Discover Gale Virtual Reference Library

 

Find a Wealth of Information in a Few Clicks with eBooks on Gale Virtual Reference Library

Easy to access through a Google Chrome app and save content directly to Drive

Gale eBooks on CMRLS is a one-stop learning destination for all of your ready reference needs! Let’s look at a few examples.

Here’s a familiar scenario: a high school student is writing a paper about Bill Gates. They are only allowed one internet source, and need book sources. What a perfect use of GVRL!  Sure, the database is accessed via the Internet, but the sources themselves are books. Glorious, full-text reference books!

A GVRL search returns two of the full-text reference books; both of the volumes have entries for Bill Gates. The student is skeptical – the entries looks like an internet print-off and they are worried that their teacher won’t believe that it really, truly, is from a book. No worries, just click on the “View PDF” link at the top of the Bill Gates entry and the screen changes to look like the entry from the print edition, just as if the student had photo-copied the page from the book itself.

There is even a “Listen” button. Press the triangle “Play” button and listen to the entry read by a computerized voice. It’s a nice voice – not overly robotic and with excellent pronunciation (not like your incomprehensible caller ID announcer; more like a real, human voice!)

Now, would the student like a citation of this source? Of course they would! Click on “Citation Tools” on the right side of the screen and choose from MLA or APA styles. You can even save the citation to one of a number of online options like EasyBib, EndNote, or ProCite.

The student doesn’t have to check out this eBook or any eBooks. They can access CMRLS’s full collection through our website Gale eBooks, or download the “Gale eBooks” Google Chrome app. After their first login with his library credentials, they can authenticate and login with his Google account credentials. Once logged in with Google, they can save articles or article highlights directly to Google Drive for future use.

The student is now ready to write their paper. Meanwhile, their parent has been watching this interaction and pipes in with a question of their own. “Is there anything in there about hypertension? This kid is giving me high blood pressure!” Yes, indeed, the GVRL has many eBooks on health topics. You can click “medicine” on the homepage of the database or just search key terms. 

Now, the parent is onboard with GVRL too, and gets excited. “I’m thinking about opening my own business. Are there books in this database to help me get started?” Yes, yes, yes! There are eBooks on business plans, e-commerce, and more. There are search limiters on the right side of the page as well, to really narrow the search to relevant topics, sources, and document types. One of the document types listed is “statistical data,” which is extremely useful in this kind of research!

It is even possible to translate articles into a variety of languages, making this a truly accessible resource. You can even download the MP3 to listen to an article offline.

This database is an extremely practical and relevant and accessible to you 24/7. Access Gale eBooks on GVRL from our library’s website CMRLS: Gale eBooks Should you have any questions, please contact our customer service at CMRLS.

 

 

Let's Celebrate Picture Book Month!

Celebrate Picture Book Month

    Children’s librarians LOVE picture books. They are perfect for teaching a lesson or a moral in thirty-two pages, and the illustrations can be as close to Art on the page, as Art on the walls. They are also great read aloud and acted out by the reader. Picture books pull young readers in when they are little and can make them life-long readers and learners

    There are not too many picture books that I do not like. I would like to highlight a few that I have enjoyed sharing in previous story times. Personally, I enjoy picture books that make me laugh aloud. One of those books is This is Not my Hat by Jon Klassen. A mischievous fish takes a hat from a much larger fish and “thinks” he is getting away with it. Let us just say the results do not fare well for the mischievous fish.

    I also like books that are fun to read aloud. Wet Dog by Elise Broach is hilarious. If you have a thick, southern drawl like I do, and read the antics of this hound, the kids go nuts. The illustrations are so bright and vibrant the kiddos are at once taken with it. The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith is funny as well. The repetition and tongue twists can be a challenge for the reader but are great fun for the listener. Another author, Mo Willem, is great whether you want to read about Elephant and Piggie, or that crazy Pigeon. The books are perfect for early readers because they are funny, relatively short, and children can relate to the characters.

    So, what picture books do you enjoy? Have I left off your favorites? Of course, I have! I could mention books by Seuss, Carle, Bunting, Mayer, Potter, Wood, Henkes, Brown, but I just wanted to highlight a few of my favorites. I encourage parents to take the time to read to your children while they are young. Doing so, could be the difference between a reader and a non-reader.

 

Veteran's Day Closing

 CMRLS Veteran's Day Closing: 

All CMRLS libraries and administrative office will close Thursday, November 11, 2021 in observance of Veteran's Day. We will reopen at our regular hours on November 12, 2021

International Games Week

         International Games Week started out as a simple idea, can you set a world record by having the most number of people playing the same game, at the same time, on the same day at libraries around the world? Jenny Levine and Scott Nicholson sparked the idea in 2007. They called it National Game Day. In 2012, the name changed from National Games Day to International Games Day, then in 2017, it changed names again to what we now know, International Games Week. The event has grown to include all seven continents.

    The date for this year's International Games Week is November 7-13, 2021. During this week, libraries from around the world participate in local and international activities. The events vary by location. Past events would include a Rock Band concert, Mario Kart Tournaments, and simple board games. Things have changed a little bit with COVID-19. This year they have included some downloadable games for you to print out and play.

Below is the link to the PDF of all the Print and Play games:

 https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Czi51aZIl6hEq5wowFhILR_Quc90ZqxA/view

   International Games Week sponsors include:

American Library Association  https://www.ala.org/

Australian Library And Information Association   https://www.alia.org.au/

L'Associazione Italiana Biblioteche  https://internationalgamesdayitalia.wordpress.com/

Nordic Game Week    https://nordicgameday.wordpress.com/

Finnish Games Week  https://nordicgameday.wordpress.com/category/finland/

For more information about International Games Week and the sponsors visit the following website:

https://games.ala.org/international-games-week/

    Did you know that your library system has games for the following systems; Wii Gaming Console, Playstation Gaming Console, Xbox Gaming Consoles, and the Nintendo Gaming Systems? If you are 18 and older, all you need is a current library card. You are allowed to check out 2 games at a time and you are allowed to keep them for one (1) week. As the systems change, we strive to keep up with the current games. 

   On a personal note, games have evolved since I was a child. My first gaming system was the old Atari system. We loved that game system. My children have grown up with the Super Nintendo to the Nintendo Switch and much more. Now both of my youngest boys play RPG online with their friends and people all across the county. There is something to be said about the classic board games. When the weather gets bad and we think the lights are going to go out, we break out the battery-powered lanterns and some of our favorite board games. 

   Did you have a favorite board game or a favorite video game as a child? Do you play games on your phone/tablet, if so, what are some of your favorite games?

Photo Credit: https://games.ala.org/igw_promos/

New Branch Manager at Sebastopol

Sebastopol Public Library has a new branch manager! Ms. Carolyn Price is very happy to meet her new patrons and to serve the community in Sebastopol. Sebastopol Public library is located at: 17403 Highway 21 North Sebastopol, MS 39359. Please stop by and take advantage of all the great services our Sebastopol branch has to offer!

Sebastopol Hours: 

Monday
CLOSED

Tuesday
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Wednesday
CLOSED

Thursday
9:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
12:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Friday – Sunday
CLOSED

 

Happy Retirement to Ms. Joyce Bradshaw!

A retirement reception was held in honor of Joyce Bradshaw, Branch Manager of the Polkville Public Library on October 28, 2021. Ms. Bradshaw has been a valued and devoted staff member of Central Mississippi Regional Library System for more than sixteen years. She was awarded a plaque of service from both CMRLS Director Mara V. Polk, and the Mayor of Polkville, Robert W. Miles.  Ms. Bradshaw is looking forward to continue serving the library as a Friend of the Library. Thank you to the Polkville Friends of the Library for hosting the reception. 

Joyce Bradshaw with Polkville Mayor, Robert W. Miles

CMRLS Director Mara V. Polk, Coordinator of Branch Service Kimberly Cook, Smith County Board of Trustee Mrs. Margie Harper

Mara V. Polk (CMRLS Director) and Ms. Bradshaw

Joyce Bradshaw and family

Ms. Bradshaw and grandchildren

Happy Retirement from CMRLS mascot Acorn!

World Book Online-Learning Anytime, Anywhere!

    As a valued CMRLS patron, your library card can offer more to you than just books. You have free access to our digital reference service called World Book Online. This wonderful learning tool is great for every member of your household, no matter the age. 

    The learning opportunities with World Book is nearly endless. Modules are divided into age groups, and continue into adult learning. Modules are also available in Spanish. Are you an educator? World Book offers educator tools such as, professional links, lesson plans, and Webquests. 

    Are you more of an interactive learner? With World Book Online Timelines you can travel virtually studying nearly every subject throughout history. An example would be, did you know author of Little Women,  Louisa May Alcott was also an artist? Her artwork "Hospital Sketches" was published in 1863. Four years later she became the editor of a girls' magazine called, "Merry's Museum". There is even a feature to create your own timeline. 

    If you need resources for distance learning, World Book Online is a valuable resource. Simply search your topic and begin learning. There are extra tools that help with research, citation building, headlines, government websites, and even interactive maps. All you need is your CMRLS library card and pin to get started. World Book Online is learning anytime, anywhere. Why not start today!

 

Janet Paczak Winner of Peggy May Award

 

Central Mississippi Regional Library System staff member Janet Paczak was awarded the Mississippi Library Association Peggy May award.The award is in honor of the late Peggy May's professional accomplishments, and to recognize individuals who exemplify her outstanding achievement in library development and/or recruitment of personnel to the library field. Janet Paczak is the Youth Services Assistant at the Brandon Public Library. 

For more information about the Peggy May award please visit: MLA

Friends of the Library Week

 

  We would like to dedicate this month's blog to everyone who has become a member of the Friends of the Library program.  We are very grateful for all of the hard work and dedication they put forward and are appreciative of all that they do for our library system.

Friends of the Library plays a vital role for all of our libraries across Central Mississippi.  They spend many  hours helping to arrange our book sale events and also host many fundraisers, as well as volunteering countless hours to help with our many needs.  They truly love what they are doing and it shows in all that they do. Many of the programs that we put together for our patrons would not be possible without the help of the volunteers from Friends of the Library.

If you would also like to become a part of this incredible group of volunteers, we ask that you consider becoming a member of the Friends of the Library program!  Young children and many of the communities throughout Central Mississippi depend on our library system to help their families thrive and grow, and Friends of the Library help to accomplish this goal.

The week of October 17-23 is the National Friends of the Library week.  If you are interested in becoming a part of the Friends of the Library Program, please contact your local CMRLS Library for more details.

Everyone at CMRLS would like to thank you for everything that you do!

CMRLS Winner of "Back in the Fold" Award

         

Central Mississippi Regional Library System

honored for Back in the Fold Award

New awards program by Unique Management Services celebrates impactful libraries 

Brandon, MS (October 2021) – Central Mississippi Regional Library System has been honored for its exceptional impact on the communities they serve. CMRLS earned the recognition through a new award program from Unique Management Services, the world’s leading library material recovery and patron communication services company. The awards celebrate impactful libraries that provide vital services, protect public assets and keep patrons in good standing.

The library system was awarded for its work to return a high percentage of patrons to good standing with the Back in the Fold honor. By bringing patrons ‘back in the fold,’ the library ensures continued use of its vital services and supports equity and accessibility in its community.

“All libraries deserve recognition for their unprecedented response this past year to provide vital services to their patrons and communities during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Unique President and CEO Nicole Atkins. “Unique developed this award program as a small way to say thank you, celebrating libraries and librarians like CMRLS for their constant dedication and meaningful impacts.”

Libraries face a difficult road ahead – already underfunded and looking at further drops due to pandemic-related budget cuts and reliance on city and county use taxes impacted by COVID-19. Recovering lost or unreturned books is more important now than ever to maintain budgets, limit the cost of material replacement and protect taxpayer dollars. As libraries evolve to maintain their collections as philosophies shift about fines, keeping patrons in good standing and securing the timely return of materials is essential to ensure access and equity.

"The public library is one of America's greatest institutions where everyone is welcome and has access. The CMRLS mission is to be a strong community partner that provides resources, services, and programs to foster creativity, curiosity, and lifelong learning. We value our relationship with our patrons and want them to always remember that the public library is one of their most valuable community investments. Bringing patrons "back to the fold" is a goal we strive to reach everyday through our materials, services and programs." said Mara V. Polk, Director of Central Mississippi Regional Library System.

Winners were chosen by Unique’s team who partner with more than 1350 libraries across the country to effectively recover materials while preserving patron goodwill. Libraries were categorized by size, region and volume to determine the top-performing partners who made the biggest impacts on their communities.

TeenTober

 

 This year’s theme for TeenTober is, “What will you discover at the library?” TeenTober is a month-long celebration by libraries every October to celebrate teens. TeenTober replaced Teen Read Week which allows all libraries the flexibility to celebrate all types of literacies. Visit your local library anytime during the year, especially during TeenTober and check out some of our programs and resources that we offer.

Our libraries have been collecting broken or old toys all through the month of September to make Frankentoys. Some branches may have in-person craft programs and other branches may offer a take-and-make craft for teens. You would take the damaged toys and make them into a super cool Frankentoy. It’s a great way to recycle toys without throwing them out in the garbage. After you are finished, share your creation to our Facebook page, Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS), and tag it with #cmrlsteentober. Please check with your local library for more info, or you can check out our Calendar of Events page on our website.

The topmost circulated books are.

One of is Lying by Karen M. McManus – For five students, a detour into detention ends in    murder.

The Hate You Give by Angie Thomas – A 16-year-old girl sees a police officer kill her friend.

The Crown by Kiera Cass - Eadlyn didn’t think she would find a real partner among the Selection’s thirty-five suitors, let alone true love. But sometimes the heart has a way of surprising you…and in The Crown, Eadlyn must make a choice that feels more difficult—and more important—than she ever expected.

 

Calendar of Events https://cmrls.evanced.info/signup

Flipster https://web.a.ebscohost.com/eon/search/basic?vid=0&sid=afe05d3c-75e2-49e2-a54f-8c4e2ca9786f%40sdc-v-sessmgr02

Freegal Music https://cmrls.freegalmusic.com/home

CloudLibrary https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/

Magnolia https://search.ebscohost.com

Library Catalog  https://cmissrls.ent.sirsi.net

 

 

Library Card Sign-Up Month

Marley Dias is this year's ALA spokesperson for Library Card Sign-Up Month

A library card may just be the most valuable card you will ever own in your wallet. The resources you can obtain with this one card is almost limitless. Wouldn't you want the same for your children or family members? Just think, with this one free card you can have access to books, materials, computers access, Wi-Fi, and the list goes on. 

Let's imagine that a family with limited education resources who suddenly obtains a card for each member. They can visit the library and in "quiet" travel to lands and universes. They can witness battles where good will conquer over evil and life long lessons learned. Maybe your child has a sudden interest on why the sky is blue and the grass is green. The answer is at the library. Yes, Google and other search engines are amazing, but it's more of a challenge and maybe more rewarding to find the answer inside a book. 

Pearl Public Library

                                   

Our libraries also offers more that just books. Movies, video games, exercise equipment, and even cake pans! Who knows what you will find to enjoy within the libraries of CMRLS. Best way to find out is visit your local library and see one of our friendly librarians who will start you on your library patron journey with your own library card. But wait, there is more! Digital resources galore! Want to read on the go? We have an app called cloudLibrary. You can see all that we have to offer and even sign up online to get your own digital library card. CMRLS is the place to start. We can't wait to see you at the library!

Banned Books Week

Yes Yes Yes, every year, we report on the same books that have been challenged (meaning not actually banned but was attempted to be removed or restricted based upon the objections of a person or group) or banned over the years.

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison

Animal Farm by George Orwell

The Harry Potter series by J. K. Rowlings

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison

But this year I wanted to focus on worldwide books that have been banned. 

D.H Lawrence's Lady Chatterley's Lover (1928), Jackie Collins's The Stud (1969) and Bret Ellis's American Psycho (1991) are among some of the books once banned in Australia.

In Ireland:

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley was banned in 1932, due to alleged references of sexual promiscuity.

Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger was banned in October 1951.

Borstal Boy by Brendan Behan was banned in 1958. The Irish Censorship of Publications Board was not obliged to reveal its reason but it is believed that it was rejected for its critique of Irish republicanism and the Catholic Church, and its depiction of adolescent sexuality.

The Country Girls by Edna O'Brien was banned by Ireland's censorship board in 1960 for its explicit sexual content.

The Lonely Girl by Edna O'Brien was banned in 1962 after Archbishop John Charles McQuaid complained personally to Justice Minister Charles Haughey that it "was particularly bad".

United Kingdom:

I thought this one was interesting:

Boy by James Hanley 

Hanley’s literary classic charts the short and brutish life of a boy who was unfairly neglected and forced out of school into the unforgiving world of work by his father. He escapes by running away to sea, but his exposure to the brutality that men are capable of only deepens his feelings of rejection. Narrated with unflinching language, it offers a visceral and acute observation of power imbalances. When Boy was initially published in the 1930s, it was prosecuted for obscenity due to the overtly violent writing and remained banned from 1935 until 1991. When the new British edition appeared in the early Nineties, there were significant omissions.  

In the 16th century, Spain had banned the Bible! But what is also interesting is that it has not been banned anywhere else. Challenged a lot? Yes!

If you really want to be bad you must read Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov or Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawerence. Both have been banned in more than 5 countries! 

Besides being challenged in the United States, Animal Farm by George Orwell was banned in Russia, Vietnam, and United Arab Emirates, and then some!

I would like to end with this quote from The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: 

Introducing our new eBook/Audiobook app cloudLibrary

 

We apologize for any inconvenience, but Axis360 is no longer available. Please download our new free service, cloudLibrary. Enjoy eBooks and Audiobooks on your electronic devices.* 

You can scan the QR code with your smart device, or go to Your cloudLibrary to sign up. You will need your library card number and pin to start this service. 

Compatible Devices:

A Message From CMRLS Director, Mara V. Polk

 

August 23, 2021 

 

Dear Valued Library Patrons: 

 

On behalf of our entire family of libraries, we want to thank you for your support during the past couple of months. We are especially thankful for the financial support from our government leadership in Rankin, Scott, Simpson and Smith Counties.  

 

Our Central Mississippi Regional Library System Board of Trustees and Library Team are committed to providing traditional library services as well as digital services which include access to eContent (eBooks and eAudios), Databases, and free Wi-Fi at all branches.  

 

Currently, all libraries are open and available to the public. Most libraries are all open at their pre-pandemic operating hours. Each branch has hand sanitizer and masks for patron and staff use. We are recommending that patrons and staff wear masks, but it is not required. Because of the popularity and demand, our libraries are still offering curbside services.

 

All book returns are open. All returned materials are cleaned before they are shelved. Study rooms/spaces and meeting rooms are available for use. All public access computers are available for use.  Free Wi-Fi can be accessed on the outside of the library building. We are offering virtual and limited in-person programs mostly story time, book clubs and Friends of the Library meetings. All programs require pre-registration. Visit us on our website: www.cmrls.lib.ms.us for more information.  

 

Thank you for being a CMRLS patron!  Be safe and be well. 

 

Warm regards,  

 

Mara V. Polk, Director 

mara@cmrls.lib.ms.us

(601) 825-0100 ext. 101

A Pattern Story: August Book Club

 "...every story is a pattern story."  ~~ A Swim in a Pond in the Rain, George Saunders

According to George Saunders, no writer begins his or her great work of fiction with the idea, "I think I'll write a pattern story" or "What this story needs is pattern." And yet, no matter how funny, beautiful, complicated, or bizarre, every story is a pattern story.

Life, in itself, is a pattern story, though we rarely recognize repetition as part of the process. The same is true with stories. For example, all rags to riches stories follow the same pattern. The protagonist starts out with hard times, then an opportunity presents itself which leads to a change of fortune or the ability to overcome the original adversity. The characters and/or circumstances might be different, but the pattern is the same. The same is true for rebirth. The lead in the story is experiencing darkness - physical, spiritual, or maybe even other-worldly. He succumbs to the torture that is his life until an unexpected intervention breaks through the bondage. Once free, the main character begins to live life with peace and happiness. 

A pattern story can also be compared to the acts of a play. In comedy, the protagonist is characterized as pretty normal - the pizza guy, the beat cop, the lawyer, the dogwalker, or the loafer. Their life is upended by an unusual and unexpected conflict, which is perpetuated by their self-deluded desire to find a solution. The involvement of the main character usually results in even greater chaos, until he or she returns to normal life. In drama, the story follows an opposite pattern. Maybe everything is okay or great or even perfect in the beginning. Then a problem arises that usually descends from bad to worse. Finally, the story hits rock bottom. All hope is lost - or maybe not! Could there be a way out? A way to rise above the waves and make it to the shore? At the very end, once the main character finds salvation, he learns a lesson he never forgets - a gift that came out of the darkness.

As with the other exercises, once a reader begins to recognize pattern, it becomes difficult to overlook. Tragedy, mystery, adventure, romance - every story is a pattern story. If the main character is overcoming a monster (real or imagined), he restores peace and calm by facing down the foe that seeks to wreak havoc upon his society, his family, or himself. If the protagonist is beginning a quest, he answers a call to act, sets out on a journey, encounters troubles that threaten and overwhelm, and finally, by whatever means necessary, finds the inner strength or outside help to restore peace - usually accompanied by a new perspective of life or greater responsibility. 

When you strip a story down to its barest bones, similarities of pattern exist. Even the most original ideas for fiction follow a pattern, which is sometimes described as formulaic or predictable; however, readers are often creatures of habit when it comes to genre fiction. If readers prefer romance, they have general expectations of pattern. The protagonists meet, experience an attraction, reject the relationship on one or both sides, face a midpoint crisis, confess their deepest secrets and fears, break up completely, recognize their misery and loss, and complete the pattern with a declaration of love and a happy ending.

Pattern is expected in all genres; it is why readers read what they do. In fantasy, the pattern involves a hero's journey. In horror, the reader waits for the unexpected horrifying twist that is totally expected. If the reader is bored, he or she might choose adventure which provides an adrenaline high. Or maybe they want to read fiction that shocks the senses with its graphic realism. These novels still follow a definite arc with internal struggles laid bare for all to see. Armed with preexisting prejudices and judgments, realistic fiction combines the main characters' layers of motivations, fears, and desires with adverse external circumstances and internal conflict - creating what is known as the framed narrative, or the story within the story.

Saunders is correct in his statement: "every story is a pattern story." The best writers master the art of a pattern story, and readers return to their favorite genres and authors time and again to find that formula they crave. From Agatha Christie's crime fiction to Julia Quinn's regency romance to Michael Farris Smith's gothic Southern realism, pattern is what readers expect. The difficult task for the writer is to create an addiction to pattern from which the reader never recovers.

Please make plans to attend the Forest Public Library adult book club on Tuesday, August 24, at 6:00 p.m. as members discuss pattern in the books they are currently reading and in their favorite genres. Pre-packaged snacks, bottled water, and canned drinks will be provided.

Library Card Night at Trustmark Park

 

August is here, bringing with it the end of summer break and the beginning of a new school year. The Central Mississippi Regional Library System is here to make the 2021-2022 school year a successful year for students and teachers. As part of our Back to School promotion this year we are partnering with the Mississippi Braves for Library Card Night at Trustmark Park! Library Card Night will be August 28 at 6:05 p.m. Just show your CMRLS library card and you can get up to four guests in the game for $3 each. Check out our online calendar for other Back to School events at your library. Hope to see you soon! 

July events at the Morton Library

                                           

Summer reading is still going strong! We still have a lot of fun online activities for all ages.

For adults, we have Blue Feather Bakery and fun crafts to make.

For Tweens/Teens, we have Who's Tail is it Anyway? Trivia.

We have lots of Preschool Story Times, the Hattiesburg Zoo, and the Mississippi Aquarium!

These are all great virtual events that you can enjoy as a family.

Our in-house Family Story Time is July 8 at 5 p.m. Be sure to go to our online calendar to register for this event or call the library at 601-732-6288.

The link to register is below.

https://cmrls.evanced.info/signup

We are still having take-home crafts each week to pick up at the library so there is no excuse to be bored this summer, we've got something for everyone! 

There is always something to enjoy at the Library!

Online Resources Available at Your Fingertips

 In our mission to ensure we have free and easy to access resources for our patrons, we have online tools available to help students, teachers, job seekers, and many others. We have online tools from test prep to world books online, and if you do not see what you are looking for on our website then one of our librarians will be happy to help direct you in the right direction.

Highlighted Online Tools

ACT and Other Test Prep Resources

From the ACT to the ASVAB test we have you covered with practice tests to study guides. Some may require you to log in with your library card and pin.

Magnolia 

If you are needing to write a research paper here is the tool for you. Magnolia provides a large collection of newspapers, periodicals, reference books, journals, etc.

Mississippi DMV Practice Tests 

This DMV tool gives you access to practice tests if you needing your permit or driver's license. It also provides tests and manuals for cars, CDL, and motorcycles.

Job Resources 

By going to this tool you will see many links that will take you to websites to find jobs or books about how to find a job.

Freegal 

By using your library card to log in you will have access to 5 free music downloads a week and stream playlists for 3 hours each day.

Rocket Languages 

Needing to learn a new language for work or just for fun? Rocket Languages offers 15 different languages including American Sign Language.

Full Collection List and Links

• ACT and other Test Prep Resources
• Auto Repair Source
• Business Source Complete
• Consumer Health Complete
• (Mississippi) Driver’s Education Program Practice Tests
• Explora for Student Research
• Flipster
• Free Legal Resources In Mississippi
• Freading
• Freegal
• Gale Virtual Reference Collection
• GCFLearnFree.org
• Healthy Hometown Library
• Heritage Quest
• History Reference Center
• Job Resources
• Learning Express Library
• Literary Reference Center
• Local/State/National/International News & Weather
• MAGNOLIA
• Mississippi Digital Library
• Mississippi Encyclopedia
• NoveList Plus
• Resume Builder
• Rocket Languages
• Storyline Online
• VIN Decoder
• World Book Online
• Website Links by Dewey Decimal Classification