Stories from the Road

Have I mentioned lately how much I love the road?  I think I have, repeatedly, in previous blog posts. What can I say? I like seeing new things and meeting nice people, and in Mississippi there is never a lack of either!

Recently Mac Buntin (MLC Consultant) and I hit the road to visit Patty Furr, Director of the Jackson-Hinds Library System located right here in our own backyard. Pulling into the Eudora Welty Library on State Street in Jackson, I was flooded with memories of my childhood. The building used to house a Sears Department Store and was where my mom and I shopped in those days. I remember well the wonderful aroma of peanuts as you entered the door... it drifted through the first floor from the famous nut counter.

Now the building houses a great collection of books and wonderful services to those in the capital city. Upon entering, I loved seeing Miss Welty keeping a watchful eye over the first floor. I have a feeling her spirit probably still spends some time wandering around between the stacks.

We visited with Patty and she talked about the great things going on, like plans for a new teen center and plans to divide computer space into areas for training and areas for general use. Then we had our own special tour of the library. It's exciting to see the new Museum of Mississippi History going up at the back door of the library and to think about what this new facility will mean to Jackson.

After our visit with Patty, we decided to make a day of it and jumped in the car to check out some more of the Jackson-Hinds's libraries... Edwards here we come!  

Mac Buntin and Patricia Moss

Patricia Moss, Branch Manager at the Lois A. Flagg Library, greeted us warmly and was excited to show us around her special space. One of my favorite features was the really neat meeting room. It's a long space with carpeted risers against one wall; it's perfect for summer library programming and other events. The library plays an important role in the small community of Edwards and we congratulated Patricia on a job well done. If you have never been to Edwards, it has the best bridge around; trust me, it is worth a day trip just to check it out!  

Lois A. Flagg Library in Edwards

After Edwards, we traveled onward to Bolton. We were excited to visit with Branch Manager Alfenette Robinson and to see what big plans she has in store for her library, the Annie Thompson Jeffers Library. The library was full and every single computer was in use during our visit. This library is an essential community service for the town and is a great space in the heart of downtown Bolton right next to Congressman Bennie Thompson's office.

Annie Thompson Jeffers Library in Bolton

The library, although small, was bright and cheerful and ready to welcome kids for their summer library program. We spent some time visiting with Alfenette and then said our farewells.

Be sure and stay tuned for my next adventure in Mississippi libraries! In the meantime, check out a Mississippi library for yourself--you won't be disappointed. Maybe you, too, will fall in love with the road and your local library!