Libraries Transform...Mississippi!

CMRLS Libraries keep you connected! Free WiFi at all 20 Libraries and free public access computers to use! There's eBooks and eAudioBooks, free music to download, and a new website! Check out the Digital Library It's all there! Your Library 24/7! WOW, a Library at your fingertips with your CMRLS Library Card.

How do I get a CMRLS Library Card? It's free to anyone who lives, works, or attends school in the 4-County area. After you use your card, we will email or text you to remind you that you have items that will soon be due. The email or text will come 3 days before the due date and will list the items you have checked out. It is just a friendly reminder that you have items that will soon be overdue. There is even a link to use to renew (by phone or online) your items if you need them longer! For your convenience have all family Early Notices sent to one phone or address. We try to save you from overdue fines! 

There are free library programs throughout Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith County libraries; beginning with preschool story times; adult and young adult book clubs, computer or craft classes, and movie matinees. Something for everyone! The Event Calendar is searchable by library branch, age category, or keyword. You may even choose to be reminded by email of a future program. 

We can't say enough about libraries and what you can do with a Library Card! Of course you can still check out books, you just have so many options. Now you have the option of reading the newest bestseller in normal or large print, eBook, downloadable audiobook, audiobook on CD; or because of a visual or physical limitation, books may be requested on digital cartridge, cassette, or Braille from Mississippi's Talking Book Services. 

Do you have a question about programs or services? You may use the linked Customer Service form or the email address custsvc@cmrls.lib.ms.us to contact us. Do you need homework or research help? Use the Ask a Librarian form or use the email address ask@cmrls.lib.ms.us; or call or email the Library nearest you.

Have a great National Library Week!

Flowood Community Service Fair

Are you looking for a way to make a contribution to your community?  Does your child need to earn service hours for school?  Come out to Flowood Library's Community Service Fair on Saturday, April 28th from 9:00 am to noon and discover some great opportunities!  Some of the service organizations that will be attending include:  Red Cross, Mustard Seed, American Cancer Society, Community Animal Rescue and Adoption, and many more.  

Getting Ready for School

While your child is choosing which color notebook to use for which class, remember that the most valuable tool for school is a Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) LIBRARY CARD. “The library card is FREE to anyone living, working, or attending school in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties,” said Kaileen Thieling, Director of CMRLS. Not only will the library card give your child access to more than 350,000 books, newspapers, and magazines to be checked out or used in the library; your child will have FREE online access to even more up-to-date books, newspapers, and magazines for those inevitable school projects. These may be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the library website, http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/.

Think of needing an encyclopedia or magazine article late one evening when the library is not open! The article will be right at your fingertips from any online computer. “Most teachers do not accept sources such as Wikipedia™ or Yahoo Answers™ for school projects not because they are found on the Internet, but because the sources of the answers are not verified,” said Director Thieling. “The libraries’ online sources are reputable, peer reviewed journal articles, books, encyclopedias, maps, and videos in all the subjects needed by your elementary, middle or high school student.”

This year, CMRLS has added Internet Math™ to the homework help resources found online. Internet Math™ teaches and reviews math word problems for students in grades 1-8. Each problem is accompanied by a series of visual hints that teach the student how to solve the problem. Library staff will set up a FREE account for any student wanting to use this resource. Lessons are saved by using the student’s password, allowing students to return to the lessons as often as needed.

Students with library cards may also practice the 4th and 8th grade proficiency exams and study lessons on math, language, or computer skills on Learn A Test™, another online library resource. “Library staff will be glad to help students access any of these resources,” said the Director. “The libraries want to help make this a successful school year.”

Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the public libraries in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. Further information may be found online at http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/ or by visiting your local library.

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!

A Day to Remember

It's been two years, today. A somber memory, with personal losses or our knowledge of someone else's loss. And, just like the question, "Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?" the question, "Where were you when Katrina hit?" will be repeated many times over our lifetime.

The papers and news segments today will consist of Hurricane Katrina, the devistation, and where we are today. If you would like to read through some of the reports, look at the pictures or read fiction based on that day, check out Hurricane Katrina from the CMRLS library shelves.

The libraries also have materials that may help with life changing events, depression, and healing. NextReads, the libraries' email book lists, has categories on "Spirituality & Religion" and "Mind & Body Fitness" that may help someone still going through traumatic times. Both of these lists, and all other categories, may also be read online. And, as always, if you can't find what you are looking for...ask a librarian!

Looking for a good book?

Are you looking for a good book? CMRLS will send you a NextReads email with at least 10 titles in the category you chose. Even if you don't want to receive a monthly email, you can to the NextReads site and view the current lists! Click here if you would like to see all the past lists!

NextReads is a GREAT service for adults, young adults, and kids. There is even a picture book list! Where else can you find ready-made lists of titles with a link to the CMRLS catalog so that you can go ahead and request the book while you are reading about it? Still can't find a book you want to read? Ask your library staff to suggest a title. Just tell the staff member what you have read that you liked and what you have read that you didn't like. We will find your next favorite book for you!

Remember, if you can't find a good book, ask your library staff for help or visit NextReads.

Time for School!

Your Library has a great tool to add to your school supply list, a FREE library card. Anyone living, working, or attending school in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties is eligible for a card. A library card can benefit the youngest student just starting, the high school senior planning her future, or the life-long learner as he seeks career changes. And, not only can you find this in your library, but the library's website has many resources you may use at home or the office. http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us

MAGNOLIA - Full text databases; magazines, journals, newspapers, and reference materials. There are search engines geared to age levels to make homework help easy. Searchasaurus for the elementary student; Kids Search for the middle school student; and Student Research Center for high school student. Each database can be searched alone for the researcher with specific interest, such as the Consumer Health Complete or the Business Interface. Ask at your library for the MAGNOLIA access code.

Auto Repair Reference Center - 26,000 Domestic and Imported vehicles from 1945 to present, 70,000 technical service bulletins & recalls, wiring diagrams, factory drawings, step-by-step photos, specifications & maintenance schedules, and MORE!- Contact your Library for the access code.

Electronic Reference Books - Full text reference books (with pictures) on history, biographies, literature, countries, animals, and science for middle and high school students. Contact your Library for the access code.

Heritage Quest - Genealogy databases. Enter your Library Card barcode to access this database.

Learn-A-Test - Practice for ACT, SAT, GED, and so much more. This now includes self-paced computer tutorials; learn to master Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more! Contact your Library to create an account.

Rosie's Web/Online Catalog - This is the libraries' online catalog. You may search for audio, video, and books; make requests and have your items delivered to your local library for pick-up, and check your patron account...at any time of the day, from any computer!

Quick Reference - This is a collection of hand-picked reference websites, sorted by subject, to help with quick answers. It's a great "first stop" for homework help, general questions, and even NEWS.

Web Resource Library - This is even a bigger collection of hand-picked websites, sorted in Dewey Decimal order, just like the library book shelves. Find reputable websites for most any subject you are interested in.

Online Book Clubs - Want help finding something good to read? Have a chapter a day sent to your email address. Read the selection through the week and if you want to finish reading the book, just check with your library.

NextReads - Still want help finding something good to read? Have a list of books sent to your email address on subjects or genres that you like to read. Each entry contains a picture of the front cover (sometimes you really can tell alot about a book by it's cover!), a short blurb about the book and a link to Rosie's Web so you can request the book be sent to your library for pick-up. All from your email!

Early Email Notification - Another GREAT email service...tell the staff at your library that you want to register your email address for Early Email Notification. That's all it takes! We will send you an email three days before your library items are due. You can even have your child's items emailed to your email address!

CMRLS Tool Bar - Download this to have library links placed right on your browser page. It's a direct link to Rosie's Web/Online Catalog, Quick Reference, news, and weather! Your information is not stored anywhere and there is no SPAM sent to your email address.

Email Reference - If you can't get to the library for homework help or help with a question, email us! There is a short form to fill out, and Monday-Thursday, 10-8, Friday 10-5, and Saturday, 10-4 we will help you with your questions.

It's time for school, do you have your library card?

Homeschoolers Circle

Do you homeschool in the Scott County area? Visit the Morton Public Library for Homeschoolers Circle! Programs scheduled are Science is Fun - Feb. 27 & Mar. 27; Newspapers in Education - Mar. 6; and Let's Make a Kite on Mar. 19. These programs start at 10:30 a.m. and are packed with fun. For more information, call Morton Public Library at 732-6288.

New Services @ your library!

CMRLS is offering two new services!

NextReads is an email readers' advisory service with over 20 topics and genres, fiction and nonfiction, from which to choose. These can be read online or delivered to your email address, FREE of charge. You'll see the book cover, read a short synopsis of the book, and click the link to the CMRLS catalog to request the book. We'll even give you "read-alike" authors! Do you like John Grisham, or Faye Kellerman? Let us tell you who writes in the same genre. Teen Scene is available now, and a Kid's List is comig soon! Try it today.

Auto Repair Reference Center contains 26,000 Domestic and Imported vehicles from 1945 to present, 70,000 technical service bulletins & recalls, wiring diagrams, factory drawings, step-by-step photos, specifications & maintenance schedules, and MORE! If you are interested in keeping your car in the best shape possible, this is the resource for you. Contact your library for the "library code" to gain access to this valuable database.

CMRLS Library Toolbar

You can now download the CMRLS Library Toolbar! This gives you links to the library website, catalog, calendar, quick reference, this blog, news, weather, and a Google Search box literally at your fingertips. Go to the homepage and click the banner "Stay in Touch - Download our Toolbar". It's that simple!

There is no spyware or adware attached to this and you are not placed on a mailing list! Try it, today!

"Happy Holidays!" from CMRLS libraries.

Getting Ready for School

No matter what grade your child is entering next month, the best school supply you can get them is a LIBRARY CARD! If you live, work, or attend school in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith county, you and your children are eligible for a FREE CMRLS LIBRARY CARD. Go to "How do I get my Library Card?" to see just how easy it is. Your library card allows you to check out items from our 21 branches as well as use the online databases and resources.

If you are worried about not getting items returned on time, check out the Early Email Notice service. We will email you three days before your items are due giving you enough time to get them returned to any of the libraries in the four counties; or, you can use this early email notice to go online and renew the items. Either way you won't have late fees!

You may even call our automated system to renew your items or check your account. Make sure you have your library card and your PIN that you registered when you call TeleCirc at 601-825-5450.

Remember, your child's best tool for school is their LIBRARY CARD!