Pelahatchie Public Library - A Little Bit Truth, A Little Bit Tale

The definition of folk tale is “a story originating in popular culture, typically passed on by word of mouth.” Part of the history of libraries in Pelahatchie could be defined as a folk tale, because this writer was unable to find much irrefutable evidence but quite a bit of “this is what I remember” from local town residents.

What is known for sure is the library has been a part of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System since its inception in 1986. At that time, the library was located in town in a small building off Highway 80. On January 14, 1991, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for a new 1,600-square-foot building to be located on Highway 80 (where the Masonic Lodge is today). This project was a joint venture of the Rankin County Board of Supervisors and the Town of Pelahatchie. The library remained in this location until moved to its current location in 2009. In 2009, the town added on to an existing community center to establish a new library facility in Muscadine Park. The new library was larger and included a meeting room allowing for larger program attendance. It opened on February 13, 2009, the same date the town museum opened and the Mississippi Blues Marker tribute for Rubin Lacy was revealed. Recently, the Town of Pelahatchie updated the library facilities by installing new signage and replacing the carpet in the main area with laminate flooring.

Prior to 1986 is the start of our folklore. Patrons tell me in the 1940s books could be borrowed in the rear of a local merchant’s store. Memories include a bookmobile that stopped in town on a regular basis. At some point, a small library might have been established on Rankin County school property, but there was an issue with flooding so it was moved into town. The town has had a number of librarians through the years. One gentleman mentions Marjorie Murray, who he remembers from when he was a child in the early 1950s. He tells me she was the town librarian and her husband worked at the railroad depot. They both walked to work each morning.   Altus Rhodes was the librarian at the time of the 1991 groundbreaking, and Janice Gailey was the librarian when the current facility was under construction.

Several months ago, a picture appeared on social media that showed the front of the post office here in Pelahatchie from around 1940. In the photograph, Pelahatchie was spelled Pelahatchee. It sure started some conversations around town about when and why the spelling of the town’s name changed. When you have a reference question, where do you go? To the library, of course. After researching old newspapers, interviewing senior citizens in the area, and searching resources online, we never did discover exactly why the town name's spelling was changed. We did find that from 1859 through 1890, the post office was Pelahatchee Depot; from 1890 through 1950, it was Pelahatchee; and on December 1, 1950, the spelling was changed to Pelahatchie.

From the history of the local library to the spelling of the town’s name, two somewhat inconsequential events in the grand scheme of things, it has become apparent to me how important it is for us to document our history. You just never know when someone will want to discover more. Let’s leave it for them to find.                                              

 

Consider an Author's Debut

When CMRLS staff order new materials for our libraries, you may think it is a simple activity; however, you would be mistaken. Speaking from almost 20 years of personal experience, it is an often stressful yet always fun activity. Some months it is easy to spend your budget, even exceed your budget, so you must cull through the selections and trim the order. Other months it takes a lot of research to complete the acquisition process. When preparing an order, there are many things to consider. Using myself as an example, many of the patrons that utilize my branch read thrillers, psychological, mystery, and romance fiction; however, it is my responsibility to have a diverse collection so I must also order fantasy, science fiction, western, etc., genres. It is easy to add best sellers and well-known authors to the list, but when I look at debut authors or authors unknown to me, it is necessary to research, read the reviews, and look at other information available.

Recently, I ordered a debut author’s title, The Sweet Taste of Muscadines by Pamela Terry. I read the reviews, looked at the cover and decided to give it a try. The final decision for pushing the order button, however, was the fact that the word muscadine was in the title. The branch where I work has hosted a Muscadine Jubilee for years, so I suppose my decision was based somewhat on non-professional reasons. The book arrived and went into the area for new fiction. It was checked out several times and two different patrons mentioned to me that I needed to read this book. (As an aside, despite popular misconceptions, librarians do not sit around and read all day.) Given the recommendations, I checked out the book and started reading.

Sometimes I read debut titles and they are wonderful; other times, let’s face it, there are some duds out there. Or maybe I should say, not every book is for every reader. The Sweet Taste of Muscadines was an awesome read. Lila and her brother, Henry, return to their southern home when their elderly mother dies unexpectedly. In the book, Lila reflects on funerals, thinking they are “a time not only of great emotion, which is at least expected, but also of enormous tension and even, occasionally, uncomfortable revelation. Secrets are spilled at southern funerals.” And then she proceeds to share some of those revelations she is aware of. “Peter Wood asked his wife for a divorce at his father’s funeral, and right before they lowered Sonny Culpepper’s mother into the ground, his Aunt Lois told him she was not really his aunt but was in fact his sister.” When Lila and Henry arrive home to plan their mother’s funeral with their sister, Abigail, nothing goes as expected and a secret is revealed that changes their entire family history. A secret that sends Lila and Henry on a journey pursuing the truth. I highly recommend this book. It will make you laugh; it will make you cry; it will leave you impacted by its story. I already have a note in my file to keep a watch out for her second book which the back cover informs she is currently writing.

Let me encourage you to seek out first books. Look in the stacks for them. Just because a book is not on a best seller list or by a best-selling author does not mean it is not worth reading. You might discover an author’s once-in-a-lifetime treasure or start a journey with an author that will produce many more delightful stories. Remember Delia Owens whose debut novel Where the Crawdads Sing was on the New York Times best seller list for a total of 124 weeks? Or John Grisham whose debut novel A Time to Kill did not become well known until his second novel The Firm became a best seller? As for The Sweet Taste of Muscadines, you may request your copy by clicking the link below. Let us know if you discover some treasures.

Request a copy.

                                                                   

Who Do We Honor and When?

When it comes to honoring our military, past and present, it can get confusing. Today we celebrate Memorial Day which, for many, signals the start of summer. Though it may be the start of the summer season for many of us, this day is meant to honor those men and women that served in our military and made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in defense of our country.

Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day and was started in the late 1860s as a nationwide day of remembrance for the many soldiers that lost their lives during the Civil War. As America became involved in other wars: World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, the day evolved into a holiday to commemorate American military personnel who died in all wars. For decades, the holiday was May 30, but in 1968 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act which established Memorial Day as the last Monday in May in order to create a three-day weekend for Federal employees. This change went into effect in 1971, and since that time, Memorial Day has been set as the last Monday of May.

So now we know, Memorial Day is not to honor existing military personnel or to honor individuals that previously served in the military but to REMEMBER THE FALLEN, those brave men and women that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. If you wish to celebrate someone currently serving in one of the five military branches, National Armed Forces Day is the third Saturday in May. To honor military veterans, Veterans Day is November 11.

As we participate in picnics, reunions, etc., this weekend, let us remember that many have given their lives for the freedom we enjoy.

Today's Mississippi Authors - A Diverse Group

Most of us have no problem recalling a few Mississippi authors: John Grisham, Greg Iles, Nevada Barr, just to name a few that are still supplying us with stories today.  Today we will dig a little deeper and highlight a few authors that have published books in the last year. Some of these titles were written by people from Mississippi and a few are Mississippi transplants - not originally from Mississippi but currently living here. Perhaps you will be intrigued and request one of these titles to read. 

An award-winning investigative journalist recounts the 1964 “Mississippi Burning” murders of three civil rights workers by the KKK, describing his role in reopening the case and bringing its mastermind and participating Klansmen to justice.

Request Race Against Time.

An engaging portrait of Natchez, Mississippi traces its rich cultural heritage and remarkable contradictions, sharing the stories of history-shaping locals, from FBI informant and brothel madam Nellie Jackson to enslaved West African prince Abd al Rahman Ibrahima.

Request The Deepest South of All

Angie Thomas's newest novel will be available for request very soon. This book is set 17 years prior to the events in The Hate U Give.

Critically acclaimed novelist Michael Farris Smith pulls Nick Carraway out of the shadows and into the spotlight in this fascinating look into his life before Gatsby.

Request Nick: A Novel

Southern PI Sarah Booth Delaney and her friends find their Christmas cheer turning to fear when strange accidents befall them during holiday festivities and are determined to catch the wrong-doers, who deserve nothing but coal in their stockings this year.

Request A Garland of Bones

Quinn Colson is about to find out whether his quest for justice can co-exist with his loyalty to the law.

Request The Revelators

The above books are just a sampling of the fine offerings from Mississippi authors. For more recommendations, visit your local CMRLS branch and allow your librarian to help you find other selections. 

Escape through Time

If there has ever been a time in my life where I wanted to escape the reality of today, it has been 2020. Seems like just as soon as I have adjusted to one thing and think, “Nothing else can happen,” something “else” comes along. One of my top methods of escape is reading and nothing breaks me out more quickly than a time travel novel. For many years, it has been a favorite subject of mine. My all-time favorite time travel novel is Jack Finney’s 1970 illustrated novel, Time and Again. If you are a time travel fan and have not read this book, I would highly recommend giving it a try. Finney followed up with From Time to Time in 1995, and while it is a good read, it does not surpass Time and Again in my opinion.

Time travel novels cover a wide range of storylines. Some are alternate histories like Stephen King’s novel, 11/22/63. There are mysteries, romance, historical fiction – there is a time travel novel out there for almost every genre. Even James Lee Burke has a hint of time travel in his newest novel, A Private Cathedral. There are many fans of Diane Gabaldon’s time-traveling series, better known as Outlander. If you are awaiting the next installment, perhaps you missed the 2017 Seven Stones to Stand or Fall, which is a collection of Outlander fiction. A personal recommendation: If you like the Outlander series, try The Scribe of Siena by Melodie Winawer. It is a novel about a neurosurgeon that time travels to Italy in 1347 during the time of the plague. 

Looking for something new to read that is different from your normal selection? Already a fan of time travel novels but do not know how to find another one? Click on the link below to our card catalog that lists 235 novels of time travel fiction. And if you happen to pick Jack Finney’s Time and Again, check back with me after you are finished. My sister and I always disagreed about the ending. You will know what I mean if you read the book. Happy reading!

CMRLS Adult Time Travel Fiction

Hope in Uncertain Times

In all my life, I have never had a personal experience with suicide…until last week. A dear patron that was a frequent visitor at my branch committed suicide. After the initial shock, I reflected on the two times I had interacted with the patron in the previous week. Should I have noticed something different? But reflection offered no clarity. The two times were like the hundreds of times before over the last 10 years, nothing out of the ordinary. It got me to thinking about how we keep our deepest thoughts and feelings buried many times and do not seek help or advice when we are in a not-so-good period of life, many times painting a perfect picture to the world and our friends.

The last five months have been tough on us all. It is not surprising that many are concerned. There has always been uncertainty, but it seems like today there is more uncertainty than most of us have ever experienced in our lifetime. Normally, we post to our blog about novels or events or other entertaining items, but today I want you to know we have resources if you are struggling in any way. Before I began writing this, I searched our card catalog and Freading for books we have available. An obvious subject search is “depression” or "grief," but I also found a tremendous number of resources by putting “hope” and “happiness” in the subject search. In Freading, I found by putting “hope” in the search box, it was possible to narrow the results by clicking on “self-help” or “health & fitness” to filter the results. There are a wide variety of printed resources available through our library system.

To those struggling, talk about it with someone. Sometimes just vocalizing our thoughts to someone helps, and we may find our struggle is their struggle, too. To those that know someone struggling, listen and be patient; don’t judge, criticize, or minimize their pain.

The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline has some excellent information. Below is a link to an article on their website about emotional well-being during the COVID-19 crisis. There is information about coping during community unrest, depression, and numerous other topics.

Supporting Your Emotional Well-Being During the COVIID-19 Outbreak

We are not alone. We are all in this together. Let’s help each other. I will remain HOPEFUL.

 

A Little Help with What to Read Next

Does your local librarian come to your aid when you are looking for something new to read? We always try. Sometimes, however, even the experts need a little help. "I like Danielle Steel and want a book like hers" or "I just finished all of Stuart Woods' novels and need another author" are fairly easy requests to fill, but sometimes things are a bit more complex. Where is a librarian to turn when they need help with recommending a next read? Often we turn to NoveList Plus. This digital resource provides multiple ways to find recommendations for your next book. And with your CMRLS library card, it is a free service for our patrons.

Recently, a patron read Lisa Wingate's best selling novel, Before We Were Yours, and raved about how much she enjoyed the book. Of course, she went straight to Lisa Wingate's novels on our shelf and checked out a few others. It wasn't long before she returned to bring back the novels, disappointed that they were not to her liking. Enter NoveList Plus where we were able to access a list of books that were read-alikes for the book Before We Were Yours.  With this information, we were able to pull novels for the patron that were what she was seeking to read.

To access NoveList Plus, click on the Digital Library tab on our web page and select Virtual Reference Collection. We have many excellent digital resources available that may be accessed through the Virtual Reference Collection page. If you click to access NoveList Plus, you will be prompted to input your CMRLS library card number.  Simple searches are easy to do if you are familiar with navigating on the Internet. NoveList Plus is linked with our card catalog so you can elect to place a hold on an item when you locate what you want to read. For more complicated searches, you may contact your local branch for assistance or there are YouTube videos from EBSCO that may assist you as well. Simply enter "NoveList" into the YouTube search bar to see what videos are available.

Another help feature for locating a book can be accessed by clicking on the Explore tab on our web page, The librarians at Mississippi Library Commission will recommend titles for you if you answer a few questions. Click on BookMatch to try this service. You will notice you may also access NoveList through the Explore tab. The Explore section of our website is full of reader's advisory help. NextReads and GoodReads are a few other digital resources for book recommendations. And if you are forever forgetting what books you have read, check out Beanstack. With this app, you can participate in reading challenges, log the books you read, and even write book reviews.

Happy reading!

Read Outside Your Comfort Zone

Why do you read? For companionship? for inspiration? to stimulate your imagination? for growth? We all have different reasons why we read. Some enjoy one specific genre: romance, suspense, fantasy, self-help; others thrive on variety. One might prefer first person narratives while others like to get into the minds of all the characters. Some visualize the characters and setting; others do not. We are quite a kaleidoscope when it comes down to our individual preferences.

Let me ask you this: Do you ever read with diversity in mind? Diversity, for most of us, brings to mind different races but that is just a part of diversity. Diversity can be a different culture, a different lifestyle, a different religion, etc. Reading a novel about New York City is diversity if you live in small-town America, because everyday life can be quite different for a big-city dweller versus one in a small town. Picking up a novel with characters of another race is diversity. Some books are culturally generic. They might have a cast of diverse characters, but the plot does not differ regardless of who the characters may be. Other books are culturally specific and the plot reflects diversity.

It is a challenge to me at times to read a culturally specific book because I don’t see myself in the story; however, I read on outside my comfort zone because I know these books expose me to a larger world and open my mind. I see that people that are different than me have many of the same thoughts and feelings I do but also it fosters understanding for our differences.  For this reason, I push on and try new titles. In the past few years, reading The Hate U Give provided many insights into concerns African American mothers have for their teenage sons that I never had for my two boys when they were teens and Every Falling Star opened my heart to the plight of the average citizen in North Korea. Recently, I watched a TED Talk entitled “The Danger of a Single Story.” The speech by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie is less than 20 minutes and I would encourage you to watch it if you are on the fence about diversity in literature.

The Danger of a Single Story

Give it a try. Find a novel by a foreign author or with a plot that is different than your world. Encourage your children to read about different cultures and races. Acceptance comes with understanding and what a better place we would live in if we viewed our differences with an open mind.

Looking for your next read...

I am always trying to read a wide assortment of authors and genres because I enjoy a wide variety but also to assist patrons that are looking for a new book or author. Recently, it was a pleasure to read these three books. If you are looking for something new, I would recommend any of the three. The first two titles are actually first novels, and I will look forward to future books by these authors.

As I read Theme Music by T. Marie Vandelly, my mind kept trying to decide if this was a horror story, psychological thriller, or a mystery. It definitely kept me thinking and engaged until the very end.

Twenty-five years ago, William Wheeler murdered his wife and three sons with an axe, then slit his own throat, leaving baby Dixie alive in their home. Dixie's childhood home comes up for sale, and Dixie impetuously moves in, furnishing the house with the original furniture that had been in storage since the tragedy. Dixie locates the police file on the murders and connects with the retired detective that investigated. Strange things start to happen; people begin to disappear. The many twists and turns will keep you turning the pages until late at night. Keep the lights on though.

Request a copy of Theme Music from CMRLS catalog.

Escape rooms are all the rage these days.  Normally, a group is given a mission then placed in a themed room to locate clues that will free them from the room. In The Escape Room by Megan Goldin, the escape room is an elevator inside a multi-story building where construction is complete but no tenants occupy the building. The participants, four coworkers at the top of their game in an investment banking company, receive a text to attend a team-building exercise at the location and find themselves locked in an elevator. They must put aside their differences and work together to solve the clues that will lead to their release...hopefully. These four have committed ruthless, unspeakable deeds to get where they are today, and these deeds are revealed as the game progresses. The question is not how will they get out of this elevator, but will anyone get out alive. This psychological thriller is a page turner.

Request a copy of The Escape Room from CMRLS catalog.

If you enjoy Jodi Picoult novels or time travel fiction, The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain will be a novel you do not want to miss.

Carly Sears is a young, expectant mother in 1970. Recently widowed, her husband was a casualty of the war in Vietnam. Now she finds that the baby she is expecting has a serious heart defect and will likely die shortly after birth. She discovers how far she will go to save her unborn daughter when her brother-in-law, a physicist with an obscure past, tells her there might be a way to save her baby. She must trust in the unbelievable and take a leap of faith to pursue her dream of having a healthy child.

Request a copy of The Dream Daughter from CMRLS catalog.

National Library Week - a Long-Standing Tradition

“In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the ALA and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious.  They ranged from ‘encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time’ to ‘improving incomes and health' and 'developing strong and happy family life.’

“In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme ‘Wake Up and Read!’

“National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the ALA Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship.”

Copied from American Library Association’s website (www.ala.org National Library Week History).

If Americans were reading less in the 1950s, imagine how much less it is today with the addition of all these electronics we can’t seem to live without.  Reading is still, however, very important and while it has been shown that watching TV is a passive brain activity, reading is definitely not passive. It engages our brain and according to Psychology Today, reading fiction has “the power to reshape your brain and improve theory of mind.”

Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) always offers a variety of programs and National Library Week is no exception.  This year there are four programming opportunities that we just cannot publicize enough.

Scott County Reads: Mississippi Author Michael Farris Smith

Forest Public Library

Tuesday, April 9, 6:00 p.m.

The Forest Public Library is hosting the Second Annual County-Wide Event for National Library Week with an author appearance by Mississippi's own Michael Farris Smith. He will be talking about his latest book and signing books, such as The Fighter. If you haven't read one of his books yet, find one at your local library and check one out! His writing is critically acclaimed by reviewers and readers across the nation!

Brought to you by the CMRLS Scott County branches: Forest, Morton, Lake, and Sebastopol.

Simpson County Afternoon with Mississippi Authors

Mendenhall Public Library

Wednesday, April 10, 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Mendenhall Public Library is hosting over 20 Mississippi authors that will be available for you to meet.  There will be a wide variety of genres represented, including a few children’s book authors.  The authors will have books available for sale and will happily autograph your purchases. 

Brought to you by the CMRLS Simpson County branches: Magee, Mendenhall, and Harrisville.

Central Comic Con

Pearl Public Library

Saturday, April 13, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

It's the first annual Central Comic Con, hosted at Pearl Public Library, and you're invited to wear your best costume and enjoy all the fun! Local artists, authors, and vendors will be on site, as well as all of your Rankin County libraries hosting some fun events, including video game tournaments, board game tournaments, a video game trailer, mini golf, crafts for kids, and drawing/art workshops. Get here early to enjoy the fun all day long! Food and beverages will be for sale from 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Brought to you by the CMRLS Rankin County branches: Brandon, Flowood, Florence, Pearl, Pelahatchie, Puckett, Reservoir, Richland, and Sandhill and the Friends of Rankin County libraries.

The Six Word Story

Raleigh, Taylorsville, and Mize Public Libraries

April 8 – April 13

Patrons are encouraged to write a six-word story. This event stems from the story of Ernest Hemingway winning a bet that he could write a short story only six words long. His story had a beginning, a middle, and an end. The story is, “For sale. Baby shoes. Never worn.” We are inviting all our patrons to come in and use their writing skills to write their own six-word story. This event will run April 8^th through April 13^th with the winner announced on Monday, April 15^th. A $25 gift card will be awarded to the winner.

Brought to you by the CMRLS Smith County branches: Raleigh, Mize, and Taylorsville.

Four events we would like to invite the public to participate.  There are many more programming opportunities during the week of April 7. Click on the link below to explore other programs planned during National Library Week.

CMRLS Event Calendar