Wrapping Paper Wrap-Up

Alex Brower

Information Services Director

Are you in need of an easy program for your library? Do you have an MLC card? If so, try out the DIY Painted Gift Wrap class on Creativebug. In this class, instructor Courtney Cerruti gives creators tips for creating unique gift wrap patterns using drawing paper, paint, and acrylic inks. She also gives you some ideas for how to use the wrapping paper for wrapping gifts. 

I used this class to have a practice program here at the Commission, and it went very well! It requires only a few supplies (I took out the acrylic inks and just used paint), the video is very short while providing several ideas, and it can be adapted for all ages and skill levels.

For my program, I invited MLC staff to stop by our main meeting room for a 1-hour program. Here are the supplies that I used:

• 2 boxes of various colors of acrylic paint
• Chip, foam, and regular paint brushes
• Paper and Styrofoam bowls for mixing paint, watering it down, or rinsing brushes

You can also use paper plates as a palette. To set up, I lined the meeting room tables with newspaper, spread out the paintbrushes along the tables, and set up boxes of paints at either end.

As participants came in, everyone grabbed some 12x18 inch 60 lb sketching paper and a bowl for holding or mixing paint. We watched the video, which is only about five and a half minutes long, and then we got to painting! Each participant was able to do two sheets of wrapping paper in the hour timeslot, and there was a separate area for drying that was also lined with paper. Set-up took about 20 minutes, mostly because there was a technical issue with the computer, and cleanup only took about 15 minutes. Everyone was incredibly pleased with their paper, and with good reason! Have a look at these beautiful creations: 

This program can easily be paired with other classes on Creativebug, like Stamped and Embossed Christmas Gift Tags, How to Fold a Paper Box, Gift Wrapping Techniques, and DIY Gift Bags. Creativebug can be accessed here: https://www.creativebug.com/lib/mlc with a Mississippi Library Commission library card. For more information about creating an account with us, call the Reference Desk at 601-432-4492, text 601-208-0868, or email mlcref@mlc.lib.ms.us.

Meet MLC Monday: Zach Burton

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Zach Burton, Patron Access Coordinator at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Zach helps maintain and circulate the Talking Book Services' digital book collection. He also maintains, circulates, and repairs MLC's National Library Service (NLS) digital book players. Zach holds a bachelor's degree in Anthropology and is currently enrolled at the University of Southern Mississippi as he finishes a master's degree in Library and Information Science with an Archival Certification.

Zach began working at MLC in September of 2022. He says, "I love being able to provide a service to the visually impaired community of our state; it is an incredibly rewarding line of work. Furthermore, I’ve greatly enjoyed working with all of my coworkers since I’ve begun here at MLC and look forward to the continued experience."

When asked his thoughts on libraries, Zach replies, "I like libraries for a plethora of reasons. Most simply, I love books and I love learning. More than that though, I believe the institutions of libraries and archives serve as some of the greatest bastions of intellectual freedom within a modern democracy. Within a library, we all have the freedom to explore any set of ideas which interest us, without being limited by economic restraints."

Zach loves to read, but claims that it’s too hard to pick a favorite book. (We understand; we have the same problem!) Two of his recent favorites are East of Eden by John Steinbeck, which he calls an undeniable classic, and Thomas Merton’s New Seeds of Contemplation, which he says is one of the most important books he's ever read. He also has a recommendation for sci-fi fans: he just completed Gene Wolfe’s The Book of The Long Sun and labels it a literary masterpiece.

When Zach isn't busy working or reading, he spends most of his time with his partner and their dog. He also manages to fit in time hiking and playing bass, drums, and guitar in a few bands, all while juggling his stack of graduate work.

We Read Banned Books: Lacy Ellinwood

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022. Every year for the past forty years, the book community has joined together to celebrate the freedom to read. We focus on free and open access to information and promote and support those books that have been challenged or banned, even those that we personally don't like or agree with. We've seen an unprecedented amount of challenges in 2022, many of them challenging multiple books instead of just one title. If you are a teacher or librarian and know of a book that has been challenged or banned in your area, you can report it to the Mississippi Challenged Book Index here and the American Library Association here.

We're sharing a staff member's views on a banned book every day this week and urge you to check them out, to read them, and to stand up against book challenges and bans in your local communities, schools, and libraries.

Our Lead Library Consultant Lacy Ellinwood chose the series Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark. The first book in the series was published in 1981 and is beloved by children for its collection of spooky tales based on folklore from around the globe. All three books have been challenged and banned for violence, occultism, religious viewpoint, being unsuitable for age group, insensitivity, and being too scary. Lacy says,

"The Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark series from Alvin Schwartz, and originally illustrated by Stephen Gammell, were never booktalked by my elementary school librarian. They were pandered by the hushed word of mouth from one student to the next. To this day, 30 years later, I have never put a hold on a book more often than those three titles. Each book speaks to what lurks in the dark and how the seemingly mundane can be oh so terrifying."

Censorship divides us. Books unite us. Celebrate the freedom to read.

Sources:

https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/

https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-2022-book-bans

https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/mcbi/

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/why-scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark-frightened-so-many-parents-in-the-1990s-180978945/

https://www.bannedlibrary.com/podcast/2014/8/1/scary-stories-to-tell-in-the-dark

We Read Banned Books: Tracy Carr

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022. Every year for the past forty years, the book community has joined together to celebrate the freedom to read. We focus on free and open access to information and promote and support those books that have been challenged or banned, even those that we personally don't like or agree with. We've seen an unprecedented amount of challenges in 2022, many of them challenging multiple books instead of just one title. If you are a teacher or librarian and know of a book that has been challenged or banned in your area, you can report it to the Mississippi Challenged Book Index here and the American Library Association here.

We're sharing a staff member's views on a banned book every day this week and urge you to check them out, to read them, and to stand up against book challenges and bans in your local communities, schools, and libraries. 

Deputy Director of Library Services Tracy Carr chose the book The Awakening by Kate Chopin. It was published in 1899 and examines the transformation of Edna Pontellier from housewife and mother to a woman in charge of her own body and decisions. It, along with a collection of other books was challenged for obscenity and/or pornographic material. It also ended Chopin's career, shocking critics and readers alike with its "vulgarity" and "morbidness". Tracy says,

"Kate Chopin's The Awakening is a story of a woman learning to live for herself outside of the role of wife and mother. It's not surprising that this book has been challenged for questioning traditional social and gender roles; at its heart, it's a radical feminist novel."

Censorship divides us. Books unite us. Celebrate the freedom to read.

Sources:

https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/

https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-2022-book-bans

https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/mcbi/

https://www.britannica.com/topic/The-Awakening-novel-by-Chopin

https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/awakening/

We Read Banned Books: Amy LaFleur

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022. Every year for the past forty years, the book community has joined together to celebrate the freedom to read. We focus on free and open access to information and promote and support those books that have been challenged or banned, even those that we personally don't like or agree with. We've seen an unprecedented amount of challenges in 2022, many of them challenging multiple books instead of just one title. If you are a teacher or librarian and know of a book that has been challenged or banned in your area, you can report it to the Mississippi Challenged Book Index here and the American Library Association here.

We're sharing a staff member's views on a banned book every day this week and urge you to check them out, to read them, and to stand up against book challenges and bans in your local communities, schools, and libraries.

Our Reference Librarian Amy LaFleur chose the book The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It was published in 1925 and features the tragic love affair of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire and embodiment of the American Dream, and Daisy Buchanan, a shallow socialite. It has been challenged and banned for strong language and sexual content that could be deemed controversial. Amy says,

"I love The Great Gatsby. I remember reading it for the first time in high school and being captivated by the mystery of Jay Gatsby. Upon a second reading as an adult, I appreciated both how beautifully written it is and the fact that it grapples with big questions despite being a rather short, fast-paced novel."

Censorship divides us. Books unite us. Celebrate the freedom to read.

Sources:

https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/

https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-2022-book-bans 

https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/mcbi/
https://www.britannica.com/summary/The-Great-Gatsby

https://www.marshall.edu/library/bannedbooks/great-gatsby/

We Read Banned Books: Margaret Smitherman

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022. Every year for the past forty years, the book community has joined together to celebrate the freedom to read. We focus on free and open access to information and promote and support those books that have been challenged or banned, even those that we personally don't like or agree with. We've seen an unprecedented amount of challenges in 2022, many of them challenging multiple books instead of just one title. If you are a teacher or librarian and know of a book that has been challenged or banned in your area, you can report it to the Mississippi Challenged Book Index here and the American Library Association here.

We're sharing a staff member's views on a banned book every day this week and urge you to check them out, to read them, and to stand up against book challenges and bans in your local communities, schools, and libraries.

Our Patron Services Librarian Margaret Smitherman chose the book A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. Published in 1962, it won the Newbery Medal the following year. It follows the story of a young girl, her brother, neighbor, and three witchy guides who take to the stars on a journey to find the children's scientist father. The novel has been challenged numerous times for promoting the occult and undermining religious beliefs. Margaret says,

"Reading A Wrinkle in Time was one of my favorite childhood memories. This book is the first volume in a series with great lessons in values and moral behavior, and a great suspenseful plot. What’s not to like?"

Censorship divides us. Books unite us. Celebrate the freedom to read.

Sources:

https://www.refinery29.com/en-us/2018/03/192818/a-wrinkle-in-time-religious-themes-christian-banned
https://www.britannica.com/topic/A-Wrinkle-in-Time
https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-2022-book-bans
https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/mcbi/

We Read Banned Books: Jessica Parson

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022. Every year for the past forty years, the book community has joined together to celebrate the freedom to read. We focus on free and open access to information and promote and support those books that have been challenged or banned, even those that we personally don't like or agree with. We've seen an unprecedented amount of challenges in 2022, many of them challenging multiple books instead of just one title. If you are a teacher or librarian and know of a book that has been challenged or banned in your area, you can report it to the Mississippi Challenged Book Index here and the American Library Association here. 

We're sharing staff members' views on a banned book every day this week and urge you to check them out, to read them, and to stand up against book challenges and bans in your local communities, schools, and libraries.

Our Library Services Coordinator Jessica Parson chose the book Ulysses by James Joyce. First published serially beginning in 1918, the novel was declared obscene in 1921. A court case in 1933 finally allowed for publication in the United States. The dense book is a modern take on Homer's Odyssey and uses stream-of-consciousness to explore a day in the life of one man in Dublin. It was challenged and banned in the United States for obscenity. Jessica says,

"I enjoy Ulysses because it envelopes the reader in a uniquely formed perspective of subjectivity."

Censorship divides us. Books unite us. Celebrate the freedom to read.

Sources:

https://www.mtsu.edu/first-amendment/article/821/ulysses

https://www.britannica.com/topic/Ulysses-novel-by-Joyce
https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/
https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-2022-book-bans

https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/mcbi/

We Read Banned Books: J.D. Burns

Welcome to Banned Books Week 2022. Every year for the past forty years, the book community has joined together to celebrate the freedom to read. We focus on free and open access to information and promote and support those books that have been challenged or banned, even those that we personally don't like or agree with. We've seen an unprecedented amount of challenges in 2022, many of them challenging multiple books instead of just one title. If you are a teacher or librarian and know of a book that has been challenged or banned in your area, you can report it to the Mississippi Challenged Book Index here and the American Library Association here.

We're sharing a staff member's views on a banned book every day this week and urge you to check them out, to read them, and to stand up against book challenges and bans in your local communities, schools, and libraries. 

Our Patron Services Librarian J.D. Burns chose the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey. First published in 1962, the novel examines the inhumanity of institutionalization by way of a power-hungry nurse in charge of a ward at a psychiatric hospital. It has been challenged and banned across the United States for using profanity, being pornographic, and glorifying criminal activity. J.D. says,

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest eloquently reminds us that sometimes the people in charge don't necessarily have the best in mind for us, and at times rebellion is what keeps us sane. It speaks to the different sides in each of us, that in times of stress it's okay to sit back and stay silent and observe, or pick up something heavy and throw against the wall."

Censorship divides us. Books unite us. Celebrate the freedom to read.

Sources:
https://world.edu/banned-books-awareness-flew-cuckoos-nest-ken-kesey/

https://bannedbooksweek.org/about/ 

https://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2022/09/ala-releases-preliminary-data-2022-book-bans

https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/mcbi/

Join Us at MLC!

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Have you ever dreamed of working at a library? Don't miss this opportunity to work at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)!

Our mission is strengthening and enhancing libraries and library services for all Mississippians, through leadership, advocacy, and service. Our award-winning facility is located at the Research and Development Center in Jackson, just off Lakeland Drive and Ridgewood Road. We are home to the Mississippi Center for the Book, a Patent and Trademark Resource Center, and the Mississippi Talking Book Service for the Blind and Print Disabled. We also offer extensive reference and interlibrary loan services for Mississippians and library consulting services and network services for libraries and librarians across the state.

We currently have four openings in the following departments: Talking Book Services, Operation Services, Library Services, and Technology Services. Applications must be made through the Mississippi State Personnel Board.

• Librarian I
  Closes August 23, 2022
  
• Maintenance/Grounds Manager
  Closes August 30, 2022
• Librarian III
  Closes September 5, 2022
  
• Client Support Technician II
  Closes September 7, 2022

We can't wait to add you to our team. Apply today!

Meet MLC Monday: George Brantley

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet George Brantley, Help Desk Specialist at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! George assists with technical support at MLC's Help Desk by directing the flow of incoming requests and following up on technical difficulties at MLC. He also helps edit the web page design for Mississippi's public libraries. George holds an associate degree in General and Computer Science, as well as certification in Apple Products and Lenovo, Dell, HP, and Chrome laptops.

George began working at MLC in May 2022. His favorite part of working here is our "office culture". He points out, "Work is defined by what the job demands, but it’s the people that make it what it truly is." Technology has always been a passion of George's and he loves empowering people with the tools and help needed to advance their skills in practical ways. He tells us that as a Help Desk Specialist, he can fulfill this role while also learning more about technology.

George loves libraries! He says, "Libraries are an arsenal of knowledge. Whether you need to find information regarding research or simply need to wind down with a good novel, you will always find ways to use a library when it comes to enlightenment or entertainment. In a world filled with digital archives and social media, libraries are the hard copies to which one can fall back on. If the digital world should perish, it will be books on which humanity can rely on for knowledge." 

Reading is one of my George's main hobbies, but he admits to being picky about the books he spends time reading for pleasure. He struggled to pick a favorite book among so many available, but said Ready Player One ranks high on his list. "As an avid gamer, I can appreciate the subtleties that the author, Ernest Cline, touched on: how gaming can be an escape for people, but 'real life' is worth living too." When he's not reading or working hard at MLC, George loves going to the gym. He enjoys editing his form and technique and seeing the results of his efforts. George is also a die-hard gamer. He says, "I love how video games can bring a community together. I think it's great how you can escape into a different world and character, much like reading a book. It can bring that same joy."

Mississippi Public Librarian Scholarship Program Grant Announced

Natalie Dunaway

Grant Programs Coordinator

The Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) is excited to announce that the Mississippi Public Librarian Scholarship Program Grant application window is OPEN! This scholarship is meant to empower Mississippi libraries and the librarians who work in them. These funds are provided through a Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant and administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) through MLC. Individuals requiring an alternative format of this LSTA program information may contact the Grant Programs division for assistance.

If you are looking to pursue a Master of Library and Information Science, the Scholarship Program Grant will pay program tuition and mandatory course fees during your schooling. This is a competitive grant, and up to five applicants will be awarded. If you are interested, or know someone who might be interested, please see the information below. Applications will close at midnight, Thursday, June 30th, 2022.

Applicants must meet all three requirements below:

• Those employed in a Mississippi public library for at least eighteen (18) hours per week
• Those employed in a Mississippi public library for at least one continuous year
• A resident of Mississippi for at least one continuous year

For more information, please see the Scholarship Manual here, and the Scholarship Application here.

If you have any questions, please contact our Grant Programs Coordinator Natalie Dunaway at ndunaway(at)mlc.lib.ms.us or call at 601-432-4054.

Reel Scary: MLC’s Microfilm Readers

Amy LaFleur

Reference Librarian

Ever wonder what you call that nifty machine all the horror film characters use to crack the curse and save the day? Or perhaps you need help identifying the spirit haunting your apartment. Either way, the machine you need is called a microfilm reader.

This machine works by projecting images stored on microfilm and then magnifying them so that they become readable. The machine is paired with software that allows one to manipulate the projected image in order to better view its contents. For example, there are ways to correct film that appears upside down or backwards. One can also crop out extraneous information from a web capture. MLC’s microfilm software, ViewScan 4T, even allows patrons printing and saving options so that they can have a copy of the information they’ve located once they leave. Sound overwhelming? Don’t worry. This software includes a short tutorial video that covers how to use each of these features.

Despite these useful features, patrons often shy away from the microfilm reader as if it were a red eyed monster with pointy teeth. At one point, MLC’s patrons were justified in feeling this way. See, just as recently as this past January, the Commission was battling a menacing machine that seemed to be guided by otherworldly hands. While I did not experience these creepy happenings personally, I’ve heard whispers from those who did. Alex Brower, Information Services Director, explains how the machine would “screech” when in use and, “At the very end, it had trouble working, the light would come on under the plate but the actual camera wouldn’t show anything.” She also shares how she is “so much happier with the new machines,” because, “they are so fancy!” I think we all know that the word “fancy” here actually means not haunted.

And how great for researchers that these new machines are much nicer! Before the switch, many patrons were missing the sense of reward that follows locating obscure yet helpful information. For instance, some patrons have found useful information they could not access elsewhere regarding loved ones via our microfilm reader. The sources in our collection also have the potential to help researchers with questions about notable local events and legends. For instance, many people might be unaware of Mississippi’s brief brush with extraterrestrials. However, one event often referred to as the 1973 Pascagoula Alien Abduction made national headlines, and MLC’s microfilm collection contains an article from the Clarion-Ledger covering the infamous happenings. See the image below: 

Perhaps local legends are not your thing? No worries! Patrons are welcome to view their own microfilm reels on these machines. Currently, there is no limit to how many reels patrons can bring and view at MLC. I hope more patrons will use this handy resource more often.

***Note*** While we promise that the new microfilm reader doesn’t bite, we make no such promise for the information it unwinds.

Hear Ye, Here Ye! Audiobook Picks from Elisabeth Scott

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

I am a later-in-life convert to audiobooks. When I was a kid, we used to stop at the library and pick up books on tape for road trips. As soon as my parents pushed the cassette into the tape deck, I would pull out whatever paperback I was reading and block out the drone of the story coming from the front of the car. (I'm really good at ignoring whatever else is going on around me when I'm reading.) I've never liked headphones or ear buds; they bug my ears. Most of all, I like to read at my pace. I don't want to depend on someone else to read a book for me. But.

I went on a road trip with family several months back and everything changed. We had recently added hoopla as one of the services offered by MLC. I figured 'no harm, no foul' and we had our first audio picked out and playing before we crossed into Madison County. I was hooked.

The Huntress by Kate Quinn

This is the book that launched my new found love of audiobooks! A few of us on the road trip had read the print version of Kate Quinn's The Alice Network when it came out a few years before, so we figured another of her lady spy novels would be perfect for our journey. Boy, were we right. The narration switches back and forth between three main protagonists, spinning this story of female pilots and photographers forward at high velocity. I was afraid that I would get confused moving between the different points of view in an audiobook, but the narrator, Saskia Maarleveld, made the transitions effortless. It was such a success that, as soon as we got home, I searched through hoopla's catalog to find more books to add to my queue.

The Birchbark House by Louise Erdrich

Louise Erdrich's middle grade series had been on my TBR for years, ever since I heard it recommended as a Native perspective of life occurring at the same time and place as Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House books. The first book in the series follows seven-year-old Omakayas as she learns how to tan hides, collect medicinal flora, and bead moccasins. I quickly replaced my morning radio routine with snippets of audiobook, where I learned about the Ojibwe. I loved the emphasis on community, nature, and the connection between the two. The narrator, Nicolle Littrell, had a soothing voice that didn't disturb my immersion into this world so different from my own. Omakayas was in my thoughts for many weeks afterwards, especially since I segued immediately into The Game of Silence.

All Systems Red by Martha Wells

This series came to my attention a few months ago when it was announced that Martha Wells was declining her Nebula nomination because "the Murderbot Diaries series has already received incredible praise from her industry peers and wanted to open the floor to highlight other works within the community." Well. That piqued my interest! I dove feet first into the story of a sarcastic, world-weary artificial construct. The entire series is available on hoopla audio, so I found myself fitting in more and more listening time. The narrator, Kevin R. Free, was great at making the voice of each character unique, important in a series with so many players. I found myself laughing out loud in my office as I ate lunch and getting teary-eyed as I did the dishes. Murderbot, you're the best.

I didn't realize that reading audiobooks would mean that I would read more, not less. I still carry around a print book to read when I can't listen to books. (Right now it's Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann.) Sometimes I'll read it at night to fall asleep, or in the morning when I'm just waking up. Reading audiobooks, though, has opened a new door into enjoying literature that I didn't think was possible for me. It's a little more leisurely, I've learned how to actually pronounce a few words (as opposed to how I think they should be pronounced), and it allows me to build the story in my head in a different way than print books. You should give them a try!

To learn more about hoopla through the Mississippi Library Commission, give us a call at 1-800-647-7542. Many of our Mississippi public libraries also offer hoopla and other audio services like Libby, so be sure to ask the next time you visit.

Last but not least, keep your ears peeled for our podcast drop June 1. It will feature even more of MLC staff's experiences with audiobooks!

Meet MLC Monday: Erin Morin

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Erin Morin, Administrative Services Assistant at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Erin, a filing and organization wizard, helps MLC's Administrative Services team with various projects. Some of these projects may or may not involve regularly using the Keurig… you know, just to make sure it’s still working. (She's a wizard at this, too.) Erin holds a Master of Letters in Fantasy Literature from the University of Glasgow – if you Google image search it, you’ll see that she basically went to Hogwarts. (Take a virtual tour of the campus for the full-on Harry and Hermione experience!)

Erin began working at MLC in May 2022. She says she loves being a part of an organization that supports some of our state’s most vital resources. Erin's also a fan of the view from her window; she gets to look out across our lawn to the other side of our gorgeous library. When asked what she thinks about libraries, she says, "I was raised in libraries, and some of my fondest childhood memories involve the programming my local library hosted, from Summer Reading events to holiday craft parties." She added, "Libraries are absolutely vital to the communities they serve and society as a whole. They’re bastions of knowledge, custodians of history, and gateways to other worlds."

Erin is a huge reader. She loves books and says her favorite is The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. She's also a huge fan of Neil Gaiman and the Harry Potter series (As an aside, she mentions that this is only right, because she's a Ravenclaw millennial.) When she's not at MLC or checking out the newest reads, you can find Erin gaming. She still owns her very first console, a Sega Genesis. She enjoys single-player, story-heavy RPGs (role-playing games) with lots of player choice and multiple endings, as well as good survival games, simulation games and quirky VNs (visual novels).

Cataloging The Unusual

Katie Gill

Cataloging Librarian

When you think of a library’s catalog, what’s the first thing you think of? If you’re older, you might think of pulling out a small drawer and rifling through all the cards to find the specific book you want. If you’re a millennial like myself, you might think of going to a computer terminal in your local public library, typing in a subject or title you’re interested in, and writing down the call number on a scrap of paper. But no matter what you think of when you think of a library’s catalog, you think of books. Searching for books in a database, looking at books printed on tiny little cataloging cards, going back to research because you wrote down the number wrong and can’t find what you’re looking for… Cataloging is an essential job, the art of creating an organized database so that patrons and staff can see what items a library has in its collection as well as where those items can be found in the library.

As libraries grow and expand to help serve all aspects of the community, the catalog also has to grow and expand to accommodate more than just books. It has audio, video, three-dimensional objects, games, seeds, bicycles, kits, and so on and so forth. The list goes on and on—ask three different libraries what non-book material they have in their catalog and they’ll give you three different answers. At MLC, our non-book collection mostly consists of kits, board games, and state documents. And as the cataloging librarian, it’s my job to make sure everybody can find them.

Our cataloging program, OCLC Connexion Client, connects to WorldCat, a library management and collections system used throughout the United States. When I look up a book in Connexion Client, it will pull up multiple catalog entries used by various libraries that also use WorldCat. For example, searching for the title of a book can pull up the physical book, the ebook, the audiobook, and the large print version of the book. Usually, it’s easy enough to find the right catalog entry and copy it for use in our system (in a process called copy-cataloging). But sometimes, with non-book materials, the process can be deceptively hard.

Do you know how many times a classic board game can be reprinted? A lot. And that’s not counting the spin-off versions and reworkings said classic board game might have. When you’re cataloging the board game Labyrinth, it’s important that you’re cataloging the original game Labyrinth and not The Amazing Spider-Man Labyrinth, The Lord of the Rings Labyrinth, Master Labyrinth, Ocean Labyrinth, Secret Labyrinth, Harry Potter Labyrinth, Super Mario Labyrinth, or Despicable Me Labyrinth. It takes a lot of searching, a lot of double-checking, and a lot of complaining before finding the right game. That double-checking is necessary: some editions might have different rules than others. Likewise, the five-year-old obsessed with Minions would be pretty mad if the catalog said we had Despicable Me Labyrinth but we actually had Harry Potter Labyrinth.

But what about things that are created in-house? At MLC, we have some kits that public libraries can check out that we make ourselves. Some of them are easier to adapt than others. Our Story Walk kits and our Book Club kits are based off already-existing books. I can just copy the catalog entry for the BOOK and do some fiddling so that it’s about the KIT by changing the title, description, type of material, and contents, as well as a few other fields.

And then, there are times when I’ve just got to create the catalog entry myself. Whether it’s due to a kit that we make in-house or a state document that nobody else has for loan, there are times when it’s just me and that blank catalog entry. And that’s when I pore over all the cataloging books I keep in my office, looking at all the subjects and terms I can use, wondering how the heck I’m going to translate “a study of the variable depths of concrete in high-impact traffic studies” into a cute and catchy two-word phrase so that people can easily find this academic study.

So next time you’re at your local public library, search a little deeper in the catalog! Check out the videos, board games, seed packets, or other non-book items and spare a thought for the poor cataloging librarian who’s just now realizing she knows absolutely nothing about how roads work.

Meet MLC Monday: Akeyla Harper

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Akeyla Harper, Patron Services Librarian at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC)! Akeyla serves as a readers' advisor for the Talking Book Services (TBS) department. This includes selecting books to send to patrons and assisting them over the phone with questions about/requests for specific books. She is also involved outreach activities. Akeyla, a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Jackson State University, holds a bachelor’s degree in Health, Physical Education, and Recreation with a concentration in Therapeutic Recreation. She is a Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist.

Akeyla began working at MLC in April of 2022. She loves the services TBS provides to Mississippians. "My favorite part of my job is being able to assist the patrons who we provide this amazing service to. TBS is a great resource for special populations of people who sometimes believe they can’t do things because of a disability." Akeyla has discovered that she really enjoys advocating for listening to books for leisure, as well as introducing new people to the idea of listening to books as a way to improve overall quality of life. She says that these same ideas apply to libraries. "I like libraries because of all the resources they provide, their peacefulness, and the helpful staff. Libraries are a no judgement space filled with books, computers, and more for people to go to for free to open their minds to something new. Libraries are important because they are for everyone."

Akeyla loves to read, but she doesn't have a favorite book, or even a favorite genre. Instead, she prefers to read a variety of stories: fantasy, sci-fi, drama, anime, current events, adventure, mystery, and crime. Recently, she's begun reading more short stories, just for the quickness of them. 

When she's not busy spreading a love of reading at MLC, you can find Akeyla playing board games with her kids and traveling with her family. She also likes listening to music, swimming, and being outside on a warm day in the fresh air and sun. Akeyla enjoys games, especially word search puzzles and phone and video games. She also spends some of her downtime watching movies, anime, documentaries, and crime shows.

What's on my Nightstand?

Alex Brower

Information Services Director

I have a nontraditional “nightstand” where I keep my TBR (to be read) pile. It is a bag that shifts around my house, so I don’t have to deal with the shame of not reading what’s in it. This helps me pretend that it doesn’t really exist and leaves room for other nightstand stuff, like sleep masks, some change, and several bookmarks. Okay, the bookmarks might be several receipts, a sticker that I keep forgetting to stick anywhere, and one Cards Against Humanity card. Once I officially start a book, it goes on the nightstand. Here are three titles that I am currently hiding from myself that will one day (hopefully) make it to the nightstand: 

The City of Good Death by Priyanka Champaneri

I was drawn to this book because I love a good ghost-y, magical realism story. It also has a really pretty cover, which I am a sucker for. The story also talks about beliefs and rituals surrounding death in India, and I choose to learn about new things through fiction. Nonfiction book about something I want to learn about? Ew, no. Fiction book that includes something I don’t know about and there’s a ghost (I think)?! Yes, please!

My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix

The main reason I want to read this book is because of the cover. And it’s about an exorcism, which intrigues me. But it’s mostly the cover: it looks like a classic 80s horror book, complete with terrible photoshop and great hair. I’ve read a couple of other books by Hendrix and they are lighthearted enough to balance out the scariness and gore, which I handle terribly. I am still afraid of the Goosebumps cat from the cinematic opus Call of the Cat that I watched in fourth grade.

A House Called Awful End by Philip Ardagh

Even though I've read this book before, I’m still counting it. I remember it being one of my favorite books from when I was a kid and I have been on a kick of rereading books that I used to love. This one is about a young boy named Eddie who comes to live with his aunt and uncle. They have odd rules and keep the company of a stuffed stoat. One of their rules is that children should not be seen or heard, only smelled, and Eddie must wear an onion around his neck. That might be made up, as it has been approximately 10 years since I read it the first time. I remember it being hilarious and filled with misadventures, so I’m excited to see whether it has held up. How could it not?

Those are just a few of the books in the official nightstand-avoidance bag. The contents change as I give up and return books that never draw my attention once they are no longer in the flattering library or bookstore lighting. Maybe one day I will be stronger than the bag and just read all the stuff I bring home, but that would mean there were no new books! And that is, frankly, not a world I want to live in.

Congratulations, Friends!

Lacy Ellinwood

Lead Library Consultant

The Friends of Mississippi Libraries Inc. is pleased to announce the 2022 Margaret Murray Grant recipients. There were 12 applications this year and very competitive for the reviewers. The Friends of Mississippi Libraries, Inc. would like to thank everyone that applied. The next Margaret Murray grant cycle will open in October 2022. Please join us in congratulating these local Friends groups. 

 

Friends of the Greenwood-Leflore Public Library System:

The funds acquired through the Margaret Murray Grant will be used in the library’s efforts to create and maintain a collection and programming for the Spanish-speaking community of Greenwood, Mississippi. The bulk of the money will go towards buying bilingual and Spanish-language materials with the remainder used to acquire necessary materials for programs specific to the Spanish-language community, such as a Bilingual Storytime. The library noted an increase in Spanish-speaking patrons at the library, highlighting the lack of resources for non-English speakers, and amplified the importance of providing services for them through the library. 

 

Friends of the Lexington Public Library, Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System:

Funds will be used to purchase a combination of 1st grade reading level books and Wonderbooks. Wonderbooks are printed books with a ready-to-play audiobook inside and include a Learning Mode to keep talking about the book children just read. Wonderbooks give children an edge with vocabulary development, phonics, and comprehension, and encourage deeper engagement with every book. Holmes County children age birth to 5 are at a poverty rate of 61.3% and are considered "high risk" in their Kindergarten Assessment scores. 

 

Friends of the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System: 

The funds will be used to bolster inclusive offerings of graphic novels and manga to library patrons. This includes manga and graphic novels by and about BIPOC individuals and those with disabilities. By diversifying the collection, it will appeal to a broader audience and benefit current program offerings to promote cultural competency development, including manga drawing practice, sampling food from various cultures represented in the collection during the Anime and Manga club, and more. The Anime and Manga Club contributed to circulation in this collection with statistics showing a 100% increase from 2020 to 2021. Graphic novels and manga have increased in popularity for their benefits to neurodivergent readers and individuals who value visuals with texts. 

Congratulations to these friends groups on the great work they're doing in Mississippi libraries. It's always a good time to join your local library friends organization, so give your library a call today and ask how to participate!

Hear Ye, Here Ye! Audiobook Picks from Mary Rodgers

Mary Rodgers Beal

Talking Book Services Director

Over the past few years, I’ve discovered how much I prefer audiobooks over standard print books. Not only are audiobooks beneficial for people who are blind or print disabled, they’re convenient for busy people. Listening to audiobooks still counts as reading; in fact, sometimes it’s better. Here are some examples of audiobooks I believe are better than the print version.

 

Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This book is about a fictional (although I could believe it was real) band who goes through the ups and downs of fame. It’s told in an interview format which really helps the reader to get immersed in the story. Daisy Jones and the Six is narrated by multiple actors and I feel like this brings a level of storytelling that you just wouldn’t get while reading a standard print book. Each narrator brings the characters to life by making the character their own. Hearing the narrators reading their parts still allows a reader to imagine what the character looks like and how the actions are played. I loved this book in audio and tell everyone who wants a book recommendation that they have to read this as an audiobook, not a print book.

Memorial Drive: A Daughter’s Memoir by Natasha Trethewey

I’ll be honest and put out there that I’m already a big Natasha Trethewey fan. I had to read her poetry for a class in college and I was hooked. This Mississippi native is very talented. Her memoir about growing up and losing her mother at a young age is remarkable. I love a memoir that is narrated by the author and this one does not disappoint.

Uncommon Type by Tom Hanks

This book is also narrated by the author. Even though these are short stories and not a memoir, I’m still a fan because that way it’s even more of an immersive experience into what the author wanted to portray in their book. And who doesn’t enjoy Tom Hanks? He brings his imagination into his writing as well as his narration.

Here at MLC, hoopla or Talking Book Service’s BARD (Braille and Audio Reading Download) program are great resources to find the audiobook that is right for your interests! If you know of anyone who is eligible for Talking Book Services, contact us at 1-800-446-0892 or talkingbooks@mlc.lib.ms.us. If you have an MLC library card, you are eligible to sign up for hoopla. Give us a call at 1-877-594-5733 if you need help logging in. Many of our Mississippi public libraries also offer hoopla and other audio services like Libby, so check them out!

Meet MLC Monday: Amy LaFleur

Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

Meet Amy LaFleur, Reference and Archives Librarian at the Mississippi Library Commission! Amy assists patrons with reference questions, whether by phone, text, mail, or in-person. She has also taken on the task of organizing MLC's archives collections. Amy holds a bachelor's degree in English from the Mississippi University for Women, a master's degree in English from Mississippi State University, and a master's degree in Library and Information Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Amy began working here in January of 2022. She says that so far, her favorite part of working at MLC is the atmosphere. "Everyone is friendly and works together." When asked about the positive things that libraries accomplish, Amy replied, "I love libraries because they allow patrons access to materials and programs they might otherwise miss. Also, libraries provide an excellent atmosphere for research and learning." 

Amy loves to read, but claims to be a picky reader. She says, "I typically like a good thriller or horror novel that moves quickly, but I will ready anything that holds my interest." Some of her favorite authors are Grady Hendrix, Edgar Allan Poe, Ian McEwan, Kealan Patrick Burke, Kate Morton, and Marisha Pessl. (We had to stop her from listing more, so we're pretty sure we can go to her for great book recommendations from now on.) When she's not whipping us into shape at MLC or relaxing with a good book, you can find Amy in her kitchen. She loves baking and learning new recipes, especially hunting down elusive gluten-free recipes that actually taste good.

Canada, Mexico, Russia, Oh My!

Alex Brower

Information Services Director

It has been extremely difficult to travel for the past year and some change, and if you’re like me, you’re getting tired of seeing the same walls. Why aren’t you a beach, walls?!

You might also be in need of a little romance in your life. No need to turn to real-life humans for that, though, they’ll only let you down. You can travel all over the world and meet a total dreamboat, all from the comfort of your couch!

MLC’s collection has a variety of romance books that can take you to just about any corner of the globe. The map below gives a sampling of where some of our romance books take place. Looking to “travel” anywhere in particular? Just let us know! We can hook you up with the right place to mix up quarantine or a weekend in.

Not sure where you want to go, but want to mix up your reading list? Try out our Bookmatch service and get connected with your new literary love. You can fill out the form at bit.ly/mlcbookmatch. and we'll send you a list of books to read, custom-tailored to match your mood. (Let us know if you want that Icelandic or Argentinian romance. We'll include it in your Bookmatch recommendations!)

Have a lovely book-cation!

Lusia Harris, Mississippi Basketball Queen

Elisabeth Scott

Social Media and Reference Librarian

Lusia Harris
Delta State University, The Broom, 1977

 

Mississippi's queen of basketball, the one and only Luisa Harris, passed away earlier this week. She was a world-class pioneer of the sport, an Olympic medalist, and an NBA draft pick. She helped redefine how people view basketball, especially basketball played by women, and doubly so by Black women. I've always found her story inspirational: she was a force on the court and gave back to her community as a coach. She had grace under fire and she rose above the barbs people slung her way, concentrating only on basketball and her education. There aren't any biographies solely about her yet, but there are some great books about girls on the court out there that I think you should know about. Check them out at your local Mississippi public library!

 

Allie's Basketball Dream

Barbara E. Barber, author

Darryl Ligasan, illustrator

This 1996 picture book is perfect for girls who dream of playing basketball, but are either intimidated by boys who play or told they can't play because they're girls. You'll cheer for Allie when she makes her first shot. I bet Lusia would have loved this book!

Pippa Park Raises Her Game

Erin Yun, author

Imagine Great Expectations, only Pip is a Korean-American girl who loves to play basketball. That's right! Grace Yun has updated Dickens's classic in this 2020 middle grade book that is no whining--I'm looking at you, Pip--and all heart (and basketball!)

Shattering the Glass: The Remarkable History of Women's Basketball

Pamela Grundy and Susan Shackelford, authors

As this 2005 young adult book will tell you, women have been playing basketball practically since the sport was invented in 1891. If you want to explore girls playing ball, this is the book for you. Lusia Harris and her Delta State team are prominently featured in the chapter "The Fight for Title IX".

 

Full-Court Quest: The Girls from Fort Shaw Indian School Basketball Champions of the World

Linda Peavy and Ursula Smith

Did you know that a team of Native women playing basketball was one of the main attractions of the 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis? While this book lacks something in the way these women and other Indigenous peoples were treated as a whole, it is a fascinating look at women playing basketball and beating the pants off men. I think Lusia Harris would approve.

Inspired to learn more about Lusia herself? Don't miss Inaugural Ballers, coming this fall. (Yes, that's Harris with her Olympic medal, fourth from the left.):

The story of the first US women's Olympic basketball team, set in the context of Title IX and the women's rights movement of the early 70s, is the subject of my next book, INAUGURAL BALLERS, coming in fall 2022 from @VikingBooks. #NBCOlympics #Olympics pic.twitter.com/Pt30BsJhir

— Andrew Maraniss (@trublu24) August 8, 2021

Meet MLC Monday: Evan Theilman

 Elisabeth Scott

Reference and Social Media Librarian

 

Meet Evan Theilman, Patron Services Librarian and Readers Advisor in the Talking Book Services Department at the Mississippi Library Commission. Evan helps patrons select digital books, as well as responding to any concerns or questions they may have. He also assists in downloading books to cartridges for patrons. Evan holds a bachelor's degree in English from the University of Mississippi. 

Evan began working at MLC December 1 and says he enjoys working for an organization that's motivated by helping people rather than being purely profit-driven. When asked why he thinks libraries are important, Evan responds, "Libraries provide everyone with access to information that used to be the domain of the wealthy. They're a great tool you can use to better yourself for free."

Evan spends a fair amount of his free time reading, especially science fiction and fantasy novels. Even though it falls into neither category, his favorite book is The Count of Monte Cristo. When he's not reading, you can find him building models, cooking, and playing video games and RPGs like Dungeons and Dragons.