Ten Reasons to Visit a Library this Weekend!

10. Check out a DVD or VCR movie FREE for the kids (it's going to be raining)!
9. Pick up a book on CD, or tape, and listen to it while you drive home, again FREE.
8. Check out a CD of "Oldie Goldies", (FREE) whether that's the 90's for you, or the 40's!
7. Check out one of the newest Vampire novels, and learn why they're SO popular, and FREE!
6. Trek to another planet in a Sci-Fi (or SyFy) novel for FREE.
5. Sign up for Early Email Notification and let us remind you 3 days before books are due, again FREE!
4. Check out a video game for your PS 2 or 3, Nintendo DS or Wii, yep...FREE!
3. Learn to pinch a penny for FREE!
2. Find a new FREE recipe for chicken!
1. Talk to your librarian, anytime, for FREE.

Have a great weekend!

Forest Library is OPEN!

Forest Public Library opened Monday, May 18 at the temporary location; and the patrons were ready! Having spoken to the staff yesterday, everyone seemed excited! The temporary address is 415 East Third Street. The hours of operation, telephone and FAX numbers are the same.

Watch this blog and the CMRLS website for updates and pictures of the progress of the NEW Forest Library.

Flu Season?

Here is a collection of links for information concerning the Swine Flu, Pandemic Flu, and how you can stay healthy!

PandemicFlu.gov - Official Health and Human Services site: A One-stop Access to U.S. Government Swine, Avian, and Pandemic Flu Information
Center for Disease Control (CDC): H1N1 Flu
World Health Organization (WHO): Swine Flu
WHO: Swine Flu Information in Spanish
MedlinePlus-National Library of Medicine: Swine Flu
American Red Cross: Preparing for a Potential Flu Pandemic
Medicare and Flu Information (link found here for Spanish also)
What is the Government Doing Now to Prepare for a Pandemic Flu Outbreak?
CDC: Recommendation for When to Close Schools
Flu History: The Great Pandemic of 1918, from PandemicFlu.gov

Also, use these link to find blog entries* through Google from across the web regarding Pandemic Flu; and through Ask.com or Yahoo! regarding swine flu.

If more information is needed, ask your librarian for help.
Librarians, the original search engines!

*Blog entries may be by news agencies, health organizations, or individuals just offering insights. Although this may be almost real-time information shared about different areas of the U.S. or the world, further research through trustworthy resources may be warranted.

National Library Week!

National Library Week is April 12-18! Stop by your local library or visit the online calendar to see about the FUN programming during this special week in the library community!

A history of National Library Week from ALA.org: 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 American Library Association 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.

National Library Week is observed each year in April, generally the second full week.

This years' theme is World's Connect @ your library! Visit a library near you and make a connection; whether its information needed for a job search, a new meat loaf recipe, or the newest suspense thriller to read on a warm spring day, there is something for everyone @ your library!

Job Opportunities @ CMRLS

Check out the new job listings at CMRLS libraries here. Libraries are GREAT places to work and CMRLS is the best -- with the nicest patrons and the friendliest staff!

Reminders on Your Cell Phone!

The following are two ways to keep ahead of library items coming due. Each one of these will notify you so that you can return the items or renew them, if you wish.

Library Elf works with the CMRLS catalog to not only send you email when your items are due, you can have the reminders sent to your cell phone!

The CMRLS Early Email Notification will send you an email 3 days before you or anyone in your household or care has library material due!

For CMRLS Early Email Notification, just let your library staff know that you are interested and supply a valid email address. You can have everyone in your household linked to one email! For Library Elf, just follow the hyperlink and fill in the information. Library Elf works with the library catalog to notify you by email or cell phone!

Stay ahead in 2009!

Library Closings

Wasn't the snow nice? Unfortunately it meant that the libraries were closed on Thursday, Dec. 11, but opened Friday morning at 10:30. Administration wanted to make sure staff and patrons would be safe on the roads. Simpson County libraries (Magee, Mendenhall, and Harrisville) are still closed today, Friday, Dec. 12, as the Simpson County Sheriff's Department asked that citizens not be on the roads. These libraries will be open Saturday, Dec. 13, 9:00 a.m., for their regular hours of business.

ALL CMRLS libraries will be CLOSED at 1:00 p.m., on Dec. 24, and remain CLOSED on Dec. 25, 26, and 27, for the Christmas holiday. Libraries will again close at 1:00 p.m, on Dec. 31, and remain CLOSED on Jan. 1 and 2, for the New Year's holiday. You may renew items during these times on the website using Rosie's Web the online catalog or by phone at 601-825-5450. Please have your library card with you when logging on or making the phone call. Your barcode and Personal Identification Number are needed to complete the transaction.

CMRLS Staff Member Receives Scholarship

Congratulations, Mara!

CMRLS' and Pearl Public Library's own Mara Villa recieved the 2008 Virgia Brocks-Shedd Scholarship, awarded by the Mississippi Library Association Black Caucus Roundtable in honor of the late Virgia Brocks-Shedd who devoted twenty-six years of outstanding service to the Humanities. This award is made annually to a minority library science student and was presented during the 2008 Mississippi Library Association Conference in Natchez, held Oct. 22-24.

Ms. Villa, pictured far left, is the Youth Services Supervisor of the Pearl Public Library. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

NEW Library Card!

They are here!

The NEW plastic

CMRLS library cards

can be found at your

nearest CMRLS library.

Stop by your library with your current card and ask the staff to issue you one of the new plastic cards. You have the choice of a credit card sized library card or the convenient key tag library card. The key tag card easily slips on to your key ring just like your Kroger or CVS cards. You'll always have it with you!

The library staff will take your old paper library card and add it to the cards they have already collected. Make sure your signature is on the back, because your old card enters you into a drawing at the end of September! Each CMRLS branch will hold a drawing with prizes from local businesses.

While you are replacing your old paper card, you will want to tell the staff of any address, phone number, or email address changes that need to be made. EARLY EMAIL NOTIFICATION is available to those of you with email addresses. CMRLS will send you an email 3 days before any item you have checked out is due. This means NO late fees! Just tell your library staff to sign you up for EARLY EMAIL NOTIFICATION.

For branch location and hours of operation visit http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/BRANCHES.htm, with a new interactive CMRLS service area map!

Thank You Rouse Elementary Venture Students!

SRP 2007 BANNER-7,
originally uploaded by CMRLS Photos.

For the last couple of years the 2nd grade Venture class of Rouse Elementary School in Brandon has helped the 21 CMRLS libraries decorate for Summer Reading. Please take a look at these great kids and their hard work. Thank you, students! Teacher: Janet Paczak(also a member of the CMRLS Puppet Team.)

Summer FUN!

Summer Reading 2007 is up and running! Check out the pictures of the fun on the libraries' Flickr pages, the programs remaining, and ALL the cool websites, book lists, and pictures to color. Continue to fun ALL summer, READ!

May is...Older Americans Month

From the U.S. Census:
36.3 million - The number of seniors who were age 65 and older in the U.S. on July 1, 2004.
5 million - Number of seniors age 65 and older who have jobs.
4.9 million - The number of seniors in the U.S. who were 85 and older on July 1, 2004.
67,473 - The estimated number of centenarians (people age 100 or older) in the U.S. on Nov. 1, 2005.
72 - The number of men age 65 and older for ever 100 women in the same age group.
45 - The number of men age 85 and over per 100 women in the same age group.
40 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who have a computer at home.
25 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who use the Internet.


Whether you are on the brink of being a senior yourself, or caring for your aged parents; there are many titles @ your library to help you. Here are just a few.

The art of aging: A doctor's prescription for well-being, by Sherwin B. Nuland
The truth about abuse, by John Haley
Remodeling for easy access living, by Rick Peters
Healthy aging: A lifelong guide to your physical and spiritual well-being, by Andrew Weil
How to live to be 100--or more: The ultimate diet, sex, and excercise book, by George Burns
Eldercare 911, by Susan Beerman & Judith Rappaport-Musson
Elder care: What to look for, what to look out for, by Thomas M. Cassidy
Visits: Caring for an aging parent, by Lee Ann Chearny
The older the fiddle, the better the tune: The joys of reaching a certain age, by Willard Scott
The American Geriatrics Society's complete guide to aging and health, by Mark E. Williams
Computers for seniors (DVD)
Intermediate computers for seniors (DVD)

Libraries CLOSED

All CMRLS libraries will be closed

Monday, April 30

for the

state holiday.

Branches will open regular hours

Tuesday, May 1.

Material may renewed,

accounts may be checked

by calling TeleCirc

or by visiting the

online catalog.

Drop Everything And Read!

April 12th is D.E.A.R. Day! Drop Everything And Read Day! It is also the birthday of Beverly Cleary, the author that has given us Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and The Mouse and the Motorcycle (and so many more, those are just my favorites.)

So, on April 12th, celebrate D.E.A.R. Day; and, if you can't find anything you want to read stop by the library and ask the Librarian for help!

Get Ready for Summer Reading!

Get ready for summer FUN!

Watch for registration

for a summer

FULL of FUN

@ your library!

Artwork by Mark Teague

Election Information

Do you know all you would like to know about the Presidential candidates? State politics? Do you feel like you could make an informed decision today? Follow these links to information regarding parties, candidates, legislation, and more.

Internet Public Library - election information links
The Presidential Field by the Washington Post
Election Guide - world-wide information
Magnolia Report - Mississippi politics

Libraries Closed

ALL CMRLS Libraries

will close

Monday, February 19

for

President's Day

D'Lo Public Library Closed

D'Lo Public Library is closed until further notice. The position of Branch Manager for the D'Lo Library is vacant; click here for more information. The Mendenhall Public Library is open Monday 10-7, Tuesday & Thursday 9:30-5:30, Wednesday & Friday 9-5, & Saturday 9-12 for your convenience.

Comments Allowed

CMRLS now allows comments on the CMRLS News Blog entries! Let us know if the blog is helpful to you.

Libraries Closed

All CMRLS libraries will be closed

Tuesday, July 4, 2006.

HAPPY FOURTH of JULY!

Fourth of July is Independence Day!

Kids Domain: July 4th Fun

Fourth of July History and more!

The Declaration of Independence

Presidential Proclamation - 2006

What Presidents Do on July 4th

July 4th Recipes: AllRecipes

Recipes: Whitehouse.gov