Meet MLC Monday: Connie Jones

Meet Connie Jones, Serials Librarian at the Mississippi Library Commission! Connie's work at MLC covers everything to do with periodicals--that is, magazines, journals, newspapers, etc...--and she spends most of her days checking them in, creating and maintaining records for them, issuing claims for items not received, and "weeding" them as needed. She also helps process MLC's substantial large print collection and serves as secretary of MLC's Celebration Committee. Connie is actually a co-founder of our Celebration Committee; she and a co-worker started it back in 1992 as a way to do something nice for staff. "We wanted staff to be able to celebrate all our hard work together and to have time to fellowship with one another. It's been a huge success." She started work at MLC back in 1988 and worked in the Talking Book Services for four years before moving to the serials section.

Ms. Jones says that she loves her job and finds it to be both challenging and rewarding. "Some of it is routine, but a lot of the periodical information changes quite a bit. You have to pay close attention. It keeps me on my toes!" When asked her opinion of libraries after working in one for nearly 30 years, Connie had the following to say, "Libraries are a great way for people to connect with the outside world. They have books and information on every subject and they'll get you what you need if they don't have it. You can travel across the entire globe without ever leaving the library." She added that many people don't realize that libraries provide such great services. "Free computers! And Interlibrary Loan! These are perfect for people on a budget."

Connie loves to read, her favorite subject being fiction and nonfiction books about Christianity and religion. She's currently studying the book of Ephesians and supplementing her learning with books owned by MLC. Ms. Jones enjoys spending time with her three children and six grandchildren, many of whom live here in the Jackson Metro. She also likes to attend church, and when time permits, sings with the choir and is involved with other church activities.