Good-bye, Jane Smith

Jane Smith (left) with Sharman Smith (right)

When Jane Smith retired from the Mississippi Library Commission in 2010, our farewell to her read in part, "her passion is libraries and her love is books." She has been an integral part of the library community in Mississippi for a very long time.

From left to right: Ethel Dunn, Glenda Tilson, Jane Smith, and Sharman Smith

Smith started at MLC as a Library Consultant March 1, 1980. She held a variety of positions and titles in the thirty years she worked with us, including Library Consultant Supervisor, Acting Assistant Director for Library Development, Assistant Director for Library Development, Deputy Director, Director of Public Services, and Acting Director of the Mississippi Library Commission. (She held this last position not once, but twice.) Jane was also the 2006 MLA Peggy May Award winner.

Farewell party with Tracy Carr (left) and Jane Smith (right)

In 1992, she was key in securing $10 million in bond funding for public libraries This was ths first time the Mississippi Legislature had approved such funding for public libraries. It led to 100 new and newly renovated public library buildings in the state.

Smith was the person who contacted Senator Gray Ferris about developing a statewide collection of databases for use by public libraries. Ferris thought it was a great idea and academic, public, and school libraries joined forces to get legislative support. The end result was MAGNOLIA, which is still in use today. Other states followed Jane's and Mississippi's lead and began offering statewide access to databases.

Jane passed away yesterday morning, January 26, 2016, in Jackson, Mississippi. There will be no formal funeral service, but a celebration of her life will be held soon. MLC Executive Director Susan Cassagne said, "She was a presence. She was always fair and ready to listen. She was an integral part of the MLC family for many years; she will be missed. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers."

The Packet April/June, 2009.
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