Did you have a LEGO Christmas?

Some of you may have been lucky this year and gotten your favorite Lego kit. Have you ever wondered where Legos started? Here is an article about the history of Legos from World Book Online which can be accessed from your library website.

While there are many exhibits around the world, we have our own Lego exhibit right here in the Brandon Library loaned to us by Jeff, Dori Ann, and Thomas Paczak. Come by before the end of January to see it for yourself.

Also come join us for Duplo Free Play at 11:30 a. m. Wednesday, January 8, and Lego Free Play at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 9.

Happy New Year from the Brandon Library!

The Vision is 2020 at the Pearl Public Library!

December programming at the Pearl Public Library which included great crafts and a wonderful Christmas program, Christmas Carols with Santa featuring the Pearl Northside Singers, proved to be a strong finish for the year!

BUT the new year is upon us in just a few days! This is an exciting one too!

 2020! A WHOLE NEW DECADE!  WOOHOO!

And, as always the Pearl Public Library has YOU in sight and mind! The vision is sharp and so is the program lineup! All programs are FREE!

Simply Crafts offers a DIY project every first Tuesday of every month at 6 p.m.  January's is a crafty Notebook Calendar on Tues. Jan. 7. All materials are furnished and no reservation is needed! 

BINGO for BOOKS is every second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. Come join the fun for the chance to win free books, DVDs and video games and enjoy light refreshments on Thurs. Jan. 9!

A great source of free entertainment is the Pearl Library's monthly Third Thursday Flicks at 5:45 p.m. January's movie is HOOSIERS featuring Gene Hackman on Thurs. Jan. 16! It's a free movie on the big screen and light refreshments come with it!

How-To Tuesday is featured every third Thursday at 6 p.m.!  For January's offering learn about the City of Pearl while playing Pearl-Opoly Tues. Jan.21!

And, there's so much more!

Only a few programs are featured here in this blog, but you can find ALL January programs (adult, children and family), not only for the Pearl Public Library, but all 20 libraries of the Central MS Regional Library System (CMRLS) at http://cmrls.evanced.info/signup.

So, plan on attending some of these wonderful January programs! 

Or just stop on by to visit! Here is an idea! Make it a New Year's resolution to spend more time at your local library.   Speaking of New Year's resolutions, if yours is getting more physically fit, you definitely want to stop by. The Pearl Library has a wonderful collection of FIT KITS available for FREE checkout! Uh-huh! Didn't I tell you we always have you in mind?

Don't miss out!

We'll see you there!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE PEARL PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF!

Holiday Hours, Winter Reading Challenge, & Talking Book Services

Closing Times:  All CMRLS branches will close at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, December 23 and return to normal hours Thursday, December 26.  For the New Year’s holiday, branches will close at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 31 and return to normal hours Thursday, January 2.

Winter Reading Challenge:  Sign up on Beanstack for our Winter Reading Challenge, which will run from January 1-31!  However, you can start registering Monday, December 23. Participants in the Reading Challenge will receive fine forgiveness. Start logging your books January 1. When you read four books will be entered into a drawing for a $50 gift card.  If you read another four books, you get another entry. And if you read a total of 12 books for the month, your name goes into the drawing 3 times. Plus, you receive a CMRLS Perks sheet giving you $5 FREE fines, 10 free black and white copies and 10 free color copies as a thank you from CMRLS for your support of your local library.

Talking Book Services: If you are unable to read standard print because of a visual, physical, or organic reading disability, ask about registering for our free talking book service!  The Mississippi Library Commission provides eligible patrons with a digital audio device and a large catalogue of fiction and non-fiction books and magazines for all ages.

January Events for Morton Library

On January 9 at  5 p.m.

We will be having Family Story Time!

The theme will be  Winter/Snow.

We will be reading stories, singing songs and making a snowman craft.

On January 16 at 5 p.m.

We will be having a K-6 Lego challenge.

We are going to make Lego displays  to go in the Library.

On Januray 23 at 5 p.m. 

We will be having a Teen Event.

We will be making glass suncatchers!

Please come join us for these fun events.

They are all free to attend.

Party Time at the Brandon Library!

The celebrations keep on coming here at the Brandon Library! On Thursday, December 19 at 10:30 a.m., our Genealogy Club and DNA Club are joining together for their annual Christmas Party! 

The Creative Crafters will also be having their annual Christmas Party on Thursday, December 19th at 6:00 p.m. 

While you're here, come check out our Staff Picks display! We at the Brandon Library want to share some of our favorite titles with you this holiday season. 

One of Shirley's picks is Gregg Olsen's newest book, If You Tell. "I love mysteries and thrillers," Shirley says, "and this book is fantastic on both counts. I couldn't put it down."


Check here for the Goodreads summary, or put this book on hold through the CMRLS catalog here!

Summer, on the other hand, is living for The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater. She says, "I am totally obsessed with this series. I just finished it and I already want to read it all over again."

Check here for the Goodreads summary, or put this book on hold through the CMRLS catalog here!

Who Knew Gingerbread Houses Are Literary Based?

It is unclear the exact origins of gingerbread. 

Ginger is native to Asia, and gingerbread was eaten during the 11^th century Crusades; however, it was the Germans in the 14^th century who made gingerbread the wonderful holiday treat that is celebrated by so many at Christmas. 

Most likely, the Brothers Grimm are responsible for the popularity of gingerbread houses. It is possible that the sugar confections were constructed before the Grimm’s fairytale Hansel and Gretel was published; but thanks to the continued obsession with this tale, gingerbread houses have remained candy-coated creations of yummy goodness. 

The teens at Forest Public Library continue the tradition by creating their very own gingerbread houses. We librarians credit the Brothers Grimm and their tale of a cannibalistic witch for making gingerbread houses the popular holiday activity that everyone enjoys!

What Would The Holiday Season Be Without Joyful Songs?

Well, come on now! That would be pretty bad!

That's why the Pearl Public Library wants to do their part in putting sweet songs in your heart!

THAT'S RIGHT! 

SO, the Library invites you and the whole family to celebrate the holiday season with the musical stylings of the Pearl Northside Singers Tues. Dec. 10 at 5:30 in Christmas Carols with Santa!

The night, of course, includes the big, jolly guy so get your cameras ready to snap a sweet photo of your little angel with Santa!

There will be pizza donated by Pizza Shack of Jackson, dessert and drinks as long as the supply lasts!

And, it's all FREE and no reservation is needed!

Plan on coming by for lots of cheer and great music!

We'll see you there!

Hearing how Patrons are Thankful for the Pearl Public Library Makes this Holiday Season Extra Special!

During the month of November patrons had an opportunity to tell why they are Thankful for the Pearl Public Library. 

We really appreciate those who participated.

You know. Working in a library gives staffers an extraordinary opportunity to, not only help people, but welcome them into an environment that some of them have never been in. And, believe me, a library can be intimidating to some people. So when a librarian can make a patron smile, put them at ease, while assisting them, it's something that a patron just might let someone know about!

WELL! THEY DID!

Here are just a few of the "Thankful" comments:

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"I am thankful for the library because of the kindness and thoughtfulness of the staff."

"PEARL LIBRARY. WAY TO GO! YOU GUYS HAVE A VERY HELPFUL STAFF! VERY FRIENDLY!"

"A very good place for the kids to learn, and I can access my information without kids worrying me at home. LOL. Thank you."

"I am thankful for the library because it gives everyone opportunities to read books for free or have access to the computer and internet. Reading makes you smarter and everyone here is so nice, feels like home. I am very thankful for the Pearl Library."

"I am thankful for this library because it has helped me accomplish many, many things."

"I am very thankful for the Pearl Library. The staff is The Best."

"Best library in U.S.A. Thank you ALL."

"I am thankful for the wonderful and cheerful workers!!"

"I thank the crew at this library. It is the Best in the County. Nice and very kind, professional in all areas."

"Great Place to study! Staff is Great!"

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Well, we think the patrons are GREAT, and we are so very thankful for each and every one of you!

So, please, keep coming in! Let your friends and family know just how much the Pearl Public Library has to offer and about the quality of our services!

Don't forget about all our programs too! Visit https://cmrls.lib.ms.us/ and click on Events to view programming for all 20 Central Mississippi Regional Library System libraries.

We'll see you there!

Turkey, Ducks, and Puppets, oh my!

Now that the turkey has been eaten, and sales have been attended, the Brandon Library is looking forward to celebrating the Holiday Season. This is definitely a party month for us. Be sure to check the calendar so that you don’t miss any of the fun.

If you have a few minutes this weekend while the library is closed, take a stroll through City Park behind the library and read The Twelve Days of Christmas by Susan Jeffers. We change the story every month so there is always something new to read.

You have a few more days to find your Library Duck! You can come every day through Friday, December 6. We will have the drawing for the Library Duck Hunt at the Puppet Show on Saturday, December 7. The winner of the drawing will receive a $100 gift card. This event is sponsored by the Friends of the Brandon Library. Thank you, Friends!

Saturday, December 7 at 1:00 p.m. in addition to the Duck Drawing, we will have a CMRLS Christmas Puppet Show and afterwards we will make some yummy wreaths out of donuts!  At the end of the program, we will all go to the park and read the Story Walk.

We have decorated the library and if you would like to take family pictures, you are welcome to come by during library hours.

Monday-Thursday, 10:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m.

Friday, 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.