March Happenings at the Rez

Spring Greetings!

The winter months are finally over here at the Rez and the librarians are looking forward to the return of the warmer and longer days of spring. We hope that all of our patrons are ready for the fun and exciting events that we have planned at the Reservoir Library.

Read Across America

Come by the library Monday, March 2nd from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., for a special Read Across America story time as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Seuss. We will read some of our favorite Dr. Seuss books and have a birthday party!

Mile March Madness

Come to the library Thursday, March 27th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. to join us for our Mile March Madness. To celebrate the arrival of spring and our beautiful surroundings, we will be walking on the Reservoir Botanical Garden path during the noon hour. We will also have a special Mile March Madness drawing for a gift card.

Loose Knit Group

Are you a master knitter who is looking to pass on your knowledge to a new generation of knitters? Are you a beginner who is looking to learn from master knitters? Come by the Library every Tuesday during March from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All experience levels are welcome as we work on our own projects.

High Noon Book Club

Join us at the library Tuesday, March 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. as the High Noon Book Club has its March meeting. We will be reading the book An Irish Country Doctor by Patrick Taylor. All patrons are invited to bring a brown bag lunch and participate in the discussion.  Dessert will be provided.

Spring Break

March 9th through March 13th is Spring Break for our Rankin County students. Come by the Library to get your Spring Break Reads!


We hope that all of our patrons have a great and happy month of March! With the weather getting warmer and the days getting longer we hope that all of our patrons will come in and get some great books and movies as they get ready to enjoy the spring weather!

Displays Gone Wild at the Brandon Library!

It's Library Lover's Month at the Brandon Library, and we've gone all out on amazing titles just for you! First off, be sure to check out our BLIND DATE WITH A BOOK display, which you can see more of on Facebook here!

We're also celebrating Black History Month with some of our favorite inspirational quotes from black leaders across the globe, as well as incredible nonfiction about the African American journey, memoirs and biographies of black men and women, and fiction by black authors and/or featuring black protagonists!

This month is also featuring some super fun displays such as:

Cake pans, with accompanying books all about fancy cake techniques AND our catalog full of all of our available cake pans for checkout! We also took the opportunity to show off some pretty hilarious cake fails, so...have fun with that.

You Said Yes...Now What? featuring books all about weddings, decor, dresses, budgets, parties, presents, and more!

Ways to Love Yourself including titles on how to be stress-free, the secrets to happiness and contentment, and the art of achieving the life you want! This one includes hits like Sleep Rituals by Jennifer Williamson, Hygge: The Danish Art of Happiness by Marie Tourell Søderberg, and Year of Yes: How to Dance it Out, Stand in the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes! 

Look and Listen aka books based on some truly amazing podcasts and YouTube shows!

This display features titles based on the Adventure Zone podcast, the Lore podcast, Pod Save America, the Haunting of Sunshine Girl YouTube show, and more!

We've also begun leading into Women's History Month coming up in March with our triple display case, which is now featuring the Mississippi Department of Archives and History's traveling exhibit, Inspiring the Next Generation: Exceptional Mississippi Women.

MDAH says of this exhibit:

This exhibit focuses on thirty-two women who shaped Mississippi and the nation, divided into eight categories: artists, performers, civil rights, athletes, authors, suffrage, education, and government and law. The women featured in this exhibit include well-known individuals such as Fannie Lou Hamer and Leontyne Price in addition to influential, but lesser-known, women such as Burnita Shelton Matthews.

While some of these displays, like the one directly above, are sticking around for a bit, the rest of them won't be around forever. The titles are going fast, so come check them out today!

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day is rapidly approaching...again. It's not like I didn't notice this, but I've been kind of busy trying to get the library reopened due to a power outage while handling a few other matters.

Now that the library is back in business serving patrons and the local community, I want to remind you that Valentine's Day will be here before we know it. Are you ready? We get so wrapped up in our daily routines that we often forget birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine's Day and other special events.


For so many people, Valentine's Day is a special day to remind the one(s) you care for that you love them. 

We can usually express this affection with the following items:


    Roses. Can't go wrong with roses. Stick with red roses. It's easier.

    Chocolates. Any kind of chocolates will do as long as they come in a box.

    Valentine's Day card expressing your devotion for the one you love.

    Dinner reservations at a restaurant where the meal is prepared in front of you or brought to you by a waiter or waitress.

    Optional: A musical stuffed animal that lights up and sings "Doctor, doctor give me the news. I've got a bad case of loving you," by Robert Palmer.

For others, Valentine's Day takes on a more sinister meaning. For example, it's a day many people hope to finalize a divorce proceeding or take the first husband or wife back to court to see about getting that restraining order removed.

Needless to say, Valentine's Day is an annual tradition and a boost to the local merchants and the economy.

I don't pretend to understand the intricacies of modern relationships, and I don't pretend to be Arthur Herbert Fonzarelli or "The Fonz," but there is a little advice I would have wanted to give my 18-year-old self when I first entered the dating arena:

-Avoid life-draining or toxic relationships.

-It's always good to have a background check done on your friend or intimate acquaintance.

-When searching for a suitable companion, take a look at their political affiliation, religion, education level, cultural background, marital status and age.

-Also take a look at their addictions: smoking habits, drinking habits, illegal drug habits and gambling habits.

-Ask if they are family-oriented or career-oriented. You can learn a lot from this question. You can also save a lot of time and money and effort.

-Social skills, something I was very much lacking at the time, are essential and take years or decades, for some people to develop.

Have a Happy Valentine's Day!

Is Everyone In Scott County Related?

That's the BIG QUESTION the Scott County Genealogical and Historical Society endeavors to answer as its members launch an enterprising new project for 2020. The society is scheduled to meet Saturday, February 15, at 10:00 a.m. in the Forest Public Library conference room to begin building one big Scott County family tree.

With a 2018 U.S. Census population estimate of 28,287 residents and 10,435 households, how is it possible to produce one big family tree? The society is starting the process with the creation of a WikiTree - a free, accessible tree for county families. Next, family members are asked to contribute at least two names (self, spouse, parents, etc.) to the tree. The WikiTree then merges duplicates, creates branches, and displays names of people who are related.

"This sounds like so much fun," states society member Shawna Alexander, "but we have to generate interest and participation to build the tree. You don't have to be a professional genealogist or even a closet genealogist to participate; however, if you have compiled any family records, we invite you to attend the February meeting at the library. The public has access to the Sanders and Eady Genealogy Room and the Library Edition of Ancestry on the library computers. Once people start sharing their family surnames and the surnames of their parents or even grandparents, we will begin to fill in the Scott County families from A to Z. Then, the big tree branches will begin to grow and intertwine."

The society offers hints and tips for research to share family finds and get past brick walls. All the research is shared among the group. A single record might provide the one missing puzzle piece that breaks through the brick wall for someone else. Society member Patricia Hall is also excited about the one big family tree. "Anyone who is just beginning family tree research can get discouraged because until you go back a few generations, it's difficult to find information. No hits and no answers put up a brick wall, and people lose interest and excitement to dig deeper. Two heads are always better than one. One person can overlook something, and another person will have an open mind and spot it."

Even pictures can be part of the process. "One of our members brought a picture to one of the meetings. I looked at the picture and instantly knew that the lady was the sister to my second great grandmother because they looked so much alike. The brick wall came down because she shared a picture," Alexander stated. "I know that the more people who participate, the more the society can find those records that will motivate them to keep digging."

So...who is hiding among the branches in your tree? Is your family a branch of the one big Scott County tree? How is your branch connected to other family branches in the county? And could this be just the beginning of one big tree that connects us all.

If you know that your family surname is a branch of the Scott County family tree, please make plans to attend the meeting on Saturday, February 15. Unlike the natural branches of a tree, these branches grow stronger with more people.

The Temperature Outside May be Erractic, But...

the name of this long-time celebrated, Pearl Public Library program remains stable.

Come in From the Cold With a Good Book!

This festive event has proven to be a breeding ground for library lovers! LOL!

A February Library Lover's Month feature, for the whole family and all your friends, has held solid for years! Twelve in fact.

YES! You read that right! TWELVE YEARS!

The two-day - FREE - LOVE celebration, featuring yummy sweets and divine coffee, is Tues. Feb. 11 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Wed. Feb. 12 also from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Why is it such a successful program? Glad you asked?

Well, number one, local businesses that know how to show huge community spirit and library love, make amazing donations.

For starters, a rockin' coffee bar is provided by Community Coffee! Patrons absolutely LOVE this! All the favorites..regular, decaf and hold on now...PECAN PRALINE! ooooh-la-la! Condiments included. Yep. Sure are! 

Patrons equally LOVE the donuts and cookies that are donated by Dunkin Donuts, The Donut Factory, That Special Touch Cakes, Simply Southern Cafe and Grill of Flowood and Sam's Club of Pearl.

Don't miss out on this opportunity to stop by the Pearl Library and enjoy meeting and visiting with library staff and members of the Friends of the Pearl Library! And, remember. It's all FREE!

If you don't have a library card, this is a great time to get one! And, Come in From the Cold With a Good Book!

We'll see you there!

What Do You Do on a Rainy Day?

This week's forecast calls for rain, rain, and more rain. While temperatures will be nice, it will not be conducive to outdoor activities. So what's a person to do? Why, go to a library program of course, and this week the 20 libraries within the Central Mississippi Regional Library System have over 75 programs on the calendar.

Monday, February 10
9:30 AM - Mother Goose Lapsit
10:30 AM - Brandon Book Club
10:30 AM - Mother Goose Lapsit
10:30 AM - Preschool Story Time
10:30 AM - Toddler Time
12:00 PM - Classic Monday Movie Munch
1:00 PM - Baby & Me
1:00 PM - Polymer Clay Jewelry Class
3:00 PM - Valentine Make or Take Craft
3:30 PM - Magnolia Mondays
4:00 PM - Beading Class (4 o'clock)
4:00 PM - U Don't Know POOP! Tween Edition
4:30 PM - After School Story Time
5:00 PM - Hook Me Up!
5:00 PM - T2 (Teen Time): Come and Go Chocolate Tasting
5:30 PM - Teens: Love Stinks!
5:50 PM - ReFit with Beth
6:00 PM - Beading Class (6 o'clock)
6:00 PM - Dulcimer Group
6:00 PM - Family Story Time
Tuesday, February 11
9:00 AM - Come in from Out of the Cold with a Good Book
9:00 AM - Free Filing for Senior Adults
10:30 AM - Peek-a-Boo Babies
10:30 AM - Toddler Tuesday Story Time
11:00 AM - Preschool Story Time
12:30 PM - Books & Lunch Club
1:00 PM - Loose Knit
1:00 PM - The Makery
2:00 PM - 2-TUE-2 Book Club: Blind Date with a Book
3:00 PM - Adult Book Club
3:30 PM - Friends of the Library Monthly Meeting
3:30 PM - Kids' Hour
4:00 PM - DIY Valentine Cards
4:00 PM - Kid Connection
4:45 PM - Tween Book Club
5:00 PM - Valentine's Day Craft Night
6:00 PM - Chess Club for Tweens, Teens, and Adults
7:00 PM - Teens: Drown Your Love in Chocolate
Wednesday, February 12
9:00 AM - Come in from Out of the Cold with a Good Book
10:00 AM - Morning Book Club
10:30 AM - Preschool Story Time
10:30 AM - Preschool Story Time
10:30 AM - Preschool Story Time
10:30 AM - V V A Meeting
11:00 AM - Preschool Story Time
11:00 AM - Preschool Story Time
11:15 AM - Preschool Story Time
1:30 PM - Bridge
2:00 PM - Fraud and the Elderly: Are You Being Scammed?
3:00 PM - Valentine Make or Take Craft
3:30 PM - Totally Teens
4:00 PM - Pearl Peanuts After School
Thursday, February 13
10:00 AM - Medicare Education Seminar
10:00 AM - Preschool Story Time
10:30 AM - Preschool Story Time
10:30 AM - Preschool Story Time
11:00 AM - Beginning Genealogy Part 1
1:00 PM - BYOP-Bring Your Own Project
2:00 PM - Cover-to-Cover Book Club
3:00 PM - Lego Free Play
3:30 PM - After Schoolers
3:30 PM - Teen Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament
4:30 PM - Library Lovers Party
6:00 PM - Bingo for Books
6:00 PM - Creative Crafters
6:00 PM - Love Bites Anti-Valentine's Day Celebration
6:00 PM - Movie Night
6:00 PM - Tacos & Trivia
6:00 PM - Teen Night
Friday, February 14
9:00 AM - Valentines at the Library
10:00 AM - AARP Tax Aid
2:00 PM - Valentines Day and Library Lovers Month Reception
4:00 PM - Valentine Bingo
Saturday, February 15
9:00 AM - Flowood Walk in the Park
9:00 AM - What Is Falun Dafa Exercise?
9:30 AM - Masterpiece Morning
10:00 AM - Mississippi Writers Anonymous
10:00 AM - Warm Up and Wind Down
11:00 AM - Dungeons and Dragons Game Day
12:00 PM - Video Game Day

Want more information on a particular program? Click on the link below, find the program you're interested in, and click for details.

CMRLS February Events

Hope to see you at one of our wonderful programs this week.

Flowood Walk in the Park

Flowood Library is located next to Winner's Circle Park in Flowood, MS. The park is central to a number of community activities such as tennis courts, exercise stations, playgrounds, and picnic tables, and it has a 1/2 mile sidewalk encircling it. This park has a lot to offer and offers it for free. Not very many things in life are offered for free.

Flowood Library is scheduling a Walk in the Park on February 15, 2020 from 9:00-10:00 a.m. There will be an opportunity for participants to win one of three Walmart gift cards plus a free book from our book sale. Everyone will get some exercise whether a prize is won or not.

If you complete one lap around the 1/2 mile walking course (about 10 minutes), you will burn on average 50 calories. If you complete two laps for a total of 1 mile (about 20 minutes), you will burn 100 calories. If you go beyond 30 minutes, then you get into the fat burning zone. Reach 5 miles or 500 calories everyday for seven days and you will reach the equivalent of burning 3,500 calories or one pound in a week.

As I pursue a more in depth study into the field of calorie mathematics, we can walk as a group, make a few friends, and enjoy the day.

Sebastopol February 2020 Happenings

Preschool - 6th Grade

Valentine's Day Craft Night

Tuesday, February 11 at 5:00 p.m.

Join us as we make Valentine's Day themed crafts!

All Ages

Library Lover's Month Contest

All Month

Show your love for the library by checking out any book in the month of February. For every book you check out you get entered into a $25 gift card drawing!

Winter Crafters!

Tuesday, February 18 at 4:00 p.m.

It's winter! What better to do than some winter crafts in this cold weather? Join us every month of winter as we try out some amazing winter crafts!

Sebastopol Cook-Off

Tuesday, February 25 at 5:00 p.m.

Join us for our very first Cook-Off for all ages! Bring your favorite dish for our library patrons to sample. The person with the most votes will win a grand prize!

Please register by phone or email.

601-625-8826

Sebastop@cmrls.lib.ms.us

What's Love Got To Do With It?

HAHAHAHAHA!

I bet you thought I was going to break into verse didn't ya, throwing that Tina Turner snarl on you! 

Yeah. Come on now! You know you did!

Nooooooo! This is about LIBRARY LOVE! And, by the way... it is definitely something to sing about!  

At the Pearl Public Library LOVE has EVERYTHING to do with it!  Sure does!

February is National Library Lover's Month. So, what does that really mean? 

Glad you asked!

Even though we may not think about it, patrons really do appreciate libraries! They really do. It's a place, not only that houses a plethora of material that can be borrowed, but that has so many other wonderful uses. And, it's all FREE!

Read the daily paper or an assortment of magazines, use free wireless internet, wireless printing, research subjects for papers, surf the internet for jobs, conduct meetings, attend programs for all ages and so much more can be done right at the Pearl Library!

So, the month of February is designated as a time when patrons can show their library some love. Sometimes it's just expressing their appreciation or even volunteering at their local library.

Now, at the Pearl Library, we like to show the community just how much YOU mean to us! 

Thaaaaaaat's riiiiiight!  

If it weren't for you, there would be no need for us! Believe me. We get that. That's why we try to treat y'all reeeeeeeeeaaaaalll good!

So, we want to make you feel right at home when you come in, and provide the best service with a smile! 

Then there's this special time of year when the Pearl Library puts on a big, two-day celebration just for you!

Come by the Pearl Library for the 12th Annual Come in From the Cold With a Good Book - Library Lover's Month celebration on Tues. Feb. 11 and Wed. Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. both days! 

Free cookies, coffee and donuts -  all donated by local businesses - will be served up by library staffers and members of the Friends of the Pearl Library! 

Enjoy a cafe style, festive atmosphere! And, as it is really close to Valentine's Day,  why don't you make it a special date with a loved one? See. Now, that's a good idea!  And, did I mention it's all FREE? 

This program is so much fun, and quite the patron favorite!

There have been some really sweet moments during past Come in From the Cold With a Good Book programs. One special memory comes to mind. 

An eight-year-old boy was sitting with his uncle at a cafe table hungrily enjoying cookies. "I bet celebrities come in here," he said excitedly. "Look at this place! It's so romantic!" The uncle just smiled at him and nodded lovingly. The young lad went on enjoying the sweets and then blurted, "If Jesus was here I bet he would really like these cookies!"

What's LOVE got to do with it? EVERYTHING!

Always a great time! Don't miss out!

We'll see you there!

HAPPY LIBRARY LOVER'S MONTH FROM THE PEARL PUBLIC LIBRARY!

Notary Services License Renewed

Notary services have been available at the Flowood Library for over two years. This service is offered 9-5 p.m. Monday–Wednesday, and Friday; 12-8 p.m. on Thursday which are better than banker's hours. Additional times are available by appointment. The cost for the service is $3.00. I could probably charge more, especially for divorce cases, but $3.00 is just about right for this kind of service.

For four years I've been a public notary. I must confess I had no idea what I was getting into. It has been an experience unlike any other. I've notarized documents in a variety of legal categories. Just when I think I've seen it all, I find myself faced with a new problem or document I have not seen before. No formal certification is required in the State of Mississippi to be a notary. I would find myself receiving on the job training free of charge. 

Should we continue to offer notary services to our patrons and the community at the public library in the future? What can I say? There is a definite need for this kind of service and the investment in time, money and effort pays for itself within the first year.

Several months ago I submitted the paperwork to get my notary commission renewed. I also requested a few additional items, a few extra bells and whistles to enhance my understanding of the notary field. I wanted to know more than just the basics.

I recently received a new Notary Stamp, a Hand-Held Embossing Seal, and a Notary Plaque (to advertise my services). In the packet there was also an American Notary Study Course, a membership in the American Society of Notaries, and a certificate from the Notary Public Commission signed by the Governor of Mississippi.

All proceeds go to the Flowood Friends of the Library.

Each Year It's One Of The Inevitables!

You guessed it! 

TAXES!

As you think about acquiring tax forms, remember that the Pearl Public Library is there to fill your tax form needs. Well, at least for Federal Forms 1040 and 1040-SR right now; however, other types of Federal Forms will continue to arrive in batches. The library also has State Of Mississippi tax forms. 

Please feel free to stop in or call the Pearl Library at 601-932-2562. Helpful staffers will tell you exactly what forms are available at any given time.

Please remember one thing though. Library staffers are prohibited from answering any tax questions or giving tax advice. That means the staff cannot tell you what form you need to use, advise you on various deductions, etc.

But, do come by! The Pearl Library staff always LOVES serving their patrons!

That's right! LOVES!

We can prove it too!

How?  Glad you asked!

Coming up in just a couple of weeks, the Pearl Public Library, will shower their patrons with amazing LOVE! Been doing it for years!

And, Mmm mmm! How sweet it is!

February is Library Lover's Month. This month actually is for folks out there that like to show their library some appreciation and love!

But, hey! The Pearl Library likes to give that right back! And, in the yearly Library Lover's Month celebration called Come in From the Cold With a Good Book,  library staff and  Friends of the Pearl Library members serve up FREE donuts, cookies and coffee all donated by local businesses! This twelfth annual program will be held on Tues. Feb. 11 and Wed. Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. each day.

A huge thanks to Community Coffee, Sam's Club of Pearl, Dunkin Donuts, The Donut Factory, Walmart of Pearl, Simply Southern Cafe and Grill of Flowood and That Special Touch Cakes for their yearly support!

It's the Library's way of saying WE LOVE YOU!  They do ya know?

Come in From the Cold With a Good Book also serves as a Friends of the Pearl Library membership drive. New Friends’ memberships and donations will be accepted during the two-day event.

The Friends’ group supports the library by purchasing books and equipment and by sponsoring programs for all ages at the library. They would LOVE to have you be a part of the team!

Don't miss out!

We'll see you there!

Morton Happenings For February

The month of February is Library Lovers Month! Come check out your favorite Romantic movie or book. We would also love to know why you Love our Library. Come in and fill out a heart to decorate our windows. 

Our events for February are February 6 at 5 p.m. We will be having Valentine's Day Family Story Time! Come join us and listen to stories and make a cute craft. It is fun for the whole family.

February 13 at 3:30 p.m. We will be having a teen Yu-Gi-Oh Tournament! There will be no card trading. Just bring your cards to come and have a good time.

February 20. We will be having a Morton Library Cook-Off!

It is for the whole family, just bring your favorite dish or dessert and we will hand out tickets to all

the patrons that come in and they can sample the foods and pick which one they think is best. The person with the most tickets at the end of the day will win the GoldenWisk Award!  

Please contact me Kelly Brown for more details 601-732-6288. 

On February 27 at 5p.m., for K-6. We will be having a beginner How to Draw class.

Every Friday morning, 10 to 11:00 a.m., we have Adult Coffee. Please come join us. This is a good opportunity to get out of the house and have coffee and board games.

Brandon's Birds Get an Extreme Home Makeover!

Seven and a half years ago, branch manager Linda Wolfe, with the financial support of The Friends of the Brandon Public Library, established a bird feeding and nesting area outside the west windows of the children’s area. It turned a weedy patch of unused lawn into a lively area where over 50 species of birds could drink, bathe, eat, and feed their young. The nest boxes have housed over 50 Eastern Bluebirds, as well as Carolina wrens and even flying squirrels. A patron built a set of indoor steps where children and parents can observe the avian visitors with binoculars generously provided by Bass Pro Shop, and identify the birds using donated field guides and a completely illustrated binder of every species reported at the viewing area.

As Linda’s retirement at the end of March approaches, a group of local Master Gardeners, led by Chris Purser, have organized a plan to dramatically landscape the feeding and surrounding areas with a variety of native seed- and fruit-bearing flowers, shrubs, and trees to provide essential food, shelter, and nesting areas for the birds. The project should begin in February and be completed well before the spring nesting season, so keep checking on their progress. If you haven’t seen the birding area yet make a point of it on your next visit to the library.

Stop in to wish Linda Wolfe a happy retirement after 17 years at the Brandon Public Library and 9 years as manager. If you think, like the staff does, that she is the reason our branch is the best and most welcoming branch in the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, then let her know!

Feburary Happenings at the Rez

February Greetings!

We are well on our way to getting the New Year started as we enter the month of February! We have many fun programs planned at the Reservoir for this month. We hope that all of our patrons have had a great start to the year 2020 and are ready to get the next month started!

Valentines at the Library

Come by the library on Valentines Day for some Valentines Candy and share your love of the Library.

Library Lovers Month 

Stop by the library during the month of February for a special Library Lovers Month drawing! Come write down why you love your local library to enter to to win a secret prize!

ALA Youth Media Awards

Come by the library during the month of February to see our display of the 2019 ALA Youth Media Awards winners.



Blind Date with a Book

Come the Library from Monday, February 10th through Friday, February 14th for a special Blind Date with a Book event! Books will be wrapped up for you to take on a literary date! Remember no peaking!

Holiday Closure  
The library will be closed Monday, February 17th in observance of the Presidents Day Holiday.  We appreciate your patients and look forward to serving you when we reopen Tuesday, February 18th. 




High Noon Book Club

Join us at the library Thursday, February 20th from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. as the High Noon Book Club has its February meeting. We will be reading The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware.  All patrons are encouraged to bring a brown bag lunch or a desert. Desert will be provided by the Friends of the Library


Loose Knit

Are you a master knitter who is looking to pass on your knowledge to a new generation of knitters? Are you a beginner who is looking to learn from master knitters? Come by the Northwest Point Reservoir library every Tuesday from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.  All experience levels are welcome as we work on our own projects.

We have lots of fun and exciting events planned for the month of February! We hope that all of our patrons can attend our events and we also hope that they have a great winter.

Taxes, Tea, and Sensory!

Rather than spending hundreds of dollars this tax season, make an appointment to meet with a trained AARP Tax Aide volunteer at the Brandon Public Library.  Starting Tuesday, January 21, you can call 601-825-2672 to schedule an appointment to have your 2019 taxes prepared.  Tax preparation will begin Saturday, February 8, and occur each Friday, February 14 – April 10.  Remember, tax preparation is by appointment only, and there are a limited number of spots.  Don’t wait to get on the list!

Family Night is right around the corner!  Thursday, January 23, at 6:00 p.m., come and help us celebrate Lewis Carroll's birthday at our Mad Hatter Tea Party! Along with refreshments, we will have music, a craft, and games. Either dress as your favorite Alice in Wonderland character or just let your clothes go MAD!

Finally, come create with us at the Makery!  In this casual come-and-go setting, we provide space and supplies for a different making activity each week. On Tuesday, January 21 participants will create Sensory Bottles.  All ages welcome!

Third Thursday Always Entertaining at the Pearl Public Library.

You wanna know why?

Glad you asked!

Because it's MOVIE NIGHT, and Ben knows how to pick a big winner!

Third Thursday Flicks for January is Hoosiers showing Thurs. Jan. 16 at 5:45 p.m. on a big screen.  Enjoy light refreshments too!

In this 1986 movie Hoosiers, failed basketball Coach Norman Dale played by Gene Hackman finds himself in this tiny town of Hickory, Indiana and with a chance at redemption.  

Hoosiers is a great story about a high school basketball team's long-shot attempt to win the state championship. The film is inspired by the true story of the 1954 Indiana state champions, Milan High School.

Nominated for two Oscars Hoosiers, also starring famed actors Dennis Hopper and Barbara Hershey, was hailed as one of the best sports movies of all time.

Come on in and be totally entertained with this big winner!

While we are talking about winning, don't forget about the January How-To Tuesday on Tues. Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. You'll get a change to learn about the City of Pearl while playing Pearl-Opoly!

What a wonderful chance to just have some good ol' fun while visiting with friends!

OMG! Visiting with friends! That reminds me! 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

The Pearl Library's February Library Lover's Month star event is coming soon!  

The 12th Annual Come in From the Cold With a Good Book, a huge patron favorite - when the library serves up FREE coffee, cookies and donuts to their patrons - is Tues. Feb. 11 and Wed. Feb. 12 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. All the delicious goodies are donated by local businesses thanks to Community Coffee, Sam's Club of Pearl, Dunkin Donuts, The Donut Factory, Walmart of Pearl, Simply Southern Cafe and Grill of Flowood and That Special Touch Cakes.

WOW! Lot of great stuff going on at the Pearl Library! 

Do not miss out!

We'll see you there!

Welcome to the Makery at Brandon!

Here at the Brandon Library, we're heading into 2020 with a mind for making. Introducing THE MAKERY, a casual, come-and-go space for Makerspace activities every Tuesday from 1:00 pm -5:00 pm!

Project themes for January include fake snow/snowmen, sensory bottles, and free reign with our button maker.

What is a Makerspace, exactly? You've probably heard the term before even if you're not sure what it means. The dictionary defines it as, "a place in which people with shared interests, especially in computing or technology, can gather to work on projects while sharing ideas, equipment, and knowledge."

Sounds pretty cool, right? 

In honor of the roll-out of The Makery, we've also set up a whole new display full of books on Makerspace tools and projects. Learn about the history of Makerspaces and how to build one as well as ideas and projects for kids and adults! 

Be sure to check out our Makerspace board in front of the circulation desk for some awesome take-and-make projects, including moon sand, sci-fi goggles, rock candy, and about a billion different kinds of slime.

Upload them to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and use #CMRLSBrandon so we can see what you've made!

A Time of Reflection. A Time of Change. A Time of Growth.

Isn't that what the start of the new year is really all about? 

Of course!

The beauty of a new year is getting another chance to get it right! Right? Right!

So, uh, what ya got in mind? 

Is it to lose weight?
Exercise more?
Quit a bad, unhealthy habit? 
Drink more water?
Think good thoughts?
Learn to be at peace?
Stop worrying?
Read more?
Socialize more?
Build stronger relationships with others?
Build a stronger relationship with yourself?
Make more friends?
Be kinder?
Learn how to cook or bake great dishes?
Work more?
Work less?
Save money?
Spend money?...probably not LOL!

Remember you can always come to the Pearl Public Library and check out material that can help you accomplish any of the above mentioned goals and many others! That's right!

The library has tons of books on diets and healthful cooking, health, fitness, finance, inspiration and so much more. And, don't forget that the library offers a nice variety of FIT KITS available for check out. 

Yeah! Get that workout started!

Hey, the library staff would love to hear what your New Year's resolution is. Stop by during the month of January and share your dream for the NEW YEAR! NEW YOU!

We'll see you there!

January Happenings at the Rez

New Years Greetings from the Rez!

Happy New Year to all our patrons from the librarians at the Northwest Point Reservoir Library! We are so excited to welcome in a new year of reading and using the many resources that the library has to offer. We hope that all our patrons have had a safe and happy holiday season and are ready to have another exciting year!


Winter Reading Challenge 

Join us on the Beanstack app for a special program during January! When you register with the Beanstack app your fines are forgiven and you can read to enter a chance to win a $50 Walmart gift card.  

New Year’s Resolution Drawing

Happy New Year! Time for new beginnings, new challenges and the library’s annual New Year’s Resolution Drawing! Come by the library from January 1^st through 31st to write down your New Year’s Resolutions to enter a drawing for a gift card.

Mugshots Family Trivia

Are you a trivia master looking for their next exciting game? Are you new to trivia and looking to get more involved? Come to Mugshots in Flowood Tuesday, January 21^st from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., for another exciting game of family friendly trivia! The winners will receive gift cards courtesy of Mugshots of Flowood and Friends of the Reservoir Library. We regret to inform our loyal trivia patrons that, after January, we will be taking some time off from Mugshots Trivia for a few months to revamp the program. We want to thank Mugshots of Flowood and all our loyal patrons for their support. We hope to see you back soon for more exciting trivia!

High Noon Book Club

Join us at the Thursday, January 16^th, from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m., as the High Noon Book Club has its first meeting of the year 2020! We will start the New Year off right with an uplifting story of remembering past good times and looking forward to a new year of new beginnings was we read The New Year’s Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini. All patrons are welcome to attend and encouraged to bring their own lunch and dessert if they wish. A dessert will be provided.

 Closures

CMRLS Libraries will be closed in observance of the New Year’s Holiday. Regular Library Hours will resume on Thursday, January 2, 2020.

CMRLS Libraries will be closed in observance of the birthdays of Martin Luther King Jr and Robert E Lee Monday, January 20^th. Regular library hours will resume on Tuesday January 21^st.

Loose Knit

 Are you a master knitter who is looking to pass on your knowledge to a new generation of knitters? Are you a beginner who is looking to learn more about knitting? Come to the library every Tuesday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. All experience levels are welcome as we work on our own projects

We hope that all our patrons are ready to get this new year started and ready for the fun and new events that we have planned at the library this year. 

The New Year at the Brandon Library

It is now a new year and the Brandon Library is ready with some fun programs for all ages! Come in to get our new January calendars or go to http://cmrls.evanced.info/signup/Calendar to see all of our programs. 

There are two new programs that we added to our roster! Every Tuesday from 1-5 we have The Makery for all ages. We will provide a space and supplies for a different making activity each week. It is a casual come and go program.

We have incorporated our Coding Club with STEAM+. This program is on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of every month. Ages 9-12 at 4 pm and ages 13-18 at 5pm. Space is limited so sign up now!

We have recently acquired a new addition to our library family in the form of a new pet! It’ll be in a different spot around the library every day. Come in, say hi, and give us a suggestion for our pet's name!

The new story on the story walk in the park is up so go check it out!  Since Mississippi does not get much snow (if any at all) we thought you might like to at least read about it.