The Solar Eclipse May Have Darkened things for a Bit, But the Light Is Shining Brightly Now on the Pearl Library's HIGHLIGHT Adult Programs! s

   Starting with last night's  Personal Safety & Situational Awareness, a big August highlight, free program featuring Madison County Sheriff Deputy and Senior Director for St. Dominic's Health Services,  Bill Scruggs at 6 p.m. Let's check in with Amy to see how it went!
    Amy Lee, who heads up all the Pearl Library's adult programming was SOLD! She thought Mr. Scruggs' presentation was right on point and a huge help to everyone that attended. 
     "The Pearl public library is honored to have had such a wonderful talk presented by Mr. Scruggs and St. Dominic's "New directions for over 55" program," she said. "This program and Mr. Scrugg's information was very essential to me.  In today's world, ensuring safety everywhere you go is key.  Most important, you have to make sure you have a plan in place so you can be prepared in any situation.

Let's segue right into September. It's the month when the season of fall begins, leaves are falling, people smiling and wonderful library treats are on hand! September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Amy has designed a drawing for the event. Every time you use your library card or sign up for another one, you earn an entry in the drawing to receive a FABULOUS PRIZE! Don't miss out!  Note:  If you have had a card before,there is a replacement fee of $3.00 to get a new one.

Another big hit will be a free Magnolia Healthy Presentation at the Pearl Library entitled My Route To Health, Thursday, Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. A free health book that has a journal, calendar and diet and exercise plan. Can't beat that with a stick!

Calls Pour Into the Pearl Library As Anxious and Excited Patrons Await Total Solar Eclipse!

Poor Carolyn, Katrina and Beverly - Circulation Librarians! One call after the other, here at the Pearl Library, today after broadcast television news help spread the word that some libraries would be giving out eclipse glasses.  The same response to eager callers. "Yes, We will be giving out eclipse glasses. Not today though."

" We've had 91 calls so far today Katrina excitingly tells a blog writer. I bet 80 of them have been about the glasses folks thought we were giving out today.

SORRY!  NOT TODAY!. NOT TOMORROW!. NOT THE NEXT OR THE NEXT!  

ECLIPSE GLASSES WILL BE GIVEN OUT ON MONDAY, AUG. 21. STARTING  AT 9:00 A.M. WHEN THE LIBRARY OPENS. LIMITED SUPPLY! 

But one thing is for sure, you just can't beat that wonderful feeling of community coming together for a common interest!   2017 Total Solar Eclipse! HERE WE COME!!!

After all, according to NASA statistics, at https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov, it's been 38 years since we've been treated to such a glorious moment! A total Solar Eclipse is a celestial event, a solar eclipse in which the moon passes between the sun and Earth and blocks all or part of the sun for up to about three hours, from beginning to end, as viewed from a given location.  For this eclipse, the longest period when the moon completely blocks the sun from any given location along the path will be about two minutes and 40 seconds.  The last time the contiguous U.S. saw a total eclipse was in 1979.


Don't miss out! Watch the Total Solar Eclipse! Just be safe! Don't forget the GLASSES!!!!

First Coding Camp held at Brandon Library

The Brandon Public Library had great success with their first-ever Coding Camp! Ten children from age 8 to 13 participated in the camp, July 24-July 27.

The children used the coding utility “Scratch” to build projects and even their own games. Branch Manager Linda Wolfe would take five to ten minutes before each computer session to teach the kids about different aspects of coding, and then Reference Specialist William Simmons led them through computer sessions. They learned how to make their own versions of art-making programs and how to make a musical program and their own music. They created and played their own video games, and then moved into more complicated coding to make their games more elaborate. The last day had their favorite session, “Sound Party,” where the children got to create animations that reacted to different songs that they played through the code!

In between computer sessions, we had the children do hands-on activities that applied aspects of coding without the computer. The children had to write out very specific instructions in order to “code” their partners in cup stacking games, graph paper replicas, and tangrams. Their final activity was a treasure hunt, which taught them how bugs in code could lead them in circles, much like a frozen computer. Even their snack times involved real-life coding and debugging problems!

At the end of each day, they got to use the Maker Space Snap Circuit kits to make their own tiny electrical circuits. They worked together on specialty kits, and after using the instruction booklet to gain a basic understanding of how the kits worked, competed with one another to see how fast they could build their own circuits. They also tried the game Littlcodr, which required them to use coding cards to direct their partner through their own designed obstacle courses.

Maker Space Kits were available through an LSTA grant from the Mississippi Library Commission. This program was funded by Priority One Bank and the Friends of the Brandon Library. Thank you for your support.

All in all, everyone had a blast learning to code at the Brandon Library. We can’t wait to do it again!

THE PEARL LIBRARY DROPS THE MIKE WITH HOT ADULT PROGRAMS STARTING SATURDAY!

BOOK SIGNING SATURDAY, AUG. 5 FROM 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Some Pearl Library staffers have known Cyrus Webb a looooooong time. So, let me start by saying, " CONGRATULATIONS, CYRUS!" 

His new book, Words They Choose to Live By, is sure to be a hit! But, I must note that it's rare to see Cyrus so out there struttin' all his stuff even if it is the cover of his own book He's more of the type that wants everyone else to shine! Well, it really is out of his comfort zone he shared with a friend.

And just who is that all hugged up on him ? Cyrus looks pretty comfortable with that! LOL! Lord have mercy, JESUS! It's Chandra Currelley of Tyler Perry For Better or Worse and Madea fame. She's also quite the accomplished songstress and lives in Atlanta! She and Cyrus have become big friends. GO, CYRUS!

Yeah, if you know Cyrus, and, as I said earlier, many of us at the Pearl Library do.  Well, then you know him as shy, sweet, humble, ultimately mild-mannered and totally unassuming. He's mainly a behind the scenes guy. That's where he makes the magic happen.   We are absolutely thrilled he is kicking off his first book signing for Words They Choose to Live By right here! That's Saturday, Aug. 5, from 11:00 a.m to 1:00 p.m., and sponsored by the Friends of the Pearl Library.

Filled with words of inspiration from celebrities that Cyrus, Conversations LIVE radio host of 14 years, has interviewed throughout the years, the book Words They Choose to Live By, sequels his earlier publication of Words I Choose to Live BY where Cyrus offers his own daily nuggets of encouragement and wisdom.  

Cyrus has built a great "rapport" with People like country music icon,Billy Ray Cyrus and talk show host - of Entertainment Tonight fame - Leeza Gibbons.  They are in the book too! These are simply a few of the voices in his newest book, Words They Choose to Live By. There are 30 high profile celebrities he has interviewed who have taken the power of words to find success in their fields. The book signing will be sponsored by the Friends of the 

Words They Choose to Live By goes on sale on Amazon.com Tuesday August 1, 2017. Copies of the book are $12 or you can purchase 2 for only $20. 

     
Webb has built an online following that includes over 25,000 through Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram, and over 8 million views on Google +. The message of the Conversations brand is simply "Feeding Your Love of Life."

    
In addition to his radio program Conversations LIVE, Webb is also the host of the television show Cyrus Webb Presents, President of Conversations Book Club and Editor-In-Chief of Conversations Magazine. Webb lives in Brandon, Mississippi.

   
For more information contact Cyrus Webb at cawebb4@juno.com or at 601.896.5616. You can also stay updated on his website www.cyruswebb.com.

PERSONAL SAFETY & SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, 

THURS.,  AUG. 24 at 6 p.m.

Who doesn't think about personal safety these days?  Great job, Amy, the library's adult coordinator on securing this gem! St. Dominic's "New Directions for Over 55" Program will present a free program for all adults on personal safety, situational awareness, and how you can protect yourself against situations, such as identity theft. No reservation required.

We'll see you there!