Support Your Library with a Snapshot!

Have you ever wondered what goes on at your local public library? Do you wish you could support them more, but just can't seem to find the time? Snapshot Day, a yearly celebration of the power of Mississippi libraries, is the perfect opportunity for you to explore.

In 2009, librarians in New Jersey decided to highlight library activities and usage by focusing on one day, a typical day, in the life of their libraries. Thus, Snapshot Day was born. The American Library Association agrees that it is a powerful advocacy tool for libraries nationwide. While we all collect statistics year-round focusing on everything that libraries do, Snapshot Day is a unique way to look at everything the library world has to offer its communities. 

The Mississippi Library Commission has coordinated Snapshot Day activities across our state since 2018. Last year's Snapshot Day found over 5,000 Mississippians in their local public libraries, just in one day! Even better, they were using the best of what our libraries have to offer: job hunting and researching on computers, asking reference staff questions, attending programs for all ages, and yes, checking out books. Lots and lots and lots of books. (Nearly 5,000 of them!) Our Mississippi libraries have used the data collected to drive home the importance of our literary institutions. Whether during the legislative session on Library Capitol Day or when talking with local mayors and library boards, this information is a powerful force to show how much Mississippians love libraries. 

If you're ready to join in the Snapshot Day fun, ask your library when they're celebrating Snapshot Day. (All libraries will hold theirs on or before September 15.) You can find a list of Mississippi public library systems here. If you work at a Mississippi library, don't forget to check our website for tips and graphics for this year's event.And, best of all, join the Mississippi Library Commission for our own Snapshot Day extravaganza on Wednesday, September 4. We'll see you then!