Celebrate Spring @ Your Library

Celebrate Spring @ Your Library

Spring is here! And, it’s time to celebrate!

The Brandon Public Library will be hosting Celebrate Spring @ Your Library on April 23 from 10-4. Many free activities will be available for the family.

Come see our Antique Car Show. Bring your camera and/or your antique car.  Enjoy meeting other antique car owners. No entrance fee is required. 

Step back in time to the 19^th century as you take a walking tour of the Rankin County Historical Society Museum. These historical buildings, a house and a general store, will be open for the day and will provide a snapshot of life in the era of pioneers.

The Children’s Department will have activities for kids in the children’s area of the library. There will be activities celebrating Money Smart Week that starts April 23. We will also have Free Duplo Play and Free Lego Play during the day.

Bring your IRS documents, your divorce decrees, and all your other sensitive documents to the library starting April 23. The Friends of the Brandon Public Library is introducing The Shredder to the community. The Shredder is a new shredding service that will be offered free of charge. If you want to take your shredded documents home with you, then trash bags are available at $1.00 a bag.

Come join us for our Spring Book Sale. Used books and other items will be on sale Friday, April 22, from 10 to 5, and Saturday, April 23, from 10 to 4. Bag Day will be Tuesday April 26, from 10-8. On bag day, you can buy books for $5 a bag or $10 a box. The Friends of the Brandon Library sponsor the sale and proceeds will go to support your library.

On Saturday, the Friends will have hot dogs, chips, popcorn, water, and sodas available for sale. All proceeds will benefit the Brandon Library.

During the week of April 11-16, we celebrated National Library Week. First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. 

The Brandon Public Library is a public research facility where you can check out books, DVDs, audio books, cake pans, and other items free of charge. Free eBooks and music are available through our website at www.cmrls.lib.ms.us. Let us help you get started today.

We provide public access computers with free internet access. Free WiFi is also available at no cost to you. Fax and scanning services are available for $1 per page.

For our college students, the Brandon Public Library proctors exams.  Students, with prior arrangement with their professors, can take exams here at the library. There is no charge for this service. 

We listen to the needs of the community.  The Brandon Public Library is now offering Notary Services.  This service will be provided by the FOBL and will be available Monday thru Friday and even Saturday by appointment. There will be a minimal fee of $3.

Check out our monthly Calendar of Events available at the Circulation Desk. When you are here April 23, sign up for our free eNewsletter that includes all the events here at the library. Don’t be left out of all the fun! 

We are committed to offering you a high quality of service for your information needs. Come in and let us help you!

Brandon Public Library is part of Central Mississippi Regional Library System, which serves the public libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith Counties. The library is located at 1475 West Government Street in Brandon. We are open Monday – Thursday 10-8, Friday 10-5, and Saturday 10-4. You can reach us at Brandon@cmrls.lib.ms.us or 601-825-2672.

NWR Art Show Awards!

Winners Announced for NWRHS Art & Community Studio

The Art and Community Studio Classes of Northwest Rankin High School held it's 2nd annual artist's reception at the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library on April 11th.

The theme, "Mississippi Landscapes," was inspired by Albert Smathers of Mississippi College and Mrs. Teresa Aikens of Northwest Rankin High School. They have worked together for the last 8 years. Smathers, a professional artist with over 30 years experience, visited the high school earlier this year to demonstrate his renowned techniques. His visit was so exhilarating for the students, Arts and Community Studio instructor Teresa Aikens, encouraged the students to take photographs of their favorite Mississippi locals and turn them into stunning works of art.

"This exhibit is part of the focus of the Art and Community Studio Classes," Aikens said. "The students work hard to make their art a visible part of the community." She added that in addition to the annual library exhibit of student paintings, the class also partners with community businesses and organizations to create artwork for permanent installations.

Mrs. Aikens with her winning students (R to L): 
 3rd Place winner Kanch Brooks
1st Place winner Estefania Armendariz
2nd Place winner Quinn Gordon 

"This year, so many of our patrons engaged with the paintings, choosing their favorite and casting a vote," Ashley Biggs, Branch Manager of the G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library said. "The students, parents, school faculty, and library patrons had a wonderful time mingling at the reception and awards ceremony. It will be exciting to see those patrons who voted come back to see which pieces were be selected."

As part of the exhibit, which was installed on March 1st, library patrons were encouraged to vote for their favorite pieces. Nearly 100 votes were cast. Paintings will hang until April 30th. 

   

The library looks forward to hosting more paintings in the coming years! 

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!

It is National Library Week!

This is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and library workers and to promote library use and support. From free access to books and online resources for families to library business centers that help support entrepreneurship and retraining, libraries offer opportunity to all. The theme for 2016 National Library Week is "Libraries Transform."

First sponsored in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries across the country each April. It is a time to celebrate the contributions of our nation's libraries and librarians and to promote library use and support. All types of libraries - school, public, academic and special - participate. Check the online calendar to see what is offered at your Library this special week!

Chapter 1 Book Club Enters Lively "Kingdom" at Pearl!

Patsy has picked a really great book for her next Chapter 1 Book Club meeting on Tuesday, April 12 at 6 p.m. at the Pearl Public Library.

Kingdom of Fear: Loathsome Secrets of a Star-Crossed Child in the Final Days of the American Century is by journalist Hunter S. Thompson.  It's a lively recounting of Thompson's hard-driven life as a rebel who marched to the beat of his own drum. Thompson is credited with creating "Gonzo journalism" a personalized style of reporting that puts the writer at the center of the story.

Thompson was born in Louisville, KY on July 18, 1937.  His life included a frequent use of drugs and a passion for firearms.  Suffering from health problems, and depression Thompson committed suicide in 2005. He was 67.

Don't miss this Chapter 1 Book Club! You can see it's going to be a really good one as always!

It's a free adult program, and remember, you don't have to be a member to come join in the discussion. Light refreshments and door prizes provided.

We'll see you there!

(Note: The Chapter 1 Book Club has changed nights from the second Thursday of every month at 6 p.m. to the second Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m.)