More Stories from the Road...

It's been too long since I've updated my travels. I've been from one end of the state to the other and almost every spot in between (or so it feels!) Mississippi is such a great place to just get out and wander, so I really enjoy this part of my work here at MLC.

A couple of months ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Bay St. Louis with MLC's Executive Director Susan Cassagne to attend a Board of Supervisors meeting regarding the privatization of the Hancock County Library System. A company called LS&S had approached the Board of Supervisors claiming they could save the county money by making the library system a private entity. Needless to say, library supporters were not happy about the possibility and showed up in great numbers to the supervisors' meeting. The issue is ongoing, but this particular night proved to the supervisors that the residents of Hancock County do not support this idea. It was great to see the power of advocacy at work for this outstanding library system.

Hancock County Library Supporters

Next stop... Coffeeville! Have you ever met someone who made you feel like you have been friends forever? Patty Bailey, Director of the Yalobusha Library System, and I became fast friends when I visited her library a few weeks ago. Coffeeville is such a charming place, and she has created a space that is inviting and educational for the members of her community.

Patron computers at the Coffeeville Library

I was intrigued by a book in her collection, as it is one of my favorites. When John Grisham released his first novel, A Time to Kill, in 1984 he made a stop at the Coffeeville Library to promote the book.  He left a signed copy for the patrons of the library to enjoy.

Signed copy of John Grisham's first novel, Coffeeville Public Library

Last week, Susan Cassagne and I traveled to Starkville for a wonderful celebration the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Library held recognizing their "Mississippi Star Library" status through MLC. Late in 2016, MLC awarded star status to twelve libraries across the state based on per capita rates in four different areas including visits, circulation, program attendance, and public internet usage.

Mississippi Star Library celebration at Starkville

Parker Wiseman, Mayor of Starkville at the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Library

Board members, local dignitaries, and patrons of the library came out that day to recognize the staff for a job well done and we were honored to be a part of the festivities. Congratulations to all!

I'll be on the road again soon heading to McComb. I'm looking forward to learning about the great things going on with the Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System. Stay tuned for more from the road!