THE PEARL PUBLIC LIBRARY STRIKES A MUSICAL CHORD OF PRESTIGIOUS, SMITHSONIAN MAGNITUDE

New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music, in a six Mississippi cities tour, will be showcased at the Pearl Public Library, a branch of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, from Thurs. July 21 – Thurs. Sept. 1, 2011.

New Harmonies is part of the Smithsonian’s Museum on Main Street (MOMS) program. MOMS serves small-to-medium-sized communities by bringing Smithsonian –quality exhibits to local museums, historical societies, libraries and community centers that traditionally have limited access to traveling exhibitions due to space and cost limitations.

A portable seven-kiosk, interactive exhibit, New Harmonies offers a look and listen to various genres and styles of phenomenal music birthed only in America with Mississippi, naturally, among the top of the shining stars.

The exhibit, sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution in Washington D.C., the Mississippi Humanities Council, and the Pearl Public Library, is composed of three dimensional display panels and covers 900 feet of floor space. Exhibit hours will be Mondays – Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Fridays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

But hold on! The Pearl Public Library is not waiting until July 21 to start the exhibit excitement. The library has teamed up with the Mississippi Braves at Trustmark Park in Pearl for Blues, BBQ and Baseball, Friday – Sunday, July 15 – 17. The gates will open 6 p.m., 5p.m. and 4 p.m. respectively. Acorn, the library mascot will be available for photographs. Come on and hang out with the gang!

To kickoff the opening of the exhibit, a grand opening ribbon cutting will be held at the library Thurs, July 21 at 10 a.m. Live music and refreshments for everyone!

Enthusiastically embracing the musical theme, the Pearl Public Library has planned local exhibits such as Musical Excellence in Pearl High School, a memorabilia travel through decades of Pearl High’s School band and choral programs and Rankin County Stars, a look at famous musicians from Rankin County, that will be featured during the exhibit.

On Sat. July 23, the library is hosting New Harmonies in the Park at the City of Pearl Park from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be tons of fun, music from local greats as well as rising stars and food. But that’s not all. There will be a Pearl’s Got Talent contest. With a limit of 30 contestants, you must register.

As if that’s not enough, numerous musically themed adult and children’s programs will also coincide with the exhibit during the summer.

For more information, contact Mara Villa at 601-932-2562 or email her at rcbm@cmrls.lib.ms.us.

Keep Mississippi's Waters Clean

Join us at the Flowood Library on Saturday, May 14th at 10:00 am to hear a special presentation by the Mississippi Wildlife Federation. A representative will discuss the state of Mississippi's waterways and what you can do to ensure that they are kept clean and safe. The Mississippi Adopt-a-Stream project will be explained and refreshments will be served. Learn what you can do to protect the beautiful natural resources in Mississippi.

Come Travel With Us!

Summer Reading is almost here and we would like for you to join the fun! All children K-6th grade, teens and adults are invited to participate. This year's theme is all about travel destinations. We invite you to come tour the world with us through our different programs. We will look forward to seeing you! Registration begins May 16th for all groups.

Brown Bag Lunch @ Pearl

This exciting program is an opportunity to learn about MS Native Pollinators. Bring a sack lunch. Drinks and dessert are provided by the Friends of the Pearl Library. For more information, please contact the library at 601-932-2562. Hope to see you there!

Simply Crafts!

Join us at the Pearl Library Tuesday, May 10 at 6:00 P.M. for our monthly Simply Crafts night. This month, we will be making the jar pictured. This event is free of charge. Hope to see you there!

Chapter One Book Club @ Pearl

Come join us this Thursday, May 5 at 6:30PM for Chapter One Book Club at the Pearl Public Library. In lieu of selecting a specific book this month, it's "Reader's Choice"! Come discuss a book you've been reading lately and get suggestions and recommendations from other members. We hope to see you there!