Back to School With Your Library

How students can unlock their full potential as students with their local Library 

It’s the time of year that parents and teachers are gearing up for the new school year. Schools and libraries have worked together to promote literacy for communities in a fun and safe environment. Many parents may not be aware of all the resources that public libraries can offer their children. So, stick around and see just what your library can offer to help you be successful this school year!   

Programs are a large part of the activities that take place at the Central Mississippi Regional Library System. Each library offers programs for all ages, but a large majority of them are aimed toward the children of our communities. From babies at Lap Sit story times to seniors at book clubs there is something for everyone.  On our online event calendar, you can view all the programs happening in our library at https://cmrls.trumba.com/. Here you can limit your searches by age, library, and event type!

Promoting and encouraging literacy and creativity is among the most important aspects of the programs offered. Branches work with schools and teachers throughout the school year to allow students opportunities to express their creativity in a safe and encouraging environment. Story times often have a craft element for participants to complete while also encouraging interactive play with other children.  Many of the CMRLS branches offer craft programs, one of the most popular being Create & Connect.  

 

Lego Club at the Forest Public Library 

Many of the branches in the CMRLS offer a Lego club for families. This type of program is a fun way for children to meet up with friends from school and work together on their brick building skills.  

By partnering with guest speakers, the libraries are able to create educational programs that captivate younger audiences and get them through the door. Many of the CMRLS Libraries serve smaller rural communities. By bringing in these guests the libraries help to expose children to things they may not have the opportunity to experience otherwise. These programs with guest speakers allow for community members to learn about different careers and opportunities available to them.  

 

Children enjoying The Dinosaur Experience at the Forest Public Library 

Children’s librarians work with teachers and schools during the school year to coordinate classroom visits and in some cases field trips to the library. These early experiences can be the foundation needed for students to enjoy reading and knowing that the library is a safe place for everyone.  

Miss Asia visits a Flowood Elementary kindergarten class.

The Central Mississippi Regional Library System has numerous resources to help students with schoolwork and research projects. Below are some of resources that students may find valuable to assist with school assignments, but you can also find more information about our digital reference collection online.  

 Is your student taking a class on another language? - Then check out Rocket Languages, which is available with your library card. It can be used on a computer or on a mobile device like a phone. Rocket Languages allows someone to work on learning another language at their own pace through interactive puzzles and games.  

 One extensive resource is the Magnolia Database. Students can use this database to search for sources for projects. There are publications and studies available through Magnolia that students can use to find sources for research projects.  

If a student is working on a history or family history project can find many resources available through Heritage Quest. Heritage Quest is powered by Ancestry.com and is a way for students to search for information about their family history. There are pictures, documents, and records that can be found through Heritage Quest.  

Many older students have to take tests like the GRE, ACT, and more. Learning Express Library features online tutorials, practice tests, and e-books to help patrons of all ages! There are also practice tests for the driver’s license test in our digital reference collection. For more information check out our test prep resources. 

If a student is needing a quiet place to study or take a proctored exam many of the branches in the Central Mississippi Regional Library System have study spaces available to use. These rooms can be scheduled in advance but if no one has reserved the space then it is open to be used on a first come first serve basis. When those are not available, there are often tables where groups can gather to study throughout the library space.  

During the busy school year don’t forget that your local library is available to assist parents and students. Between programs and multiple available resources there is something for everyone to be found at your local library to help ease the stress of a new school year.  

Discover More Than Books: Explore Special Kits at CMRLS!

Discover More Than Books: Explore Special Kits at CMRLS!

When people think of libraries, they often picture rows of books, quiet reading corners, and maybe the occasional DVD or audiobook. However, much more is waiting to be explored at the Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS).

Available across branches in Scott, Smith, Simpson, and Rankin Counties, CMRLS offers a unique and growing collection of Special Kits—designed to educate, entertain, and inspire people of all ages. From early literacy tools to language learning and even fitness gear, these kits are free to borrow with a CMRLS library card.

Special Kits for Children

CMRLS offers a variety of kits that encourage hands-on learning, literacy development, creative exploration, and physical activity for young learners.

Literacy Kits

• My First BOB Books Kit: A foundational phonics set that introduces letters and sounds through simple, engaging stories.
• Baby Einstein Discovery Kits: Colorful books and audio experiences that help babies and toddlers explore music, language, and everyday concepts.
• Read-Along Kits: Books paired with audio CDs or digital narration, perfect for auditory learners and early readers.
• And so much more.

Fit Kits

Encourage movement and healthy habits with kits that include:

• Yoga mats and pose cards
• Yoga balls
  
• Boxing gloves
• Weighted vests
• Resistance bands
• And much more!

Cake Pan Kits

Planning a party? Choose from over 100 cake pans—from cartoon characters and sports themes to classic shapes. Why buy when you can borrow?

How to Borrow Special Kits

It’s easy to explore these kits:

• Search the online catalog at www.cmrls.lib.ms.us to view available kits and their contents.
• Request at your local branch—if a kit isn’t available on-site, staff can place a hold and have it delivered to your preferred location.

Need Assistance?

CMRLS staff are always happy to help you:

• Find the perfect kit
• Place a hold or renew an item
• Suggest related books or materials for deeper learning

Ready to try something new? Borrow a Special Kit from your local CMRLS branch and discover a whole new way to learn, grow, and have fun—absolutely free.

For more details, visit www.cmrls.lib.ms.us or stop by your nearest branch today!

Books, badges, and Big Goals: Why Reading Challenges Work

Reading to children is incredibly important for their development. Hearing words through stories helps children learn new vocabulary and sentence structures which gives them a strong foundation for communication and reading on their own later. Early reading stimulates brain growth and supports cognitive development, especially in areas related to language, attention, and memory. Reading to children helps them learn how to sit still, focus, and follow along, which are skills they will need for success in a classroom setting. Books open up new worlds, encouraging children to think creatively, ask questions, and explore new ideas. Reading together creates special moments that foster emotional security and closeness. Children who feel safe and loved are more open to learning. Introducing books at a young age makes reading feel fun and enjoyable and not like a chore. This helps build a lifelong habit of learning and curiosity. Children who are read to regularly are more likely to enter kindergarten with the literacy skills they need, like recognizing letters, understanding stories, and knowing how books work. To help promote reading and encourage children to read, Central Mississippi Library System uses the Beanstack app to help make reading fun and rewarding.

Beanstack is an online reading tool where you can track your reading, join challenges, earn online badges, and make reading a habit. Beanstack is used to encourage reading by providing a platform for logging reading time, books, and activities, and participating in reading challenges. It also allows users to track their progress, set goals, and compete with others, promoting a fun and engaging reading experience. Beanstack is used in various library programs, including summer reading programs, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 500 Books Before Middle School, 100 Books Before Graduation, and several other seasonal challenge.

If you do not have Beanstack yet, you can go to your app store and download the app or scan this code. 

The goal is to read 1,000 books to your little one before he or she begins kindergarten. That may sound like a difficult task, but you may read any book and read it multiple times! Just one book a day is 365 books in a year. Keep it fun and enjoyable. Bring out the actor in yourself and change your voice, make sounds, and laugh. Read books that interest your child. When your child is older let them choose their books. Library staff can help you find books that interest you both. Children like to hear the same story again and again. They enjoy the repetition and may begin to finish the story as they understand the way the stories are organized. Always carry a book with you whenever you go to keep your child occupied. Library staff can show you how children's eBooks can be downloaded to your mobile device. Your library can print for free a list of the books you have read together and a completion certificate for your records. Each time your child reads 100 books they can stop by the library and have their photo taken with a sign signifying reaching each 100 books milestone. 

 

The more children read, the more fluent and confident they become in their reading skills. Reading 500 books develops vocabulary, comprehension, grammar, and overall language proficiency and essential tools for middle school and beyond. Students who read regularly tend to perform better in all subjects, not just English. Reading enhances concentration, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and is important for mastering middle school curriculum. Books expose children to different cultures, perspectives, and emotions. This helps them understand others better and build empathy, compassion, and resilience. Reading longer books over time trains children to focus, stick with a task, and think deeply, which are skills they will need as school becomes more demanding. When reading is fun and engaging, kids grow up seeing books as a source of enjoyment and personal growth and not just a school task. This love of reading supports lifelong learning. Having read hundreds of books gives children a sense of accomplishment and pride. It helps them enter middle school feeling prepared and self-assured. Every book is a step toward building a reader who's ready to thrive in middle school and beyond. Programs like Beanstack or "500 Books Before Middle School" makes reading fun, goal-driven, and rewarding.

Reading 100 books before graduation is more than just a number, it is a meaningful goal that can transform a student's educational journey and personal growth. Reading regularly improves the ability to analyze, interpret, and evaluate complex information that is essential skills for success in high school, college, and life beyond. Books expose students to diverse language, styles, and ideas. A stronger vocabulary and better writing skills give students an edge in essays, applications, interviews, and professional setting. Studies show that students who read frequently perform better across all subjects, including math and science. Reading helps develop focus, memory, and deeper understanding. Books allow readers to step into other people's shoes, understand different cultures, and explore complex emotions. This emotional intelligence is crucial for personal and social growth. Reading 100 books creates a habit of curiosity and independent learning. It sets the foundation for a life of continued education, exploration, and self-improvement. College-level reading requires stamina, discipline, and comprehension skills. Students who have read widely are more prepared for the volume and complexity of college texts and workplace communication. Reaching a 100 book goal builds pride and motivation. It shows students that they can set big goals and achieve them and that is something they can carry with them into the future. Reading 100 books helps students graduate not only with a diploma but also with the tools they need to succeed in life. Every book is a step forward. 

If you would like to register for one of these challenges, you can go to cmrls.beanstack.org or scan the QR code.