My Journey into Librarianship: Embracing Media, Community, and Discovery at MLC

Hi, I’m McKenzie Haggard, a recent graduate of Belhaven University, and currently serving as the Social Media Coordinator for MLC. Coming from a creative background, I’ve always known that I wanted to pursue a career in media. Whether it was writing, content creation, or social media management, I felt a strong pull toward the world of communication and storytelling. After graduating, I was eager to dive into my career and find a role that would help me hone my skills and bring my passions to life. That’s when I stumbled upon MLC.

Thankful for Libraries

We've rushed through the first months of the year at breakneck speed and now 2024's last days are dwindling away. With shorter, cooler days ahead and the holidays around the corner, it's the perfect time to focus on the important things in life, like the people we love and the things that bring us joy. While libraries might not necessarily be at the top of your "thankful for" list, they're wholesome, community-driven institutions that provide loads of enriching and educational services for nearly everyone. Back in 2013, a PEW report found that 94% of those polled believed that public libraries "improved the quality of life in a community". Moreover, 81% said that public libraries provided "many services people would have a hard time finding elsewhere". What's more to be grateful for? Check out what Mississippi Library Commission staff had to say below.

A Stack, an Omnibus, A Veritable Repository

What do you call a group of librarians? While there's no official name, a large congress of librarians descended on the town of Natchez last week for the annual Mississippi Library Association (MLA) conference. MLA was officially organized 115 years ago on October 29, 1909 and is even older than the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC). (FYI: MLC was created 17 years later in 1926.) You may be wondering what a collection of librarians does at a librarian conference. Shelve your thoughts of rooms of quiet readers shushing one another and let me share the highlights of last week's memorable meeting.

Support Your Library with a Snapshot!

Have you ever wondered what goes on at your local public library? Do you wish you could support them more, but just can't seem to find the time? Snapshot Day, a yearly celebration of the power of Mississippi libraries, is the perfect opportunity for you to explore.

Adventure Begins At Your Library

Welcome to a summer of fun at your local Mississippi public library! Mississippi participates in the annual Collaborative Summer Library Program, a national program that allows our libraries to pool their resources on a joint theme. It makes planning and implementing a summer of reading fun just that much easier. 2024's theme is "Adventure Begins at Your Library" and even though it's not officially summer yet (two days left!), this library celebration has already begun. Here are just a few of the amazing things going on at libraries across the state this summer, because if you haven't visited lately, you really oughtta.

Total Eclipse of the Sun

Hear ye, hear ye! There is a total solar eclipse happening on April 8th, 2024, the last total eclipse for 20 years. According to timeanddate.com, Jackson, Mississippi, will experience approximately 90% totality at 1:52 p.m. In celebration of this momentous occasion, I wanted to share what MLC has done to help public libraries, and therefore all Mississippians, enjoy this event. 

Read with MLC: Library eBooks

Elisabeth Scott
Reference Librarian 

While print still reigns supreme (75% of Americans read a print book in the past year), eBooks continue to soar in popularity (30% of us read an eBook in the last twelve months.) Libraries have been loaning out eBooks since the late 1990s, and even though they've had their challenges with publishers, eBooks and libraries are a match made in heaven. That's why we chose to designate October our #ReadWithMLC month to check out an eBook from your library.

Just how do you dive into the wealth of eBooks at your library? And what even qualifies as an eBook? It helps to know what you're looking for. Some librarians call anything that's electronic an eBook, bringing eAudiobooks, eComics, and eMagazines into the mix. Others are more fixed in their definition, only classifying text-based novels and nonfiction as eBooks. We tend to fall in the eEverything camp, so here are a few of the most popular eLenders Mississippi libraries use.

• hoopla digital
  This eBook lending platform is currently available at every public library in Mississippi. Make sure your library card is up to date; you'll need it to access the three titles available to you every month. Tip: hoopla has binge passes available each month. These passes let you access as much content of a certain type for a whole week. Current binge passes include classic funny papers, magazines, and an R.L. Stine spine chillers collection.
• Libby (Overdrive)
  If you've tried hoopla but need more books, check to see if your library has Libby. This app lets you place holds if the title is checked out, much like a real library. Many libraries across Mississippi give you access with your library card, including Jackson/Hinds, Madison County, and the entire Mississippi eBook Consortium. Tip: Libby lets you create notes and highlight favorite lines while you're reading so you'll be all ready for book club discussions.
• cloudLibrary (Bibliotheca)
  While currently only available at two library systems in Mississippi--Central Mississippi and Mid-Mississippi--that's nine counties that have access to these eResources. This service is very similar to hoopla and Libby. Tip: cloudLibrary users can borrow from other libraries. Just think of all those books!
• BARD
  BARD, or Braille and Audio Reading Download, is a specialty app that serves those who are unable to read standard print due to a visual, physical or organic reading disability. There's a huge selection of current and older literature, as well as children's books. Tip: If you own a braille eReader, you can download braille books from BARD directly to your device, just like with your Talking Books.
  
• MAGNOLIA and LearningExpress
  If you thought these two educational powerhouses were only for looking up articles and taking practice tests, think again! Scholarly books on a variety of subjects are waiting for you in MAGNOLIA, like Magill's Medical Guide and Salem Press Encyclopedia. Many of the topics covered on LearningExpress include an eBook or two on their subject, like ACT Power Practice and Algebra Success in 20 Minutes a Day. Tip: Everyone in Mississippi has access to these through their public library. You don't even need a card!
  

We've come a long way since eReading started skyrocketing twenty years ago, and we're convinced that they're only going to get more popular. If you need ideas for your next great eRead, fill out our quick and easy Bookmatch questionnaire and click the box to join in on the #ReadWithMLC fun. And hey, we're forever grateful that we're no longer trying to read eBooks on our flip phones, like some of the examples from this 2003 NBC clip.

You've Got a Friend...

Elisabeth Scott

Reference Librarian

Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, and the Friends of Libraries will be there to help! Carole King lyrics aside, we wanted to give Friends of Libraries groups across the state an effusive and grateful thank you this National Friends of Libraries Week. These groups are essential to the vitality and growth of libraries across Mississippi. Registered as charitable organizations with the Secretary of State's office, Friends groups do a lot of nitty-gritty work for libraries. They are heavily focused on fundraising, yes, but also on connecting the community with their local library through hands-on volunteer work. We encourage you to reach out to your local library to join their Friends group. If they don't have a Friends group, you might consider starting one for them. Work with your library and use the resources listed here to start a Friends group or help your current group grow.

If you're already involved and think your Friends group is amazing, you should nominate them for one of two annual awards given by the Friends of Mississippi Libraries yearly at the Mississippi Library Association annual conference. Nominations typically begin each August.

This year's winner of the Chapter One Award, given to a local Friends group for outstanding volunteer contributions in the area of service to libraries during the year, went to the Friends of Winona-Montgomery County Library and was accepted by president and former librarian Virginia “Bootsie” Weed. Under her leadership, the Winona-Montgomery Friends funded a wildly successful community gardening extravaganza led by Felder Rushing during this year's National Library Week. Aside from hosting this and many other author events for adults, the Winona-Montgomery Friends have also assisted with programs for children. The library's annual pajama party wouldn't have been the same without their gift and snack bags. This Friends group also supplied much-needed blinds for the library's meeting room, adding versatility and a new look for the space.

The winner of this year's Ruby Assaf Presidential Award, which honors an outstanding individual volunteer for a local Friends chapter, was Friends of Madison Library president Jean Garrett. She is an active patron of the Madison Library and frequently recruits new members for their Friends group. Also on the Board of Trustees, Garrett has driven the effort for exterior repair and cosmetic work at the library and has now turned her gaze to the interior of the building. She also led a grassroots effort to persuade the Mississippi legislature to leave access to public libraries unfettered.

Another great resource for Friends groups in Mississippi is the annual, competitive Margaret Murray Grant. This grant honors former MLC employee, Margaret Murray, who helped start over 100 local Friends groups in Mississippi. This grant is currently open and receiving applications. Funds awarded should be used to advance library programming and literacy at the Friends' library. The application deadline is February 29, 2024; grantees will be announced April 1, 2024. 

If you want to get more involved in the impact your public library has on its community, the Friends will be there, yes, they will. (Sadly, songwriter and singer extraordinaire Carole King will not actually be there.)

Librarianship 101: MLC's Annual Learn-How-To-Library Workshop

Elisabeth Scott

Reference Librarian/Literacy Projects Coordinator

Let's get ready to liiiiiiibrary! The Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) will welcome a new group of library paraprofessionals to our annual Librarianship 101 tomorrow, and we can't wait to get started helping them become the best librarians they can be. After all, a great librarian gives great library service!

 

This intensive three-day workshop, which is made possible in part by funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), brings library staff from across Mississippi to the state capital here in Jackson to learn more about libraries. That may sound simple, but the nearly thirty students in attendance will receive an overview of everything library. This includes:

• A rundown of core library services, such as reference interviews and practices, collection development, programming, cataloging, weeding, and readers' advisory
• An overview of outreach, which encompasses community partnerships, social media, and library marketing
• Mississippi-specific subjects, like local library law and MAGNOLIA databases
  
• A synopsis of MLC services, like Talking Book Services and Technology Services, and a Petting Zoo featuring MLC's special collection kits

Attendees will also learn the results of their Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) tests, a personality test that can be used to gain perspective on the ways people work together. Paired with the abundance of networking opportunities over the three-day period, this jam-packed workshop gifts participants with a life-long learning experience that will help them serve their home communities and meet their library needs. Even better, participants create and carry out a library project in their home libraries that gives back to their communities and helps Mississippians reach their full potential. 

Librarianship started back in 2004, and MLC staff are proud to say that we have helped train a generation of library paraprofessionals in our state. Many have gone on to pursue further education in the library field and moved up the library ladder into leadership roles. The annual Mississippi Library Association conference provides an opportunity for everyone to reconnect, a mini-Librarianship 101 reunion, if you will. This week will be the library experience of a lifetime for many of the people visiting Jackson in the upcoming days, so please wish them a good time and the best of luck!

WE-rate This Fantastic

Congratulations to Sharmaine Frazier, State E-rate Coordinator at the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC), who has been selected to join the national E-rate Task Force. "What is E-rate?," you ask. It's a gem of a national program that helps eligible schools and libraries afford high-speed internet and other telecommunication services. Amazing, right?

Sharmaine Frazier has been serving as the State E-rate Coordinator for the Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) since 2019. In her role, she works closely with Mississippi library directors to make the most of the E-rate program and reduce costs, thereby enabling communities to have access to broadband and connectivity. Sharmaine finds inspiration in Helen Keller's quote, "Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much," as it highlights the importance of collaboration. Every remote session that Sharmaine conducts with library directors is part of a team effort to ensure that all Mississippians have access to up-to-date technology resources through their libraries, which is one of MLC's core goals.

It's worth noting that there are eighty state E-rate coordinators across the country, like Sharmaine, in addition to school and tribal E-rate coordinators. 

The E-rate Task Force (ERTF) comprises 12 members representing various regions across the country. These members work directly with the Schools and Libraries Division (SLD) of the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Their primary objective is to enhance and streamline the existing operations and future development of the E-rate program.

Sharmaine says, "I am excited to work with libraries and to be a part of this task force that has big things planned for the future." If you have any questions about E-rate, you can head to MLC's website or contact Sharmaine directly at sfrazier@mlc.lib.ms.us.

PR Isn't Hard When You Have a Library Card

All Arthur references aside, we'd like to wish a huge congratulations to MLC's PR Coordinator Kristina Kelly!

Crochet All Day (Or Just an Hour)

Alex Brower

Information Services Director

MLC’s Craft Club had its inaugural meeting on February 15th, 2023. The purpose of the Craft Club is to try out potential kits and programs for public libraries and discuss what worked and what didn’t. For our first class, we watched “How to Work a Crochet Chain” by Edie Eckman on Creativebug. The program worked well and we discovered a few things that could be improved or adapted for future programs.

It only took 10 minutes to set up MLC’s main meeting room for the program. We used size 6 ergonomic crochet hooks and worsted-weight mini-skeins of yarn. I chose the smaller skeins of yarn because they are compact, easy to store, and less intimidating than the giant skeins. The attendees liked the smaller size; they said they appreciated the beginner-friendly supplies. Everyone got a skein of yarn and a hook. I laid these out at all the chairs so attendees could pick their seats based on which color of yarn they liked. You could purchase several of the same color yarn if you foresee an issue with multiple people wanting the same color or if you have a lot of leftover yarn. 

I planned on watching the chain stitch video for the first half of the club and following it up with a lesson on doing a single crochet by the same creator on Creativebug. However, we ended up only doing the first video, as we had some novice crocheters. We were able to take our time, play the video back, and allow for more experienced attendees to help others so everyone was able to get a row of chain stitches before the end of the class. I think taking it step by step and not doing too much made for a better program: there was lots of collaboration which made things fun and cozy. I highly recommend either becoming familiar with the stitches before putting on the program or having someone knowledgeable come in to troubleshoot. 

The Creativebug video was the main teaching tool that I used for our program and most of the participants found it helpful. It focuses on the presenter’s hands, which made it a lot easier to follow along and copy the movements. Videos that focus on people’s faces/fronts can be a little more difficult to follow along as you are doing their movements backward. There were a couple of lefties in the class (myself included) and the video only shows the right-handed method of crochet. It would be helpful to have a left-handed video available, like this one, so you may want to include it, too. Attendees also suggested having printouts of crochet instruction diagrams for those who learn better from seeing something on paper.

There were lots of great suggestions for adapting this program for a library or how to tie in other services with these kits as well. Making granny squares or scarves by going progressively through more difficult stitches and crochet skills would be an excellent long-range program where the patrons would have something to show off when they are done. A library could also have attendees make granny squares and then stitch them all together at the end for a library quilt. Libraries can also make a display of crochet instruction books or resources before the program; if there is a lot of interest in the program, it might help guide collection development. One area of the program that I would like to focus on for future clubs is accessibility. I didn’t think about attendees with physical disabilities that would affect their ability to participate. Having magnifying glasses or large-type instructions would make the program more accessible.

Cleaning up after the program was as quick and easy as setting it up. The participants put their yarn and crochet hooks back in a box, and since we didn’t cut any yarn, there wasn’t any mess to clean up. This was a very successful program and it fit well within an hour. I had lots of good feedback and MLC staff are excited for the next meeting!

One last thing: the Craft Club’s mascot was officially named! Mark Twine was voted in with a whopping 11 votes, followed closely by String Crosby with 8. Look how happy he is!

Welcome to National Library Week!

Elisabeth Scott
Reference and Social Media Librarian

Sunday kicked off the annual celebration of all the wonderful things that libraries do: National Library Week. Started back in 1958, the event encourages people to use their library and to read. These days, though, libraries do more than ever. Yes, they are still the perfect place to go to find a book, but now libraries offer a range of programs and items to check out far beyond the printed word. This year's theme is There's More to the Story, which focuses on all the stories libraries tell: stories from books, yes, but other stories, too.

Here in Mississippi, there are 230 public libraries divided between 53 systems. Some library systems are very small, like Long Beach Public Library, which serves one city of 3,400 on our Gulf Coast. Other library systems are quite large, like First Regional Library, which serves over 300,000 people in five counties. Big or small, our Mississippi libraries have a lot to offer! Here are a few things you may not know about your local public library:

• Your library has eBooks. EBook lenders vary from system to system, but most systems offer at least one of the many lending platforms, like Libby, hoopla, and the Palace Project. Ask at your local branch to see what's available.
   
• Your library brings in great people from the community. From visits by authors and musicians, to events led by astronauts and magicians, your library has a non-stop calendar of people to meet and learn from. Many libraries post about their upcoming programs on social media and their websites, so give them a follow online to stay abreast of their latest.
  
  
• Your library is a learning resource, even when you don't set foot inside. Many Mississippi libraries offer language learning apps, genealogy websites, and online classes to their patrons, in addition to websites that are available statewide, like LearningExpress Library, a tutorial and test prep resource, and MAGNOLIA, a database of articles and eBooks for research and learning. Check with your librarian to see what's on offer.
  
  
• Your library lends more than books. Check your library's catalog; you could walk out with anything from a laptop and Wi-Fi hotspot to seeds and a gardening kit. Some Mississippi libraries check out bicycles, cake pans, and art. The list is limitless, but you'll never know what's available until you ask.
  
  
• Your library has access to a huge number of kits provided by the Mississippi Library Commission. One of MLC's original tasks was to provide advice to public libraries. This original mandate has expanded to support public libraries in our goal to provide quality library services to all Mississippians. Offering StoryWalk kits, the Mobile Archive Project, Book Club in a Box kits, and STEM kits, is one way that we can ensure that everyone has access to new experiences and ideas.

We hope you head to your Mississippi public library this week (and the next, and the one after that) to see what all they have to offer. Need to get in touch with them? Check out our handy public library directory. And remember, there's more to the story than just books! (But books are pretty great, too.)

https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/library-development/statistics/

https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/national-library-week-history 

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!

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.

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.

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!

We Can Help With That

Alex Brower
Information Services Director

What do To Kill a Mockingbird, The Color Purple, and The Sun Also Rises have in common?

They’re all banned books! These classics have been banned, nearly banned, and everything in between for a variety of reasons, some of which you can read here.

On one side of those challenges there is always a librarian or teacher who was incorporating a novel into their collection or classroom. They had reasons behind choosing to add these books to their collection and teaching them to generations of students. When a book is chosen for a collection in a library or added to a school curriculum, there is typically a vetting process that involves reviews and research, as well as knowledge of a community. It is a deliberate and thoughtful decision. When a book is challenged or opposed, the librarian or teacher must defend their choice and dig up those reviews and articles and awards.

Or could someone else do the heavy lifting for them?

The Mississippi Library Commission is now offering a service for Mississippi teachers and libraries who face materials challenges or can feel one brewing and want to be prepared. We will do the research for you: finding awards lists, reviews, and articles that discuss the title in question so that you can more easily defend your collection and your community’s right to read. All you need to do is call our Reference Desk at 601-432-4492, text us at 601-208-0868, or email us at mlcref@mlc.lib.ms.us. We will compile the information that you need so you'll have more time for other thoughtful and deliberate decisions.

For other information about dealing with materials challenges, feel free to visit our Intellectual Freedom Resources page here. We hope that you will not need this service, but know that it will be invaluable if you do.

A Beginner's Guide to Manga: Single Volumes and Short Series

 

How much do you know about manga? Translated literally, ‘manga’ simply means comics. However, in America the term has come to be associated with black and white comics published in Japan, usually read in a right-to-left format.

Manga is popular. One-third of the entries on the New York Times Best-Selling Graphic Books and Manga list for May 2021 were manga. Demon Slayer: Infinity Train, a movie based off of the manga Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba, has grossed over $499 million dollars worldwide. Many American apparel and hobby stores sell figures, clothes, and other products featuring characters from manga. For millennials and Gen Xers, some of your favorite children's cartoons might be based off of a manga! Remember Yu-Gi-Oh, Dragonball, or Sailor Moon? All based off of manga. Manga also has a reputation for being long-running. Iconic series can (and often) run for over twenty volumes. Some series can run even longer: the pirate series One Piece has released 97 volumes in English, a number that puts prolific writers like John Grisham to shame. 

But while the sheer length of the most popular manga series can be intimidating, there are plenty of smaller series or stand-alone manga that would work wonderfully as an introduction to the form. This blog post will highlight manga series, all three or fewer volumes, that could be a wonderful starting point for your library's collection or just a good point for someone who doesn't know much about manga to learn about it. The works are divided into age-appropriate categories: all ages, young adult, and adult. 

As a note, the line between ‘young adult’ and ‘adult’ is often blurred in the manga world. Many of the adult titles would be suitable for teenage readers as well. I’ve decided to place them in the adult category due to some mature themes, graphic content, and language.  

All Ages 

Kingdom Hearts: Final Mix, by Shiro Amano. Two volumes. A young boy named Sora, a court wizard named Donald, and a captain of the guard named Goofy team up to find Sora’s missing friends as well as King Mickey, king of Disney Castle. This manga is based on the popular video game series that places classic Disney characters (such as Ariel, Donald Duck, Jiminy Cricket, etc.) in a fighting game setting. You’ll want to pay close attention to the title for this one: there are a LOT of manga with different titles in the Kingdom Hearts franchise. Ironically enough considering the title, Final Mix is the one you’ll want to start with: it is an adaptation of the first Kingdom Hearts game, with a few manga-exclusive bonus chapters as well. 

Little Witch Academia, by Yoh Yoshinari, Keisuke Sato, Studio TRIGGER. Three volumes. Atsuko “Akko” Kagari has been accepted to the prestigious Luna Nova Witchcraft Academy! But as the only student from a non-magical family, she’s got a lot of catching up to do, especially if she wants to get on the same level as her idol, a magical showman named Shiny Chariot. The series details Akko’s quest to learn magic and make friends, proving all her doubters wrong along the way.

Manga Classics: Anne of Green Gables, by L.M. Montgomery, Crystal Chan, and Kuma Chan. One volume. Manga purists may scoff at this entry as this is an adaptation of a Canadian book made by a non-Japanese company. But for those people new to manga, an adaptation of a familiar property might help ease them into the form's style. The story follows Anne, a bright and spirited young orphan girl, who's plucky presence impacts and changes the town of Green Gables. If Anne’s adventures aren’t to your taste, Manga Classics has also adapted other classic books and plays in a manga format, such as Hamlet, Les Miserables, and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.  

Swans in Space, by Lun Lun Yamamoto. Three volumes. Corona and Lan are new recruits to the Space Patrol, an agency dedicated to helping those across the galaxy. With their trusted instructor named Instructor, the girls are off to explore new planets! Swans in Space is a charming series, fit for those of all ages. And, most notably, the series is published in full color! (Most manga are published in black and white)  

Young Adult  

Giant Spider & Me: A Post-Apocalyptic Tale, by Kikori Morino. Three volumes A young girl named Nabi and her giant spider friend live together in the mountains, by themselves, after the apocalypse. This absolutely charming manga is one part slice-of-life, focusing on Nabi and her spider friend as they explore the world around them, and one part recipe blog, as the manga features detailed recipes for the meals that Nabi and the giant spider eat. It’s a remarkably charming manga despite it’s large arachnid protagonist.  

Go For It, Nakamura! by Syundei. One volume. Nakamura has fallen in love with his classmate, Hirose. There are just a few problems: Hirose doesn’t know Nakamura exists and Nakamura is way too shy to confess! This comedic manga is about a boy trying to confess his love to another boy and all the pitfalls that ensue. Don’t be put off if you see the term “boy’s love” being thrown around in reviews: that doesn’t mean it’s sexual! “Boy’s love” is simply the Japanese term for books that feature men falling in love with other men. Go For It, Nakamura! focuses more on the heart-stopping feelings of first love than anything more explicit.

Kageki Shojo!! The Curtain Rises, by Kumiki Saiki. One volume. Two girls join a prestigious all-girls theater school for two different reasons: the loud and brash Sarasa Watanabe dreams of playing her favorite roles on the stage and the quiet and reserved Ai Narata simply wants to live in a world where she doesn’t have to deal with men. The two girls might have different personalities, but they work towards the same goal: standing on the stage as stars. This series is the prequel to another series, just titled Kageki Shojo, and will be receiving a televised adaptation in the next few months!  

Magic Knight Rayearth, by CLAMP. Three volumes. Three girls are brought to the magical land of Cephiro and tasked with becoming Magic Knights to save the land’s princess. Stories of teenagers from our world being brought to fantasy worlds to save it via swords and sorcery are a very popular manga trend right now. Magic Knight Rayearth serves as a short yet solid introduction to the genre, with the bonus of some giant robot fights near the end. The series has a sequel series, also three volumes.  

Uzumaki, by Junji Ito. Three volumes collected in one book. Most of Junji Ito’s work would fit wonderfully for this entry: the man is a master of horror and has published many short manga and short story collections. But out of all of them, one of his best-known works is the chilling horror manga Uzumaki. The story focuses on Kurouzu-cho, a town obsessed with spirals, and the two teenagers who try to figure out the mystery behind it. Ito’s works are not for the faint of heart, and Uzumaki is no exception. It’s a delightfully dark and macabre mystery, with a new horror in almost every chapter.  

Adult 

All You Need is Kill, original story by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, Storyboards by Ryosuke Takeuchi, Original Illustrations by Yoshitoshi Abe, Art by Takeshi Obata. Two volumes. Each day, Keiji Kiriya dies on the battlefield only to be revived the next day to go off and fight again. This continues for ages until he gets a message from a mysterious female ally that might lead to his salvation. All You Need is Kill is a tight, dramatic action-packed manga, adapted from the novel of the same name. And if the premise sounds familiar, that’s because the series inspired the Tom Cruise film Edge of Tomorrow.  

Claudine, by Riyoko Ikeda. One volume. Claudine follows the titular Claudine, a trans man in early 20th century France. The story focuses on Claudine’s life, his pain, and the women he loves and loses along the way. Even though this is a manga from the 1970s, Ikeda's portrayal of Claudine is sympathetic and never transphobic—in fact, the psychiatrist that Claudine sees is accepting of his gender. As a note, Riyoko Ikeda is best known for an intense, soap opera style, of which Claudine is no exception. Ikeda’s style colors the entire work, making it delightfully dramatic.  

Devilman: The Classic Collection, by Go Nagai. Two volumes. Hordes of demons have descended upon the Earth! Mankind’s only hope is Fudo Akira, a soft-hearted crybaby who has been given the powers of a demon to fight back. With the powers of a devil but the soul of a man, Akira fights back the demons as Devilman. This is a collection of re-printed Devilman manga from the 1970s, given a new translation and lovely binding. Devilman is a horror manga is gritty, gross, and not for the faint of heart. It’s also an absolute classic. Go Nagai is a titan of the manga industry, and this is Nagai at his absolute best.  

Haru’s Curse, by Asuka Konishi. One volume. After her sister Haru dies, Natsumi agrees to date Haru’s fiancée, Togo. But as Natsumi and Togo try to make their relationship work, the memory of Haru looms over every interaction. Natsumi and Togo have to sort out their complicated feelings towards Haru and towards each other. Haru’s Curse is a dramatic yet sad story, touching on grief, familial love, and two people brought together by tragedy. If you want a page-turner of a manga, this is the one for you. 

Olympos, by Aki. One volume. This manga retells the Greek myth of Ganymede, a man so attractive the gods brought him up to Olympus. The story can get a little simple and a little philosophical at times, but the artwork more than makes up for it. Aki’s gorgeous artwork is easily the highlight of this book, which provides a sensual feast for the eyes. 

Of course, there’s more short manga than what I’ve listed! I’ll close this off with links to articles listing short series or single-volume manga.  

• A Beginner's Guide to Manga 2: Manga Fewer than 10 Volumes by the New York Public Library
• 12 Single Volume Manga For When You're Short on Time and Money by Bookriot