Preparing for your Driver's Test with MS Driver's Education Program Tests

Getting your Driver's license is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel a little intimidating when it comes down to the written part of the exam. Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) offers an online resource to help prepare you: the Mississippi Drivers Education Program Practice Tests. With your library card, it is completely free!

CMRLS provides access to an online learning platform designed to help new drivers, or someone who is eager to learn how to gain their motorcycle or commercial license. This resource includes practice tests, driver's handbooks, road sign and traffic law quizzes, and study guides.  The convenience of being online allows you to access it anytime and anywhere. 

How to Access the Practice Test

• Visit the CMRLS website.

•  Go to the Digital Library drop-down and select Virtual Reference Collection.

• Select Driver's Education Program Practice Test.

• Log in using your library card number.

• Choose your test (car, motorcycle, or CDL) and begin practicing.

Who Can Benefit?

• Teens preparing for a permit.

• Adults who need a CDL.

• Anyone wanting a motorcycle license.

• Parents or educators helping someone to learn safe driving. 

With the Mississippi Driver's Education Program Practice Tests, you can prepare for your driver's test the smart way, at your own pace, and on your own schedule. Whether you're studying for your learner's permit or want to feel the wind in your hair and get that motorcycle license, this free library source is your ticket to success. 

Discover Your Roots with Heritage Quest at CMRLS

 

Discover Your Roots with Heritage Quest at CMRLS

Have you ever wondered where you came from—who your ancestors were, where they lived, what struggles and triumphs shaped them? The Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) offers a powerful tool for free to genealogists, family historians, or anyone curious about their heritage: Heritage Quest is accessible to all CMRLS cardholders. 

What is Heritage Quest?

Heritage Quest is an online database bursting with genealogical resources. It includes:

• U.S. Census records (key snapshots of American life over time) dating back to 1790,
• Revolutionary War records,
• Freedman’s Bank records—an invaluable resource for African American genealogy.
• The U.S. Serial Set, PERSI (the Periodical Source Index),
• Over 20,000 family and local histories, and more.

These resources make Heritage Quest a fount of knowledge for anyone tracing family trees, exploring local history, or even working on school or scholarly projects.

How to Use Heritage Quest via CMRLS

One of the great things about CMRLS is that cardholders can access Heritage Quest from home—no need to physically visit a branch. If you have your library card number, you can log in remotely. 

Here are simple steps to get started:

1. Make sure you have a CMRLS library card. If you have not gotten yours yet, you can apply at any branch.
2. Head to the Digital Library section on the CMRLS website, then to the Virtual Reference Collection.
3. Click on Heritage Quest and enter your card number when prompted. Then you can begin searching records, histories, or various indexes.

Why Heritage Quest Is Valuable

• Depth & Variety of Sources
  From census data to military records to bank registers for freed people—Heritage Quest offers documents that many people can’t find elsewhere.
• Accessibility
  Home access means you can explore your genealogy from anywhere—not just in the library.
• Historical & Personal Context
  The local histories, family narratives, and documented events provide the broader picture that’s often missing from raw data alone.

                                    

Whether you’re trying to piece together your family history, exploring local history in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties, or simply interested in the people and times that led to where we are now, Heritage Quest through the Central Mississippi Regional Library System is a powerful tool.

 

 

Meet Our Team - Belle Kennedy (Florence Public Library)

 

Belle Kennedy | Circulation Clerk

Florence Public Library 

Belle is new to our CMRLS team, and we are so happy to have her at our Florence branch!  

Here's more from Belle:

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

I'm enjoying getting to know the community!

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

Yes, when I met the author Victoria Schwab in high school. She signed my yearbook and encouraged me to keep writing and to continue my education.

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

Our online comic book and Manga collection. All you need is your library card! You can check it out at https://login.librarypass.com/login. 

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

I enjoy being at home or exploring the surrounding communities.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Going to the beach!

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving, because all my family gets together. 

Meet Our Team - Gaelon Hays (Mendenhall Public Library)

 

Gaelon Hays | Circulation Clerk

Mendenhall Public Library 

Gaelon is new to our CMRLS team, and we are so happy to have him at our Mendenhall branch!  

Here's more from Gaelon:

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

It's more well-ordered and peaceful than any job I've worked before. I can do my work without constant chaos, and I can handle chaos when it arises.

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

Inkheart and its sequels were probably the first books that I really loved for more than the sake of reading. The story was instantly familiar, as I'd read myself into books many times before. The language was perfect, the descriptions vivid, and the characters exactly human -- and all this in a translated book! Also, the quotes at the beginning of the chapters told me the author was as much of a book nerd as I was.

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

CloudLibrary is a resource I use consistently. It's an easy way for me to find new books and to read full series without having to wait for physical copies from other branches. I haven't gone through the audiobook collection yet, but as I'm getting more into listening to books as well as reading, that's one of my next forays. Check it out at https://www.yourcloudlibrary.com/en/home.html. All you need is your library card!

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

Read, bind books, play video games, talk theology, swordfight, build for humans and Legos alike.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

 If I have the time and money? Beaches, mountains, rivers, canyons. Forces of nature held in place by invisible walls. Usually? Peace at home, and some nice cool wind.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Easter. The hinge point of all history.

Celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month: Empowering Educators Through Library Resources

Celebrating Library Card Sign-up Month:

Empowering Educators Through Library Resources

September is National Library Card Sign-up Month. “One card: endless possibilities” is not simply a theme but a declaration of the power a library card has in the hands of a patron. Educators, in particular, can benefit greatly from using their library card to enrich the classroom experience of their students. 

 

The Central Mississippi Regional Library System is the perfect partner for educators in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. CMRLS offers free library cards to educators within our region. These cards come with special benefits including: fine free check outs for a nine week period, access to story kits, and Dial-a-Story. An educator can create curriculum and have all the materials they need at no cost! Diversity in the classroom is another important issue that can be addressed through partnership with libraries. Through our own library collections and inter-library loan services, English language learner materials and audio resources can be provided. 

 

Educators can also bring their classes to the library. Library staff can provide support in many ways from hosting story time to an introduction to the digital resources available through the library. Library resources are not only geared towards students: visits can be tailored to the professional needs of educators. Educators can schedule “One on One Time” with a library staff member to learn more about library resources and how the catalog and research databases can be utilized. Educators can also keep their classrooms running smoothly by using Future Assignment notifications, a service provided by the library. Educators can inform their local CMRLS library of upcoming assignments, and library staff can pull and reserve items at their request. Students can come to the library and use these resources when it is convenient for them. This is a great way to encourage independent student research while also not losing instructional time. 

 

People from all walks of life benefit from having a library card. If you are not already a cardholder, come to any CMRLS branch to sign up today and see what possibilities await you. Visit https://cmrls.lib.ms.us/virtual_teacher_packet/ to learn more!

Homeschooling with Central Mississippi Regional Library System

 Homeschooling with Central Mississippi Regional Library System 

The library has tons of resources that are of huge benefit to homeschool families. Whether you're a parent looking for resources for your child, a teen looking to make a friend, or a toddler coming to enjoy a story, the library offers many educational and social activities that make homeschooling easier. A full list of these resources and opportunities can be found on the Central Mississippi Regional Library System website here. Additionally, our Facebook account and branch newsletters are wonderful ways to keep up with what is going on at the library.

Whether you're new to homeschooling or a seasoned pro, your local library can be a powerful partner in creating a rich, engaging, and well-rounded educational experience for your child.

Meet Our Team - Amber Westbrook (Taylorsville)

 

Amber Westbrook | Youth Services

Evon A. Ford Library (Taylorsville) 

Amber recently joined the CMRLS team, and we are so happy to have her at our Taylorsville branch!  

Here's more from Amber:

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

Helping reluctant readers find the perfect book.

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

I've always loved reading, but was not a strong reader until college. I discovered The Bell Jar in my freshman year, and a new world of literature opened for me.

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

I wish more people knew about hoopla. Hoopla provides accessibility features and connects patrons with materials, even if they are unable to visit us at the branch in person. This digital resource has ebooks, audiobooks, and even movies available for checkout for FREE with your library card! Find out more at https://www.hoopladigital.com/. All you need is your library card!

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

I homeschool my two children, and we love to go on fun field trips.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

 A trip to Hay-on-Wye--the book town of Wales.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

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.