, plan and implement all youth services activities and programming in the eight-branch system. The previous youth services coordinator Mary Ann Louviere is retiring in March. Bethany was promoted from the Vancleave Public Library where she worked as the youth services assistant for the branch.

Leanna Simpkins will fill a position in the library system that will enhance public computer training. She will work as the assistant trainer to provide the popular, free computer classes within the branch libraries. Leanna was also promoted from the Ocean Springs Municipal Library where she worked as a library clerk.

The Friends of the Gautier Library will be selling the 5th edition of "Gautier, Mississippi: A Short History" edited by Jack Womack. The the book chronicles the history of Gautier along with businesses, library, and many churches from 1886 to the present.

The new edition is available by the Friends for $20 each at the Kathleen McIlwain Public Library of Gautier which is located at 2100 Library Lane near the college.

The paperback is the first to be indexed and also contains a short history of New Era Missionary Baptist Church. New Era is the oldest congregation in Gautier, first erected in the 1880s.

Jackson-George Regional Library staff Cindi Burgin, Cindy Morgan, Ann Neal, and Johnell "Jay" Fowler returned to their respective libraries, loaded with information and ideas gained from attending Librarianship 101 Institute, hosted recently by the Mississippi Library Commission at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps in Jackson.

Participation in the 6th annual Institute was based on a statewide competitive selection process, with public library directors being asked to nominate staff members. Participants attended the intensive, week-long training designed to introduce library paraprofessionals to all aspects of professional librarianship. Training ran the gamut from the history and governance of public libraries to practical skills designed to help participants provide better service to library patrons.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "We were very surprised that so many of our staff were chosen. Libraries from all over Mississippi submitted applications for a limited number of spots. The main response I get is that participants come back with a renewed enthusiasm for their jobs and a greater understanding of what public libraries offer a community. We plan to gather all the participants that have gone each year to share experiences and to help them figure out how to put into practice all they've learned."

During the training classes, a contest was held to "stump the reference librarian." Jay Fowler, from the St. Martin Public Library, won the contest by asking, "What is the cause of Weggners disease?" Prize for the winning question was a set of reference books valued at $500 that is now in the collection of the St. Martin Public Library.

As a requirement of Librarianship 101, each participant signed a contract with the Library Commission outlining a project they wanted to undertake in their libraries as a result of what was learned in 101. They are required to submit their projects in six months and then a final report. Participants said the training and project would be helpful to their home libraries.

The Library Commission hosts more than a dozen continuing education workshops each year to increase the skills of Mississippi's public library staff. Workshops have included basic librarianship skills, youth services, library security, financial management, technology training, and summer library programs.

River City Quilters offer Free Sewing/Quilting Classes - call 228-826-5597

The Ina Thompson Moss Point Library will host a series of free "Sit and Quilt" classes that will be held on Saturdays in the library meeting room from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Participants should bring materials and notions and, if possible, their own sewing machine. A limited number of machines may be available on a first come - first served basis. Classes are limited to the first 20 who register.

The classes are open to anyone age 14 and up. Registration is required by calling Marietta Johnson at 228-826-5597.

These classes will teach basic sewing techniques and tips. There will also be hands-on demonstrations inside the meeting room to show people how to make a strip quilt.

Class instructor, Marietta Johnson, has been sewing as long as she can remember. Marietta works with several groups and leads the Moss Point River City Quilters group. She has worked through the LINUS project to make blankets for sick infants and children and taught special classes on how to fashion replicas of Underground Railroad quilts. She was also recognized as volunteer of the year for 2009 for the Jackson-George Regional Library System.

The Library is located at 4119 Bellview St., near downtown Moss Point.

Library Team Takes up Challenge for Strides Against Cancer

The Jackson-George Regional Library System will participate in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk for the 4th year. The walk is to promote the fight against breast cancer and provide hope to people facing the disease. Mississippi's 4th Making Strides 5K (3.1 mile) walk will be in Biloxi. The Library System will enter with "Book It for a Cure" team members comprised of library staff and local friends of team captain Jo Anne West.

Members of the Book It For A Cure team are selling raffle tickets for the quilts, holding an on-line silent auction, selling hand crafted pink ribbons and other pink things as fund raisers. Monetary donations are always welcome. The Book It For A Cure team hopes to surpass their 2007 amount of $4500. The 2008 Book It For A Cure team of 35 members raised approximately $3500 and had twenty people walk last October. Many members of the team have experienced breast cancer personally or through a loved one.

The three quilts being raffled are locally made by members of the Scrappy Quilters of Gautier. The Scrappy Quilters meet weekly at the First United Methodist Church of Gautier to make prayer quilts, Linus blankets, work on joint projects and individual projects. Quilts made this year were sewn by sisters Dianne Bryant of Melbourne Florida, Jo Anne West, Janet of Janet's Quilting Bee Shop in Ocean Springs, Nita Green, and Nancy Green.

For the past several years the partnership between Making Strides and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) has changed the face of breast cancer in our nation's capitol. Thousands of dedicated Making Strides volunteers have made their voices heard and together, with ACS CAN, they are urging Congress to ensure that every woman has access to lifesaving cancer screening and treatment.

"Book it for a Cure" team members met recently to discuss fund raising efforts. Attending the meeting were Mary Ann Louviere, LaDonna Sims, Sarah McPherson, Jo Anne West, Faith Kelleher, Karen Gregory, Gina Morgan, Bonnie Reid, Betty Ann White, Kelly Eubanks, and Peggy Irland.

PAPOS Donates Sculpture to Ocean Springs Community

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library is now the home of a new work of art that was recently given to the community of Ocean Springs by The Public Art Project of Ocean Springs (PAPOS).

PAPOS chairman, Herb Moore, said, "We are pleased to offer this gift to the City of Ocean Springs. It is a wonderful and exciting piece by internationally-known artist Madeline Wiener of Denver, Colorado. Our Board has selected a location for this public art piece at the entrance to the Ocean Springs Municipal Library, just under the overhang at the front entrance on Dewey Avenue. With this location, we feel that this location will allow protection of the marble from the natural elements as well as providing lighting to accentuate this beautiful work of art."

The sculpture is entitled "Wise One," and is a marble sculpture approximately 5' long x 5' tall x 3' wide. The cost for this sculpture is covered by donations from PAPOS members, with support from the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Visitors Center.

Ms. Wiener said of the piece, "This was created in two stages. First came the baby. I called that 'Grand Baby' as I was overwhelmed as a new grandmother, by two grandchildren and then another... What I tried to express with the was the innocence and sweetness of a baby and my love. But that grand baby didn't seem right as she or he sat alone looking (out). The solution to the awkwardness of the solitary figure was to carve the old person. The question remains, who is the "wise" one? I've always looked to my children for their innate wisdom, and I think we learn from their innocence. Perhaps that old man represents any of us."

The City of Ocean Springs Public Works Department prepared a base and completed the installation.

Artist Madeline Wiener stands with her sculpture "Wise One" at the entrance to the Ocean Springs Municipal Library in Ocean Springs along with PAPOS chairman Herb Moore. The sculpture was donated by The Public Art Project of Ocean Springs (PAPOS).

Library System Receives over $44,600 in LSTA Grant Funds for Enhanced Services

Recently, the Mississippi Library Commission approved and funded three applications for 2009 Library Services and Technology Act Grants that will provide enhanced services offered by the Jackson-George Regional Library System. The Library System was awarded a total of $44,627.60 in grant funds.

The grants approved will provide; a portable Teen Center for Vancleave Public Library, Games and Game Systems for Teen programming, and Public Computer Ac

cess Management System for public computers. The last two will benefit patrons at all branches.
Library System board co-chairman Bruce Grimes said, "JGRLS staff continue to expand and enhance services to our patrons. These grants will accomplish multiple benefits - self-service computer use increases the time staff may directly assist customers with more complex needs and gaming center for teens will add attractiveness to our efforts to engage youth in library activities. No longer can it be claimed that there is nothing for teens to do!"

The Vancleave Moveable Teen Center will be designed to attract, inform, entertain and generally positively occupy the time of the teens that congregate at the Vancleave Public Library after school each week day that schools are in session. The center will include laptop computers and moveable furnishings that will provide a space for teens and opportunities for more programming.

Gaming at your Library programs will be offered to teens and others at all branch libraries. Grant funds will be used to purchase portable video monitors and current best-selling game consoles to accommodate multi-player video game activities. Wii Sports and other style games will be purchased. Multi-player games will take priority in selection of game titles for Game Day programming.

Grant funds will be used to purchase computer and printer management system software for the entire system, which will allow patrons to check out a public computer through a self-check service and manage their own print jobs and payments through a vending-style printer.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "We received input from all of the staff on needed priorities which is how we ended up requesting funds for public computer access management system software. This will allow library users to check out their own computers, print-out pages, and pay for printed material via a coin operated system. This will free up staff for other things including helping patrons throughout the library."

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a major Federal grant program for libraries, was passed in 1996. It is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent agency with the Executive Branch. The Library Services and Technology Act is a state-administered program.