Bank of Forest makes a donation!

Bank of Forest makes a donation!,
originally uploaded by CMRLS Photos.

Are you interested in writing or storytelling?

Who often READS, will sometime wish to WRITE.

~ George Crabbe, English poet & naturalist (1754-1832)

Magnolia State Romance Writers meets at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library in Flowood, Feb. 20 & Mar. 20 at 10:00 a.m. Writers meet to discuss and share educational sessions for writers & aspiring writers of romance fiction. Occasional guests and speakers.

Richland Writers meets at the Richland Public Library in Richland, Feb. 8 & Mar.8, 6:00 p.m. Local writers discuss the craft of writing.

Pearl Public Library in Pearl, will hold an All Writers' Workshop, led by freelance writer Margie Culbertson on Feb. 9, 23,  & Mar. 9, 6:00 p.m. The focus will be on inspiration, tips, exercises, and member critique. Open to all writers-from newbies to published, 16-116 years old. Attendees should be actively writing and wish to improve their writing skills.

Poets Anonymous meets at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library in Flowood, on Feb. 13 & Mar. 13, 9:00 a.m. Poets and aspiring poets meet to learn, discuss and share poetry and publishing.

Storyweavers meets at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library in Flowood, on Feb. 23 & Mar. 23, 7:00 p.m. Local adult storytellers meet to share the oral tradition of storytelling, for a time of education and sharing.

Southern Writers Group meets at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library in Flowood, on Feb. 12 & Mar. 12, 12 noon. Meet to discuss writing and publishing. Bring lunch; drinks provided.

Southern Writers Group meets at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library in Flowood, on Feb. 25 & Mar. 25, 6:30 p.m. Writers and aspiring writers meet to discuss writing and publishing.

Will you be planning a wedding soon?

Love is in the air. Valentine's Day is just around the corner and many will be planning a wedding soon. Don't forget to begin your plans @ your Library. You'll find books at the library that take a couple from choosing a ring and planning the date to choosing the music, do it yourself decorating (even your own wedding cake), and planning the honeymoon! Then, when you get home and you really start feeling married -- you'll find help, again, @ your library!

Here are just a few of the latest titles available @ your library:

• How to buy a diamond : insider secrets for getting your money's worth, by Fred Cuellar
• Bridal bargains : secrets to throwing a fantastic wedding on a realistic budget, by Denise & Alan Fields
• Weddings : ideas & inspirations for celebrating in style, by Marie Proeller Hueston
• 101 ways to save money on your wedding, by Barbara Cameron
• The bride's survival guide : 150 mistakes you should avoid to ensure the perfect wedding, by Sharon Naylor
• Wedding chic : 1,001 ideas for every moment of your celebration, by Colin Cowie
• Wedding flowers, by Antonia Swinson
• The DIY bride : 40 fun projects for your ultimate one-of-a-kind wedding, by Khris Cochran
• Michelle Rago's weddings : creating a day uniquely your own, by Michelle Rago
• Crafting a dream wedding, by Susan Cousineau
• Something new : wedding etiquette for rule breakers, traditionalists, and everyone in between, by Elise Mac Adam
• Somebody is going to die if Lilly Beth doesn't catch that bouquet : the official southern ladies guide to hosting the perfect wedding, by Gayden Metcalfe and Charlotte Hays
• Emily Post's wedding planner for moms, by Peggy Post
• Vows : the African-American couple's guide to designing a sacred ceremony, by Harriette Cole
• The Knot guide to wedding vows and traditions : readings, rituals, music, dances, speeches, and toasts, by Carley Roney & th editors of the Knot
• Happily ever laughter : inspirational stories, quotes, and quips about love and marriage, by Mary Hollingsworth, general editor
• Simple stunning wedding showers : festive ideas and inspiration for perfect pre-wedding parties, by Karen Bussen with photographs by William Geddes
• Wedding cakes you can make : designing, baking, and decorating the perfect wedding cake, by Dede Wilson
• The art of wedding photography : professional techniques with style, by Bambi Cantrell and Skip Cohen
• Wedding words : vows, by Jennifer Cegielski
• Scrapbooking your wedding : fresh ideas for stunning pages, by Memory Makers

 So, whether you are the nervous Bride...or Groom...trying to create your perfect day; the Mother of the Bride trying to "dot all the etiquette i's", or perhaps the Maid of Honor having to plan that memorable bridal shower, start @ your library!

Are You in the Mood to READ Romance?

Christmas holidays are over and Valentine's Day will be here, soon. Are you in the mood to read romance novels? Here are a couple of reader's tools to help you find a book to read.

Try the Next Good Book shelf link entitled "Trust Your Heart". You will find just a sampling of some newer romance titles and some older ones; some religious, funny, historical, or even mysterious! Sign up at Next Good Book and create your own 'book shelf' to share with friends or just to keep track of what you've read or want to read. You may comment on any of the books or just read what others have said about them. You may connect with numerous readers suggesting books or new authors that you may like to read!

You might also try the archived NextReads Romance newsletters found here. You will scroll through a year's worth of links to NextReads newsletters you may want to subscribe to but the Romance List is near the bottom of the page. Subscribe to one or all of these newsletters by following this link. Your email address will not be used for any other communication and we will not share your email address with anyone. No spam or ads! You will recieve monthly newsletters with suggestions for you to read and while you are on your computer reading through your email you may use the 'Library Catalog' link to go directly to your Library's catalog and request the book be held for you.

Both of these reader's tools are simple to navigate, but if you have questions just ask your Library staff for help. The Customer Service email form may also be used for help with these tools or any Library question you might have. If you would rather use your email server, the address is custsvc@cmrls.lib.ms.us

Happy New Year!

It's 2010 and a brand NEW year is ahead of us!
CMRLS wishes you and your family a very happy New Year!

Everyone is aware of State budget cuts, but you may not be aware that they directly affect your local Library and the services that are offered in your community. Your local CMRLS Library staff took a pay cut during the 2009 budget cuts so that local Library services would not be interrupted. More State budget cuts will certainly mean interrupted services, whether it is fewer hours your Library is open, fewer programs and books, or even fewer staff. This, coming at a time when personal budgets are causing families to cancel Internet access and cut back on many entertainment expenses.

Your Library, as part of CMRLS, offers your community

• more than 360,000 free books, Videos/DVDs, Audios/CDs, magazines, and newspapers
• free reference materials and services, many even accessible at your home, office, and school
• free public access computers
• free programming for all ages, including annual Summer Library Programs

So, this is the time when CMRLS Libraries must depend on you letting your state, county, and city officials know that your Library is important to YOU and your community. Let them know that your community needs and deserves the services that your Library offers to all the citizens in their districts. Cuts in services will mean that those citizens that need the free Library services, especially local and state newspapers, Internet access and job searching resources, will lose; and so will your community.

What else can I do to help MY Library? Join your local FRIENDS group! The Friends of the Library supports local libraries with a small annual membership fee, usually $5 per year. This helps with programming, books, or needed supplies. Just ask your local Library staff how you can join FRIENDS.  Your Library needs FRIENDS!

Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the nearly 200,000 citizens and public Libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.

Library Closings

All CMRLS Libraries will close

by 6:00 p.m. on Wed., Dec. 23 and

all day Thurs., Dec. 24,

Fri., Dec. 25, and Sat., Dec. 26,

for the Christmas Holiday!

~

The Libraries will also close

all day Thurs., Dec. 31 & Fri., Jan. 1,

for the New Year's Holiday.

~

Libraries will close all day Mon., Jan. 19

for the celebrated birthdays of

Martin luther King, Jr. & Robert E. Lee.

~

The CMRLS staff wishes you a

happy and safe holiday season!

Holiday Stress Help from MAGNOLIA

Reducing holiday stress is the topic in Health Highlight found on MAGNOLIA's Consumer Health Complete database this month. The link goes to an article entitled Holiday Stress Can be Navigated, written by Robert Preidt for HealthDay Consumer News Service. You can find more articles like this in the Consumer Health Complete database search found HERE.

MAGNOLIA is the Mississippi Alliance for Gaining New Opportunities through Library Information Access and contains magazines, journals, newspapers, and books on many subjects. These subjects include medicine, health and alternative health, the sciences, literature and language, history and politics, the arts and social sciences, encyclopedias and dictionaries, biographies, photos, maps, videos and more (whew); a virtual library. The main link to MAGNOLIA can be found on the CMRLS home page.

MAGNOLIA is a statewide consortium funded by the Mississippi Legislature which provides online research databases for publicly funded K-12 schools, public libraries, community college libraries, and university libraries in Mississippi. MAGNOLIA began in 1997 as one of the first such endeavors in the country and continues to be funded by the Mississippi Legislature for free use by all Mississippians.

Contact your library if you have trouble accessing these links or would like more information on this database and others found in MAGNOLIA.

Great Titles @ your library!

Are you waiting for any of these?

• The Last Song, by Nicholas Sparks
• Pursuit of Honor, by Vince Flynn
• Her Fearful Symmetry, by Audrey Niffenegger
• Under the Dome, by Stephen King
• The Scarpetta Factor, by Patricia cornwell
• Ford County: Stories, by John Grisham
• U is for Undertow, by Sue Grafton

These are just a few of the great new titles that will be coming to your library. Contact your library staff or go directly to the online catalog and get on the waiting list! You just need your Library card and your PIN (number).

If you want something to read while you are waiting, ask the library staff for something along the lines of your favorite book or someone who writes like your favorite author...OR you could wander around NoveList and find something all together new! Your library staff can help you maneuver through NoveList and the online catalog to help you find your next favorite book or author!

Ask the staff about NoveList, NextReads, the Online Book Clubs, and Next Good Book; all tools to help you find "something good to read!"

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!

FRIENDS' Support Libraries!

While you are out and about on one of these pretty fall weekends, stop at one of these Libraries to look at the books, videos, magazines, and more for sale and to support the Friends of the Library!

Oct. 16 & 17 - Brandon Public Library

Oct. 31 - Sebastopol Public Library (@ Sebastopolooza)

Nov. 14 - Puckett Public Library

The money raised by these FRIENDS' groups will go to support programming or even to purchase books at their Libraries. Any one of these groups would be glad for you to join them for a small annual membership fee and all the money goes back into the Library!

Many of the CMRLS Libraries have on-going FRIENDS' Book Sales. Call your local Library to see if they have one, and "be more than a patron, be a FRIEND." Support your Library!

Back to School!

It's that time...we are thinking about school supplies and clothes and uniforms. Remember that a Library Card is the BEST TOOL for SCHOOL that you can get for the money! It's FREE! Check out the after school programs, craft projects, book clubs, Internet, etc. The Library can be used more that just when you have a book report! Ask staff for help with research, homework help, and even helping you find a good book to read.

Here's hoping you have a very successful school year and that we can be of help!

Summer Reading 2009!

Be Creative!

Try this trial database

from EBSCO for the

next 30 days,

it's very creative!

Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center!

Watch the CMRLS blogs all summer
for new and creative website finds!

Feel free to leave your comments concerning
this resource.

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.

A GREAT Statement for today!

National Library Week 2009 is almost at its close!

Worlds Connect @ your library, is a theme we can look at so many different ways. A world of people can obviously 'connect' @ your library, but better yet, the Peoples of the world can 'connect'. Anyone can go into the library and learn about any Peoples; their beliefs, their struggles, their accomplishents! Too deep? Maybe, but very true!

I found this quote attributed to Lady Bird Johnson in an email I received today. "Perhaps NO place in ANY community is so Totally democratic as the town Library. The only entrance requirement is Interest."

The couple of minutes that I spent Googling this quote did not give me the reason, date, or location of this statement by our late First Lady; and the quote sent to me was not emboldened or italicized as you see it quoted here. I just let my knowledge, however limited, of the First Lady's Southern drawl and my interpretation of the quote give it the emphasis I feel she must have meant! Forgive me, but I can see and hear it very clearly in the archived video that plays in my head. I'm sure that she most probably was speaking to a group standing in a garden outside a new building, maybe even a new library, and wearing a pastel outfit with a white handbag in the crook of her elbow, pine trees in the background...oh, sorry, probably too much information!

It is a great quote, and is really fitting for today when everyone thinks the word democratic can only be spelled with a "capitol D". It must have sounded grand in that drawl!

What's happening @ Forest Library?

Forest Library will be CLOSED beginning April 20 for move to a temporary location. Watch the Forest Library website and this blog for information regarding opening and availability. Watch this blog for pictures of the progress, also!

What's happening @ your Forest Library? A temporary location has been chosen. The boxes will be packed; the temporary location will be prepped; the boxes will be unloaded and the books put on the shelves. The temporary location will open and construction on the new library will begin soon!

To check out the closest CMRLS libraries, visit Morton Library, Lake Library, Pelahatchie Library, or Brandon Library for needed library resources. However, your CMRLS library card is good in all four counties, 20 libraries - Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. Take a look at all CMRLS libraries, you may want to visit others!

Have a little patience, the Forest Library will be up and running very soon! We hope the excitement of watching the construction of the NEW LIBRARY will help everyone understand this temporary inconvenience.

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!

Look at Next Good Book!

Next Good Book is found on the CMRLS website and can be used with or without signing up for an account. You will find new book lists on the CMRLS Bookshelves for "Living on a Shoestring", "Resumes and Interviews", and "Looking for a Job or Career". These CMRLS Bookshelves contain lists of books found in your libraries. You can search for books by subject or check out the New York Times Bestseller lists or dozens of different awards lists. Click on "Catalog" in any of the lists and request that book be sent to your library. If CMRLS doesn't have the book, speak to your library staff about requesting the book through I-L-L.

By signing up for a FREE account with Next Good Book you can comment on books you've read, read comments by others, and even keep a list of books you've read or want to read (and decide if you want to share your list with friends). If you need help setting up an account, just ask your library staff! Happy reading!

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!