Library Services Update

May 12, 2020

Dear Valued Library Patron

On behalf of our entire family of libraries, we want to thank you for your support during the past couple of months. While our doors were physically closed to you, our Central Mississippi Regional Library System Board of Trustees and Library Team was committed to providing digital services which included access to eBooks, Databases, eContent, free WiFi at all branches. We are grateful that you have continued to support us from a distance. Because of your support, we have been able to promote safety for our communities and our library team. We sincerely appreciate your vast loyalty and look forward to having you visit our libraries again soon.

From the beginning of the pandemic, we have continued to prioritize the health and well-being of our library team members and library patrons. As we enter phased reopening plans in our branches, we want to inform you of the practices and safety protocols we are following to ensure our libraries remain a safe place to work and provide library services. Below is a list of policies and operations that our libraries will be following, along with estimated dates of when each location plans to reopen.

We kindly ask that you refrain from visiting our libraries if you have any symptoms (coughing, shortness of breath, sore throat, vomiting or diarrhea), if you have had a fever of 100.4 in the past 48hrs, or if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case of COVID19. Additionally, we request your participation in our social distancing practices to safeguard our CMRLS team and patrons. Thank you for your assistance in this matter!

• Libraries will follow all local guidelines to open at specified capacity rates.
• In-person library programming, such as but not limited to story times and book clubs, will not be offered until further notice.
• The Library Team Member is required to undergo a series of health screening questions before entering the building. Those showing any signs of symptoms or fever are prohibited from entering the library.
• Study tables and computer stations are seated at least 6ft apart from one another.
• Availability of computers will be limited. We will adhere to thirty-minute sessions to allow for others to use computers. Free Wifi can be accessed on the outside of the library building.
• Curbside Document Delivery Services such as printing, copying and faxing are available for a fee. Wireless printing is available at select branches: Flowood, Pearl, Magee, Mendenhall, Forest.
• Notary services are available for a nominal fee at the following branches: Flowood, Magee, Mendenhall
• Library Team Members are required to wear protective masks and gloves with frequent glove changes and hand washing.
• Tables, chairs, and other library surfaces are sanitized after every use.
• High-touch areas such as doorknobs, screens, restrooms, etc. are sanitized frequently throughout each shift.
• Antibacterial soap and hand sanitizer are readily available for Library Team Members and patrons in the libraries.
• Library Team Members are provided proper training and guidance on safety protocols and steps to minimize the spread of COVID19.
• Meeting room use and study room use are discontinued until further notice.

CMRLS has a plan for our libraries. The first part of the plan includes opening Book Drops and offering Curbside Services. During this phase, patrons will not be allowed to enter our libraries.

Book drops at selected locations will be open starting Monday, May 18, 2020 (at the following locations: Floyd J.Robinson Memorial Public Library (Raleigh, MS), Forest Public Library (Forest, MS), G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Public Library (Flowood, MS), Magee PublicLibrary (Magee, MS), Mendenhall Public Library (Mendenhall, MS), Pearl PublicLibrary (Pearl, MS), Richland Public Library (Richland, MS)). All returned items will be quarantined for fourteen (14) days in the designated and approved area in the library. The returned items will be in quarantine. Items will remain on the patron’s account until the quarantine period is completed. However, it should not hinder the patron from borrowing more items.

Beginning Tuesday, May 26, 2020, Curbside Services will be available from 10:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M. at the following locations: Floyd J.Robinson Memorial Public Library (Raleigh, MS), Forest Public Library (Forest, MS), G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Public Library (Flowood, MS), Magee PublicLibrary (Magee, MS), Mendenhall Public Library (Mendenhall, MS), Pearl PublicLibrary (Pearl, MS), Richland Public Library (Richland, MS).

We will continue to closely monitor the recommendations of local health departments and authorities to ensure we are serving you in the safest way possible.

Warm regards,

Mara V. Polk

Executive Director

Library System Continues to Serve During COVID-19 Outbreak

All branches of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) are currently closed to the public, but many of the library’s digital resources are still available online during this time of social distancing.


CMRLS has created a remote “digital library card” sign-up option to ensure that library cards can be issued to those who want to access digital materials and services while they are at home. To sign up for a digital library card, or to reset the PIN number on an existing library card account, users can visit cmrls.lib.ms.us and click on the tab “Services” and be directed to complete the online application.

The library has a Virtual Reference Collection page, located at https://cmrls.lib.ms.us/digital-library/virtual-reference-collection, to make it easy for users to access all its digital content in one place. Regular updates are posted to this page, including links to additional free educational and informational content. Users will also find links to the library’s Axis360 eBook service and Freading where cardholders can access eBooks, eAudiobooks, music, and more.


Library staff members will be working to possibly offer virtual children’s story times, and regular updates to its social media pages to share useful and interesting content. Virtual story times will be available through the library’s Facebook page and Instagram pages. Users can find the library on Facebook (CMRLS.Libraries), Twitter (CMRLSLibrary), Twitter (CMRLSTeen) Pinterest (CMRLSLibrary), Flickr (CMRLS Photos), Instagram (CMRLSLibraries).


CMRLS also wants library users to know that all materials checked out from the library have been extended to May 4th and that no overdue fines will be charged during the library’s closure. Library book drops are also closed, and patrons are being asked to keep their checked-out materials until the library reopens.


“Acting on advice and recommendations from the CDC, Governor Tate Reeves, the Mississippi Library Association, and Mississippi Library Commission, nearly all public library systems in the State of Mississippi are currently closed,” said CMRLS Executive Director Mara Villa Polk. “Even so, the decision to close was a tremendously difficult one to make, and we really miss our
patrons. I am proud of our library team member’s efforts as they continue to engage with the community in a safe and responsible way while working to improve and adapt library services during this crisis.”


The Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smith Counties. Patrons can contact the library via email at: custsvc@cmrls.lib.ms.us or by calling 601-825-0100.

Having a Blast at Harrisville

We are having a blast with our summer programs at Harrisville Library this summer. Our first program we hosted was Freedom Ranch with their Birds of Prey. The kids enjoyed hearing the stories about all the birds. We even got to watch one of the bird eat his lunch, and yes it was a mouse. We even got to see Walter the Snake and Beauty the Rat. Everyone had their picture made with Clarissa the Turkey Vulture.

Our second program of the summer was a DIY Craft day. We made some really cool space crafts, Rocket Straws, Comets and Moon Sand. The kids had a contest to see who could launch their rockets the highest. The moon sand was a blast, the kids all got to help mix the moon sand. 

Our third program of the summer was Exploring Space with Reed Freeman. Mr. Freeman is a teacher from Co-Lin Community College in Wesson. He shared some cool and interesting facts about our solar system. The kids loved seeing how air pressure can crush a can. As the kids said, IT WAS COOL!

The fun is just beginning. Our programs are held every Tuesday @ 3pm here at the Harrisville Library. Here are the upcoming programs for Harrisville.

• Tuesday, June  25th @ 3pm Blast off with Healthy Habits.  Join Mrs. Tammy with the MS Extension Services for some tips on staying healthy all summer long. Following the program we will get to make a yummy snack.
• Tuesday, July 2nd @ 3pm CMRLS Puppets.  The Puppets have been having a blast this summer and they are back to see you. They want you to join them for their out-of-this-world program.
• Tuesday, July 9th @ 3pm Hattiesburg Zoo.  Our favorite zoo friends are back to see you. Come see what amazing animals they have brought to share with you. 
• Saturday, July 20th @ 10am Movies in the Morning.  Join us for our presentation of the 2018 Warner Bros. production of, Ready Player One. This movie is rated PG-13 and runs for 140 minutes. *PG-13 rating is for sci-fi violence, bloody images, partial nudity and language.

We hope that you will join us this summer for all the fun.

1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

1,000 BOOKS BEFORE KINDERGARTEN

SETS CHILDREN ON THE PATH TO SUCCESS...

ONE BOOK AT A TIME

Families are invited to join the 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program at their local CMRLS Library. The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a nationwide challenge that encourages parents and caregivers to regularly read aloud to their children. By reading just one book a night, and it is okay to repeat books, families can reach the 1,000-book goal in three years and provide their children with essential early literacy skills.

Research shows that the most reliable predictor of school success is being read to during early childhood. Reading to children from an early age can help close the vocabulary gap and prepare children to enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed. Most importantly, sharing books with children promotes a lifelong love of books and reading.

This year-round program means that there is no start or finish date. You begin when you wish and read at your own pace. There are no fees and you may check out books for your child on their very own FINE FREE library card. Your library also has a phone app so that you can easily keep track of the books you read to your child -- even if you read the same book again, and again! When you have read 1,000 books together or your child begins kindergarten, your library can print for free a list of the books you have read together and a completion certificate for your records.

When asked about this program, CMRLS Director Mara Villa Polk said, “Reading with your children is a legacy that will remain with them for a lifetime.  I have two children under the ages of three.  I read to them before they were born and since then they have displayed excitement and joy for books and reading with me.”

The program is free, the library card is free - and FINE FREE, and you can keep track of your progress on your phone, tablet, or computer. You will have given your child the priceless beginnings of a skill they will use throughout their lifetime and a skill they can share with the next generation.

For more information on 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and your child’s FINE FREE library card, visit or call your local CMRLS library. Contact information, location, and hours of operation can be found at www.cmrls.lib.ms.us or call 601-825-0100. Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the public libraries and the more than 216,000 citizens of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties.

First Coding Camp held at Brandon Library

The Brandon Public Library had great success with their first-ever Coding Camp! Ten children from age 8 to 13 participated in the camp, July 24-July 27.

The children used the coding utility “Scratch” to build projects and even their own games. Branch Manager Linda Wolfe would take five to ten minutes before each computer session to teach the kids about different aspects of coding, and then Reference Specialist William Simmons led them through computer sessions. They learned how to make their own versions of art-making programs and how to make a musical program and their own music. They created and played their own video games, and then moved into more complicated coding to make their games more elaborate. The last day had their favorite session, “Sound Party,” where the children got to create animations that reacted to different songs that they played through the code!

In between computer sessions, we had the children do hands-on activities that applied aspects of coding without the computer. The children had to write out very specific instructions in order to “code” their partners in cup stacking games, graph paper replicas, and tangrams. Their final activity was a treasure hunt, which taught them how bugs in code could lead them in circles, much like a frozen computer. Even their snack times involved real-life coding and debugging problems!

At the end of each day, they got to use the Maker Space Snap Circuit kits to make their own tiny electrical circuits. They worked together on specialty kits, and after using the instruction booklet to gain a basic understanding of how the kits worked, competed with one another to see how fast they could build their own circuits. They also tried the game Littlcodr, which required them to use coding cards to direct their partner through their own designed obstacle courses.

Maker Space Kits were available through an LSTA grant from the Mississippi Library Commission. This program was funded by Priority One Bank and the Friends of the Brandon Library. Thank you for your support.

All in all, everyone had a blast learning to code at the Brandon Library. We can’t wait to do it again!

August at Richland Library

We know everyone is busy this time of year, but August will be FUN at the Richland Library! 

Preschool Story Time is designed for children ages birth to preschool age. Preschool Story Hour at Richland Library is every Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. The following is a schedule of programs for this month.

• August 2nd - Back to School
• August 9th - School House Rock
• August 16th - Piggin' Out
• August 23rd - Let's Scream for Ice Cream!
• August 30th - Tracks on the Farm

Teen Movie Night – Thursday, July 6th at 6:00 P.M. –We will be watching Lionsgate's Power Rangers which is rated PG-13 and is 124 minutes in length. The movie explores what happens to a group of high school students, who are infused with unique super powers and how they harness their abilities in order to save the world.

Richland Writers – Monday, August 7th at 6:00 P.M. Richland Writers is for anyone who is interested in meeting with other people to discuss the craft of writing.

Coloring and Conversation – Thursday, August 18th at 6:00 P.M. Join us for fun informal coloring. You can bring your own coloring sheet or choose from one of our patterns.

Coffee and Books – Tuesday, August 18th at 10:30 A.M. This month we will be talking about Bone to be Wild by Carolyn Haines, an author with Mississippi ties and the 2004 CMRLS Patron's Choice Award for Crossed Bones.

Friends of the Library Meeting – Thursday, August 24th at 6:00 P.M. The Friends of the Richland Library will have a special guest, Mary H. Coleman who will be talking about her book “Mary’s Story and Song”.

For more information on the above meetings/programs, please call the Richland Library at 601-932-1846. Check the Events calendar for future programs.

CMRLS Libraries Announce Cyber Monday Savings

Fines Half Off At Your Local Library!

Internet stores report their busiest sales day is the Monday after Thanksgiving, known as Cyber Monday. It is the online version of Black Friday, that Friday after Thanksgiving when we expect big savings on gift items. This year Central Mississippi Regional Library System libraries are participating in Cyber Monday in a very low tech manner. Visit any of the 20 CMRLS library branches in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith Counties on Monday, December 1, and all fines are 50% off. Yes, half off!

"We haven't offered a fine reduction lately," said Mara Polk, director of CMRLS. "School papers and projects will soon be due; we want to especially help these students clear up their fines and to have a successful school year. The offer to cut fines by 50% is open to all ages, for all fines; however this does not apply to collection fees." 

Come in to any CMRLS library during regular hours on Monday, December 1, to take advantage of half off fines. Your local library accepts cash or check. However, it will be possible to pay your fines by credit or debit card. You must visit your library to have staff apply the 50% savings to your account and then use a library computer or your personal device to finish the transaction. 

To find business hours for any CMRLS library on Monday, December 1, visit http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/BRANCHES.htm or call your local library. 

Happy holidays and good savings to you!

IT IS CHRISTMAS TIME AT THE FLOWOOD LIBRARY!

Get some holiday cheer at the Flowood Public Library with these great events!

Christmas Story Time, Dec. 7th at 9:30 am & 11:30 am
Open House featuring The Bells of Faith, Dec. 12th at 6:00 pm
1st Annual Christmas Cookie Contest & Swap, Dec. 21st at 1:00 pm

The Flowood Library, part of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, is hosting several Christmas programs that are guaranteed to delight! The library is hosting three programs this year, including its first annual Cookie Contest and Swap! 

"Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year!" Ashley Biggs, Branch Manager, said. "I'm really excited that we're able to have these great events. We can't wait!"

The program to kick off the holiday season is "Story Time and Cookies with Santa," set for December 7th at 9:30 am & 11:00 am. Ms. June, Children's Librarian, will be reading Christmas stories while kids line up to see Santa! (Parent's, bring you camera!) Tickets are FREE but are limited to "first come, first served" and will be released three weeks prior to the program.

The Friends of the Flowood Library will be hosting an Open House on December 12th at 6:00 pm. Come and join the Friends for a performance by the Bells of Faith, the hand bell choir from The Mustard Seed! All are welcome to come and socialize and learn about all the wonderful volunteer opportunities available to them through the Friends of the Flowood Library. Light refreshments will be served.

The final Christmas program is something new! The library is hosting a Cookie Contest and Swap on December 21st, from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. Bake your best and bring it to the library where the celebrity judge, Mr. Jim Stewart of Fat-Cake Guy, will judge! You only need two dozen cookies to participate, and prizes will be awarded! Fun for the whole family! Special thanks to the Flowood Chamber, the Flowood Young Professionals, State Farm, and others for donating milk and prizes! Registration is not required but is recommended--or just bring your entry on the day of the contest! 

For further information, contact staff by email: flowood@cmrls.lib.ms.us or phone: 601-919-1911.

National Library Week & New Services Announced!

It is National Library Week and Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) is excited to announce two new services from Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith County Libraries! Freegal Music and Rocket Languages are both services by Library Ideas(TM) that was named "One of the Top 100 Companies in the Digital Content Industry for 2011-12" by EContent Magazine. 

Freegal Music is a database of over 3 million songs including Sony Music's catalog of legendary artists and over 10,000 music labels from 65 different countries. Registered CMRLS cardholders can download 3 music tracks in MP3 format each week at no cost. In addition, Freegal Music recently announced the availability of free mobile apps. The app is available at the Apple(r) App Store and Google Play(r). This makes the Libraries' music collection mobile and downloadable from anywhere. 

"We have been waiting a long time for a service like this that delivers great music, compatibility with lots of devices and simplicity of use. We think this will be incredibly popular with our patrons and will help the library in marketing all its services to the community," said CMRLS Director Kaileen Thieling.

Where did the name "Freegal" come from? It must be asked often, Library Ideas (TM) answers the question on their website. Freegal, which rhymes with legal, is free, downloadable, legal music. Library Ideas (TM) thinking to further advertise the point came up with "Free and Legal" - it's Freegal. It is memorable, which is what you want when marketing a product and there is no threat of copyright infringement when downloading this music. So, Freegal it is! 

Rocket Languages is an online conversational language lesson database of 13 languages, including American Sign Language and ESL for Spanish and Japanese speakers. The language lessons have been created to help the learner speak naturally; even recording your voice for comparison with every word and phrase used in the course. To reinforce the lessons, Rocket Languages uses Language-Master Games, self-testing, and a forum so that anyone using the language lessons can interact with other learners and your Rocket Languages teachers. 

Other languages in the Rocket Language database are Spanish, Korean, Japanese, Italian, Hindi, German, French, Chinese, Arabic, and Portuguese. Cardholders may work on one or all of the languages that are accessible anywhere through the CMRLS website. Rocket Languages also has iOS and Android apps so that you can use your course wherever you are.

"We are excited to also offer this free Library service. This can be very useful for our communities that continue to grow more diverse, and for travelers. The lessons travel with you, either online, by the use of an app, or by downloading the lessons as pdf or MP3 files," said Dorothy Vance, CMRLS Public Relations Coordinator. 

National Library Week, first sponsored in 1958, is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. "Communities matter @ your library, is this year's motto and service to the community has always been the focus of the library," said Vance.

Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the public libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties. For more information, contact your local CMRLS Library or visit www.cmrls.lib.ms.us. 

CMRLS Libraries Offer eBooks

Central Mississippi Regional Library System announces the newest service available to Library cardholders. Your Libraries are now offering eBooks for download to the Blio Reader app for Kindle Fire, iPhones, iPods, iPads, Android phones and tablets; or the ePub and pdf formats for Nook, Color Nook, Sony, or Kobo eReaders.

            The terminology and technology may be new to you; but eBooks are just one more format that books and information may be delivered to CMRLS Library cardholders. The eBooks are checked out and downloaded to your eReader any time of the day or night, and anywhere you have a WiFi connection. You have the book for seven days. And, there is never a late fee or charge for damages because the eBooks are returned to the Library without you leaving the comfort of your home or making time in your busy day to visit the Library!

            Patrons who have waited patiently for this service may have already begun searching for eBooks to read. A link on the CMRLS website takes you directly to the “Magic Wall,” where you can view the eBooks and read summaries; read reviews or write your own. A link on the Magic Wall takes you directly to Blio, a free app to be downloaded once…and that’s it! The most popular eBooks in the collection are shown on the Magic Wall when it opens, but there are ways to search for eBooks – by age group, subject, or title. If the title you are looking for is unavailable, you may place a hold so that you are the next in line, just like a print book. You can create a Wish List for titles you may wish to read later.

There is a HELP button on the Magic Wall and links to further help on the CMRLS website. Watch the CMRLS calendar and your local newspaper for announcements of classes for help with checking out eBooks on your eReader.

CMRLS is also launching a free Library app this week! BookMyne, a very useful application that allows you to search the CMRLS Library catalog, access your Library account; view Library contact information, business hours, and directions to the Library using Google Maps. Install this app on your phone and you can call or email your home Library with one click. This app will search for the nearest Library within 10-300 miles using your location, very handy if looking for a free WiFi connection while traveling.

“Suggested Reading” is a wonderful tool within the BookMyne app. Powered by the popular website Goodreads, this lists award winning titles and popular titles to search for in the CMRLS Library catalog. If the title is not in the catalog, ask Library staff for options.

Further information may be found on the CMRLS website, www.cmrls.lib.ms.us. CMRLS serves the public libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties.

Fine Forgiveness Week

Local Libraries to Forgive Student Fines and Assist Community

The Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) wants to make your students’ school year a successful one. To assist with this goal, CMRLS libraries are declaring a Fine Forgiveness Week, September 8-15. During this week anyone 21 years or younger may clear their library fines and start the school year with a ‘clean slate’. Those already out of school may also clear fines. Fines will only continue to follow them and cause future problems. Borrowing materials for upcoming school projects or just leisure reading will no longer be a worry.   

Students, or any person age 21 and younger, who have overdue library materials in good condition may return them to the library during Fine Forgiveness Week and fines will be forgiven. It is that easy! In addition, by returning the materials, students just coming into those same school projects will have the needed resources. Due to the economic situation everyone is facing, replacing those needed materials are sometimes beyond library budgets. Books cost more each year to purchase.

If for some reason those overdue library materials are lost or the items have been damaged, anyone 21 years and younger may still be granted Fine Forgiveness! The Library will accept one sealed, multi-serving packaged food item for each $10 in fines that the borrower owes. This will erase the library fine and at the same time contribute to the Mississippi Food Network working in your community. Your library and the library’s website have a list of accepted items for fine forgiveness. The list includes items such as peanut butter, fruit cups, pudding cups, and snack crackers.

Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the public libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. The libraries are located in Pearl, Flowood, Brandon, Puckett, Pelahatchie, Florence, Reservoir, Richland, and Sandhill; Forest, Morton, Sebastopol, and Lake; Magee, Mendenhall, and Harrisville; Mize, Polkville, Raleigh, and Taylorsville. Hours, contact information, and a list of accepted food items are found at www.cmrls.lib.ms.us. The library nearest to you may be listed in the local phone book in the “city section”, the yellow pages, or by name. Library staff can answer any questions regarding Fine Forgiveness Week. Fees produced by Debt Collect will not be forgiven.

R. T. Prince Memorial Library Reopens

Betty Medlock

New Branch Manager for Mize Library
 

The R. T. Prince Memorial Library in Mize reopens this month beginning Monday, Feb. 6, at 2:30 p.m. The Mize Library’s hours of operation are each Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday; 2:30-5:30 p.m. Mrs. Betty Medlock is the new branch manager.

Mrs. Medlock has lived in the Smith County area for two and a half years with her husband, the minister of the South Raleigh Christian Church. They have been in the ministry for more than thirty years and have lived in many places; the most exotic of which was the Grand Cayman Islands. The Medlocks have three grown children, 4 grandchildren and another one on the way! Mrs. Medlock also teaches preschool at the First Baptist Church in Taylorsville. 

Medlock has worked the last couple of weeks with the staff of the Raleigh Library during her orientation to the Library System. When asked what she wants for the Library in Mize, Medlock answered, “I hope to make the community aware of the Library and the services available. The Library has a lot to offer the community.” Programming, including Preschool Story Time and summer reading programs, will continue at the Library. For information on how you can get involved through programming, donations, or volunteering call the Library at 601-733-9414 during business hours or email mize@cmrls.lib.ms.us. Mrs. Medlock can also give information regarding the Friends of the Library, a membership organization that supports the Library with projects throughout the year. 

The R. T. Prince Memorial Library in Mize is part of Central Mississippi Regional Library System, which serves the public libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties. Further information about the Mize Library or others may be found online at http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us.