Stories from the Road - Summer 2018 Edition

I love my job. It's not just about the work; it's the people I get to meet and the wonderful places across the state I get to visit. Don't get me wrong, I do love my line of work. I've been doing it now for over 20 years and it allows me the opportunity to be creative, forces me to keep up with technology, and allows me to do something that has visible results. What more could anyone ask?

Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip bus

Recently, I was able to travel to two places I have never visited, the first being the Sardis Public Library, a branch of First Regional Library. MLC Consultant Mac Buntin asked me to tag along when he traveled there for the Scholastic Summer Reading Road Trip bus visit. The library entered a Scholastic sweepstakes to have the bus pay a visit and they were the only location in Mississippi to be selected. Michael Strose with Scholastic told me that Sardis was the perfect spot for a stop and they were thrilled with the turnout. Scholastic had two buses traveling across the country the entire month of July to remind children to keep up their reading skills. Ciardi Love, Youth Specialist with First Regional Library, said having the Scholastic bus stop by the Sardis Public Library was a great way to remind kids in the area that reading is fun!

Michael Strose with Scholastic and Ciardi Love with First Regional Library System channeling their inner Harry Potter.

Did you know? Reading gives you superpowers!

My next trip was with MLC Consultant Shellie Zeigler. We headed out early one morning to visit Union County Library System in the northeastern area of the state. Our first stop was in New Albany, where we caught up with the new library system director, Sissy Bullock. This is one of the cutest places I've been and it's easy to see that the residents are committed to taking care of their wonderful community. The library is a bustling place with lots of patrons taking advantage of the services offered. They are doing some renovations to the restrooms and the meeting rooms to make the space even more inviting. 

Shellie Zeigler, MLC Consultant, and Sissy Bullock, Union County Library Director

New Albany Public Library

After Shellie and I talked with Sissy about how MLC can assist the library, we headed out to the Myrtle Public Library. It truly was a "happy place" and people were coming and going during our visit.

Myrtle Public Library

We had a wonderful visit and a trip back to this beautiful part of the state is certainly in my future.

My travels across Mississippi with my colleagues have been fantastic. Now that I am nearing my three-year anniversary with MLC, what better gift than to see the great work going on in Mississippi's public libraries! Can't wait until my next trip!