Meet Our Team - Alice Green (Magee Public Library)

 

Alice Green | Youth Services Specialist | Magee Public Library

Alice has been a part of CMRLS for 1 1/2 years! 

Here's more from Alice:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part of working in the library is watching the story time children grow in social skills and knowledge.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

Breaking Dawn! I was so captivated by the series, when it came out, that I couldn't wait for the movie to be made. I got the book and read it in two days. I've made time to read ever since that book came out.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

All the test preps available to the public.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I enjoy dancing with my husband and listening to live music on a trip to the coast.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My perfect vacation would be in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, in a cabin for a week. While relaxing and reading books on the deck, I can take in the mountain view during the fall.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

Meet Our Team - Miranda Loper (Pearl Public Library)

 

Miranda Loper | Branch Manager | Pearl Public Library

Miranda has been a part of CMRLS for almost 5 months! 

Here's more from Miranda:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part of working in the library is collection development and reader's advisory. I love choosing a wide assortment of materials for our patrons based on common interests and new, popular titles. It fills me with joy when a patron returns to the library having loved the books I helped them select.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

My favorite books as a very young child were The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle and Miss Spider's Tea Party by David Kirk. I remember reading those both at home and in the classroom and imagining a world of endless play. In second grade, my favorite book was The Trumpet of the Swan by E. B. White. The school librarian helped me find it based on my interests, and I have been found with my nose in a book ever since.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Aside from reading (I love Hoopla!), one e-resource that I wish more people knew about is the Mississippi Digital Library. It is such a great resource for people interested in Mississippi culture and history with tons of digitized images. Another great e-resource is the online Mississippi Encyclopedia for history-buffs and students alike as it has short, factual articles and audio-visual materials for anything Mississippi.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I like to spend time with my little family, travel, bake, garden, and a myriad of other hobbies that introverts typically like to do.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My ideal vacation usually includes visiting a state or national park with hiking, exploring local businesses and flea markets, and eating new, exciting foods. One day, though, I wish to make my way overseas and trek through the United Kingdom, Italy, and maybe even Japan.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday involves ringing in the New Year. The stress of the holiday season is over, and I can finally start to rest in the remainder of winter while looking forward to spring.

Meet Our Team - Kayla Flynt-Ceciliano

 

Kayla Flynt-Ceciliano | Reference Services | Flowood Public Library

Kayla has been a part of CMRLS for almost 5 months! 

Here's more from Kayla:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

I love seeing all the hard work patrons put into their jobs, education, or personal projects while using the resources we offer. Hearing about the great things that come into fruition because of their dedication is my favorite part!

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

“Ranma ½” by Rumiko Takahashi
This manga opened an entire new world for me, and I couldn’t be more grateful!

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

The (Mississippi) Driver’s Education Program Practice Tests, which can be found in the virtual reference list on the CMRLS website. You will be able to find up to date CDL, motorcycle, and driver’s manual handbooks along with some practice tests that will help prepare individuals to pass the written exam on their first go.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I have been playing video games ever since my parents bought me a Super NES and PS1 in the mid 90’s. So, when I am not at the library, I like to play those same games from my childhood along with the many other games that have been released throughout the years. I also love going to the gym early in the morning and going on long walks at night.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Driving out to Texas to spend time with my niece will always be the perfect vacation for me!

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter

Meet Our Team - Sandy Orman (Mendenhall Public Library)

 

Sandy Orman | Circulation Clerk | Mendenhall Public Library

Sandy has been a part of CMRLS for almost 2 years! 

Here's more from Sandy:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

Finding books for my patrons, especially the ones who claim to not enjoy reading!

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. A few of my first favorites were Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Hoopla! It's a fantastic resource for readers who enjoy audio and electronic books. They also have a large selection of magazines that you can check out, such as Highlights. It's nostalgic for me after reading those regularly as a kid.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

Hang out with my dog, Tripper, travel, play poker, and binge-watch good television.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

An ocean beach on a sunny day!

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween! I love scary movies and horror novels!

Meet Our Team - Austin Gamblin (Brandon Public Library)

 

Austin Gamblin | Circulation Supervisor | Brandon Public Library

Austin has been a part of CMRLS for 4 1/2 years! 

Here's more from Austin:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

I enjoy helping patrons find books to read or helping them find new authors to read they have never tried.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

When I was in the fifth grade, teachers would take the class to the library to check out books. It was towards the end of our session when we were leaving that I checked out Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl. Though I casually picked it out, I thoroughly enjoyed the book. I spent nearly every moment reading it repeatedly until I had to turn it back in. I had checked out books before but I think that book was the true start of my love of reading and libraries.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I wish more people knew about Hoopla and Cloud Library to read and listen to the ebooks and audiobooks that we have in our digital collection.

I also wish more people knew more about our Inter Library Loan program so that they could know that even if  it's not in our system, there are alternative ways to find the items they wish to find.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I enjoy playing SWTOR and World of Warcraft. I also like reading and writing.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Relaxing at home.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving

Meet Our Team - Helen Ruffin-Chambers (Polkville Public Library)

 

Helen Ruffin-Chambers | Branch Manager | Polkville Public Library

Helen has been a part of CMRLS for 8 months! 

Here's more from Helen:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part of working in the library is seeing young readers being excited about a new book.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. This book took me away to a place of magic where I wasn't alone and I was loved.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

I'm not very computer savvy, but I like Good Reads.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

When I'm not at the library, I like to travel, eat good food, and read.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My perfect vacation would be going to the beach or mountains with my best friend.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

My favorite holiday is Mardi Gras.

Meet Our Team - Marsha Meadows (Morton Public Library)

 

Marsha Meadows | Interim Branch Manager | Morton Public Library

Marsha is fairly new to CMRLS! She has been working at the Morton branch for seven months and is currently the Interim Branch Manager.

Here's more from Marsha:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

I love helping our patrons find the information that they are looking for and seeing the children excited to get books to read.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

"The tell-tale heart" by Edgar Allen Poe. I checked it out in the fifth grade to shock my teachers and ended up loving it. I guess I was the one that got shocked.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Rocket Languages. I am learning new languages and, here in Morton, it comes in handy to be bi-lingual. It's just great to have some help learning, and it's free!

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

Spend time with my family, garden, read, craft, and learn new hobbies. When I am not doing that, I am at my church.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Sitting in the middle of nowhere by a river and a fire, with nothing but peace and quiet.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas! As much as I hate winter, I love all of the Christmas traditions and decorations my family and I have developed over the years.

Meet Our Team - David Muse (Flowood Public Library)

 

David Muse | Branch Manager | G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library

David has been a part of CMRLS for almost 12 years! 

Here's more from David:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

I enjoy working with a highly motivated and dedicated team of librarians as we strive to make a difference solving simple and complex problems for patrons.

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

As a child, I enjoyed the Hardy Boys and any comic book I could get my hands on. I later moved on to Mack Bolan, The Executioner, and his War Against the Mafia by Don Pendleton.

I would later discover Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman, Last of the Breed by Louis L'Amour, The Harbinger 2 by Jonathan Cahn, and Patriots by James Wesley, Rawles.

As a senior adult, I prefer reading books that are interesting yet practical.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Rocket Languages. I feel we should at least be familiar with a second language if not fluent. There have been days where I've needed to speak Spanish with someone who could not speak English.

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

Take a power nap and then work on odd jobs around the house. Stock up on supplies in preparation for the next global pandemic or catastrophe.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

A perfect vacation for me would be an adventure away from everyone and everything. I would fly to Seattle, WA, get on a Holland America Cruise Line, and travel to Alaska. I would enjoy socializing with interesting people, dining at the captain's table, attending lectures on interesting subjects, other than plate tectonics. I would explore the world of acupuncture, enjoy room service for breakfast, eat fresh tacos and hamburgers for lunch, enjoy a buffet for dinner, visit and enjoy the amenities of Juneau, Ketchikan and Sitka. I would wonder about the mysterious submarine following the ship or was that a whale? I would have dinner in a castle in the city of Victoria on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, then return to Seattle, WA, fly to Salt Lake City, UT, rent a car, drive to City of Rocks, ID located near the Middle of Nowhere gas station, and then head south to Cedar City, UT. I would visit Cedar Breaks, Kolob Canyon, Zion, and Bryce Canyon National Parks. I would wonder about the mysterious shuttle bus full of European tourists following my turbo charged rental car, and return home knowing the world is safe for democracy. I would know in my heart that soon I would travel to the faraway island nation of Hawaii and complete my bucket list having visited all 50 states before turning 50.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Groundhog Day. A never-ending holiday if there ever was one. I used to live in the mountains of Northeast Pennsylvania where the wind was cold and the roads were covered in snow and ice. I would depend on Punxsutawney Phil as much as the weatherman for the local forecast and hope for an early spring.

Meet Our Team - Dewayne Hellums (Richland Public Library)

 

Dewayne Hellums | Branch Manager | Richland Public Library

Dewayne has been a part of CMRLS for 22 years! 

Here's more from Dewayne:

1. What is your favorite part of working in the library?

My favorite part of working in the library is that every day is something new. Learning is a lifelong challenge, and every day I learn something new from researching information for our patrons. It gives me great joy when a student comes back into the library and tells me they received an A on a project I helped them find the resources to complete. I love it when former story time kids start bringing their children to the library, so they can learn to love the library too!

2. Was there a book that made you love reading?

The first books I checked out from the Pearl Library were "The Fire Cat" by Esther Averill and "The Little House" by Virginia Lee Burton. These books not only initiated my love for reading but also helped develop my love of small houses and the renovation of older homes.

3. Tell us one e-resource you wish more people knew about.

Flipster is my favorite e-resource. I used to subscribe to home improvement magazines. Now that the library has Flipster, I am saving money and I don't have piles of magazines cluttering up my house!

4. What do you like to do when you're not at the library?

I am just starting a new hobby. I am starting a rose garden and a daylily garden. Then, I can sit on my deck and look at all the pretty flowers.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My perfect vacation would be to rent a small cabin in the mountains, preferably next to a stream so I could relax and listen to the water flowing down the stream.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas is my favorite holiday, I love all the lights and holiday décor.