MLC's Patent and Trademark Resource Center

In May of 1990 the Mississippi Library Commission was named the 69th Patent and Trademark Resource Center in the nation by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Patent, and Trademark Office. Figures indicated that a patent research library in Mississippi would generate between $3 million and $27 million in state personal income. To become a patent research library MLC had to acquire a minimum 20 year back file of U.S. patents, maintain selected documents supplied free of charge by the Patent Office, and make its data and services available to the public at no cost.

If you have questions regarding patents and trademarks, contact Lawrence Smith, Patent Librarian.

You can learn more about the history of MLC's Patent and Trademark Resource Center in Volume 23, Number 5, and Volume 25, Number 3 of The Packet.

Laser Disk Library

In the fall of 1986 the Mississippi Library Commission purchased a unique computerized interlibrary loan system. This system was developed by Frank Pezzanite, president of Library System and Services Inc (LSSI). The system was part of a laser disk based union catalog, which can be seen being used in the picture. The development of the interlibrary loan system began in 1984 with MLC providing grants to 27 public library systems to buy hardware and the LSSI software. The pilot project began in 1985 and was considered a success. This new system allowed libraries to process requests within two to five days, which was less than half the time it originally took.

To learn more, visit The Packet Volume 19 No. 4 of 1986.

Happy reading!

MLC's Move to Ellis Ave.

In the summer of 1983 the Mississippi Library Commission began making plans to move to their new location at 1221 Ellis Avenue. This move would combine their two existing locations on West Capitol Street and at the Woolfolk Building into the Miller Center building. The new location increased space by approximately 11,000 square feet. This gave the agency more room for its collection since many of MLC’s books had been boxed and stored because of inadequate shelving space. This also enabled the agency to add more than 80,000 volumes within their existing shelving area. The poor condition of the West Capitol location was another factor considered in making the move. However, MLC’s Services for the Handicapped that was located in the Lions Building at 5455 Executive Place did not immediately move to the new location at Ellis Ave. The Miller Building provided a layout that allowed for future expansion of the stack area and featured an open-office area. The move began in August 1983 and was fully operational by October 1983.

MLC remained in their Ellis Ave. location until their new building was built in 2005. You can learn more about MLC's move to Ellis Ave. in volume 16 issues 3, 4, and 5 of the Packet.

Puppet Kits

In response to a Nancy Renfro Puppetry Workshop held in early 1981, the Mississippi Library Commission created puppet kits as a new service for public libraries. Each kit included puppets and scripts for each puppet. The puppet characters included: Wooser Witch (our favorite witch name ever), Henny Penny, Goldilocks, the Three Piggies and Little Red (Riding Hood). You can learn more about the Puppet Kits in volume 14 issue 5 of the 1981 Packet.

Puppet fans, rejoice! By the end of summer 2016, we'll be rolling out brand new puppet kits for the Mississippi Library Commission's collection. The coming puppet kits will include nursery rhyme and fairy tale characters, a wide variety of animals, mythical beings, and family kits featuring African-American, Caucasian, and Latino people puppets. Finger puppets will be available for some categories. The puppets will be available for checkout as a set with related books for story times.

Lil' Darlin'

In 1985, the Mississippi Library Commission gained an unusual new employee, Lil’ Darlin’ the Yorkshire Terrier. Lil’ Darlin’ was a trained Hearing Dog and was one of the first in the state of Mississippi. Her job at MLC was to assist Sherry Dixon, a Reference Librarian in the Information Services branch. Ms. Dixon had progressive hearing loss since birth; with Lil’ Darlin’ by her side, she was able continue her duties at MLC.  

To learn more about the first trained Hearing Dog at MLC, visit volume 18, issue 3 of the 1985 Packet. Until next time, happy reading!

Never Looked Better

By Susan Cassagne

Executive Director

Mississippi Library Commission 

Capitol Street in downtown Jackson, MS - 1920s

The year was 1926, 90 years ago, when the Mississippi Library Commission was born in our legislature. I recently thought about what things must have been like back then; what was daily life like during that year in America....in Mississippi? With a little research, I discovered that Calvin Coolidge was serving his second term as President of the United States. One in six Americans owned a car and the Model T Ford was considered the first affordable automobile in America. Negro History Week was celebrated for the first time; it would later become Black History Month.

Model T Ford - 1920s

One of the most recognizable characters in children's literature, Winnie the Pooh, written by A.A. Milne, began spreading joy and teaching about love and acceptance. Additionally, Ernest Hemingway penned his classic, The Sun Also Rises, and our own William Faulkner released his first novel, Soldiers' Pay. It was a banner year for literature.

Flappers were all the rage and Al Jolson, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington were singing the popular songs of the day. Rudolph Valentino died of appendicitis and devoted fans were devastated by the loss. Over 100,000 people lined the streets of New York to say farewell to the beloved actor.  Babe Ruth hit three home runs in Game Four of the World Series and Scottish inventor John Baird introduced the first television.

Babe Ruth

Here at home, Henry Lewis Whitfield was governor of the state. Whitfield was born in Rankin County and began a teaching career at the age of sixteen after he obtained his degree from Mississippi College. He was elected governor in 1923, which was the first election in which women could vote for governor in Mississippi. During his administration, he recommended a progressive legislative program that included better mental health care, better vocational training, the reorganization of the entire public school system, and better economic opportunities for the state's black citizens.

Governor Henry Lewis Whitfield

Today, the Mississippi Library Commission celebrates its 90th year. This birthday brings with it a history of significant moments, that include consistent leadership, advocacy, and service to libraries across the state. We are proud to introduce our new brand - a new look that underscores our commitment to those we serve. Happy birthday, MLC; you've never looked better. May you continue to serve for 90 plus more!

MLC's 90th Birthday!

This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Mississippi Library Commission. The Library Commission was established March 18, 1926 by an Act of the Mississippi Legislature. According to this act, the library was to provide advice to those seeking to establish libraries, to operate traveling libraries, to collect data from the state's libraries, and to make an annual report to the legislature. Today, the Mississippi Library Commission offers a wide variety of direct and indirect services to Mississippi libraries, Mississippi government agencies, and Mississippi citizens. To celebrate this important anniversary, each month we will publish a post on special events that took place during the library's history. Look for March's post soon!

http://www.ala.org/ascla/archives/contentlistingby/volume29a/msaccreditation

http://www.sos.ms.gov/acproposed/00018075b.pdf