Friday, April 3

National Library Week!

National Library Week is April 12-18! Stop by your local library or visit the online calendar to see about the FUN programming during this special week in the library community!

A history of National Library Week from ALA.org: In the mid-1950s, research showed that Americans were spending less on books and more on radios, televisions and musical instruments. Concerned that Americans were reading less, the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers formed a nonprofit citizens organization called the National Book Committee in 1954. The committee's goals were ambitious. They ranged from “encouraging people to read in their increasing leisure time” to “improving incomes and health” and “developing strong and happy family life.” In 1957, the committee developed a plan for National Library Week based on the idea that once people were motivated to read, they would support and use libraries. With the cooperation of ALA and with help from the Advertising Council, the first National Library Week was observed in 1958 with the theme “Wake Up and Read!” National Library Week was observed again in 1959, and the ALA Council voted to continue the annual celebration. When the National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, ALA assumed full sponsorship.

National Library Week is observed each year in April, generally the second full week.

This years' theme is World's Connect @ your library! Visit a library near you and make a connection; whether its information needed for a job search, a new meat loaf recipe, or the newest suspense thriller to read on a warm spring day, there is something for everyone @ your library!

Tuesday, February 17

Look at Next Good Book!


Next Good Book is found on the CMRLS website and can be used with or without signing up for an account. You will find new book lists on the CMRLS Bookshelves for "Living on a Shoestring", "Resumes and Interviews", and "Looking for a Job or Career". These CMRLS Bookshelves contain lists of books found in your libraries. You can search for books by subject or check out the New York Times Bestseller lists or dozens of different awards lists. Click on "Catalog" in any of the lists and request that book be sent to your library. If CMRLS doesn't have the book, speak to your library staff about requesting the book through I-L-L.


By signing up for a FREE account with Next Good Book you can comment on books you've read, read comments by others, and even keep a list of books you've read or want to read (and decide if you want to share your list with friends). If you need help setting up an account, just ask your library staff! Happy reading!

Thursday, January 8

Job Opportunities @ CMRLS


Check out the new job listings at CMRLS libraries here. Libraries are GREAT places to work and CMRLS is the best -- with the nicest patrons and the friendliest staff!

Monday, December 22

Reminders on Your Cell Phone!

The following are two ways to keep ahead of library items coming due. Each one of these will notify you so that you can return the items or renew them, if you wish.

Library Elf works with the CMRLS catalog to not only send you email when your items are due, you can have the reminders sent to your cell phone!

The CMRLS Early Email Notification will send you an email 3 days before you or anyone in your household or care has library material due!

For CMRLS Early Email Notification, just let your library staff know that you are interested and supply a valid email address. You can have everyone in your household linked to one email! For Library Elf, just follow the hyperlink and fill in the information. Library Elf works with the library catalog to notify you by email or cell phone!

Stay ahead in 2009!

Wednesday, December 17

Libraries' ToolBar

Have you looked at the link for the libraries' free personalized toolbar; it works with Internet Explorer and FireFox, Windows and Mac. There is even an uninstall, if you don't like it; and there is no SPAM, viruses, or junk mail that is linked to it. You get a one-click button to the libraries' website, online catalog, quick reference, news links, and our job notices...even a "search the library website" textbox! Check it out!

Friday, December 12

Library Closings

Wasn't the snow nice? Unfortunately it meant that the libraries were closed on Thursday, Dec. 11, but opened Friday morning at 10:30. Administration wanted to make sure staff and patrons would be safe on the roads. Simpson County libraries (Magee, Mendenhall, and Harrisville) are still closed today, Friday, Dec. 12, as the Simpson County Sheriff's Department asked that citizens not be on the roads. These libraries will be open Saturday, Dec. 13, 9:00 a.m., for their regular hours of business.

ALL CMRLS libraries will be CLOSED at 1:00 p.m., on Dec. 24, and remain CLOSED on Dec. 25, 26, and 27, for the Christmas holiday. Libraries will again close at 1:00 p.m, on Dec. 31, and remain CLOSED on Jan. 1 and 2, for the New Year's holiday. You may renew items during these times on the website using Rosie's Web the online catalog or by phone at 601-825-5450. Please have your library card with you when logging on or making the phone call. Your barcode and Personal Identification Number are needed to complete the transaction.

Monday, October 27

CMRLS Staff Member Receives Scholarship


Congratulations, Mara!

CMRLS' and Pearl Public Library's own Mara Villa recieved the 2008 Virgia Brocks-Shedd Scholarship, awarded by the Mississippi Library Association Black Caucus Roundtable in honor of the late Virgia Brocks-Shedd who devoted twenty-six years of outstanding service to the Humanities. This award is made annually to a minority library science student and was presented during the 2008 Mississippi Library Association Conference in Natchez, held Oct. 22-24.

Ms. Villa, pictured far left, is the Youth Services Supervisor of the Pearl Public Library. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Thursday, September 25

Thursday, July 31

Getting Ready for School

While your child is choosing which color notebook to use for which class, remember that the most valuable tool for school is a Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) LIBRARY CARD. “The library card is FREE to anyone living, working, or attending school in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties,” said Kaileen Thieling, Director of CMRLS. Not only will the library card give your child access to more than 350,000 books, newspapers, and magazines to be checked out or used in the library; your child will have FREE online access to even more up-to-date books, newspapers, and magazines for those inevitable school projects. These may be accessed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the library website, http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/.

Think of needing an encyclopedia or magazine article late one evening when the library is not open! The article will be right at your fingertips from any online computer. “Most teachers do not accept sources such as Wikipedia™ or Yahoo Answers™ for school projects not because they are found on the Internet, but because the sources of the answers are not verified,” said Director Thieling. “The libraries’ online sources are reputable, peer reviewed journal articles, books, encyclopedias, maps, and videos in all the subjects needed by your elementary, middle or high school student.”

This year, CMRLS has added Internet Math™ to the homework help resources found online. Internet Math™ teaches and reviews math word problems for students in grades 1-8. Each problem is accompanied by a series of visual hints that teach the student how to solve the problem. Library staff will set up a FREE account for any student wanting to use this resource. Lessons are saved by using the student’s password, allowing students to return to the lessons as often as needed.

Students with library cards may also practice the 4th and 8th grade proficiency exams and study lessons on math, language, or computer skills on Learn A Test™, another online library resource. “Library staff will be glad to help students access any of these resources,” said the Director. “The libraries want to help make this a successful school year.”

Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the public libraries in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. Further information may be found online at http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/ or by visiting your local library.

Friday, June 27

Playing Games for Fun and Learning

Video games at your library? YES! Wii, Playstation 2 and 3, Xbox360, and Nintendo DS; at your library!
Central Mississippi Regional Library System (CMRLS) added more than 300 video games in five of the most popular game formats to its collection. The libraries are not choosing to offer video games rather than reading material to the young or the young-at-heart of the community. On the contrary, reading lists are available at the library for those wishing to read in the same genre in which they enjoy playing games. Science fiction and fantasy, military action, sports, adventure, and treasure seeking are popular themes of today’s video games, and of course, books for all ages. Slow or reluctant readers may learn to love books and become life-long learners from playing games and taking advantage of these age appropriate reading lists!
The video games are found at the Flowood Library in Rankin County, Forest Library in Scott County, Magee Library in Simpson County, and the Taylorsville Library in Smith County. However, the games may be checked out from any library in these counties for one week, by any library cardholder, 16 years of age or older. A list of the game titles in each format may be seen at http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/ from the Basic Search window of Rosie’s Web, the online catalog. All games in the collection are rated E for everyone through T for teen, by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
Popular sports games such as SEGA Bass Fishing, Cabela’s Trophy Bucks, Madden NFL ’08, NASCAR ’08, FIFA Soccer ’08, Tony Hawk’s Downhill Jam, and Tiger Woods PGA Tour ’08, are among the many titles in this new collection. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Hannah Montana: Music Jam, Bratz, Ironman, The Bee Movie, LOST Via Domus, and Lego Star Wars are just a few of the television and movie tie-in games available.
For the younger gamer, the collection includes Dora the Explorer: Dora Saves the Mermaids, Go Diego Go: Safari Rescue, Strawberry Shortcake Sweet Dreams, John Deere Harvest in the Heartland, and many, many more. Physically interactive games requiring additional controllers are loaned with the needed equipment, such as the Wii Mario Kart (with wheel), karaoke games such as American Idol Encore and Singstar (with microphone), and Scene It Movie Trivia (with 4 wireless controllers).
Many CMRLS libraries are busy planning gaming program opportunities for all ages, to be held at the library. These events will be announced through the media at future dates. An Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) grant, administered by the Mississippi Library Commission this year, funded the CMRLS video game collection announced here. This is the first such collection in the state of Mississippi.
For information concerning this or other library materials, contact your local library or visit on the web at http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/. Central Mississippi Regional Library System serves the public libraries of Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
-End-

Friday, June 20

Not Today's Music!

RatherGoWalking
RatherGoWalking, originally uploaded by msulibrary1. (Viewed during a breakout workshop at the MSU Library 2.0 Summit, 2008)

This is one of many scans of 100 year old sheet music from the archives of Mississippi State University! Check out the rest of the collection on Flikr at http://www.flickr.com/photos/msstatelibraries/sets/72157605711536723/.


Friday, May 30

JUNE is Audio Book Month


Are you planning a family vacation this summer? Gonna' have to be stuck in a car for hours? Take along a family-friendly audio book! Your library has them on cassette tape, CD, even a "Playaway."


What's a Playaway, you ask? It's a MP3 player (pictured above) on which the book is loaded; you can listen through earphones (or an external speaker, just like you use for iPod or other players). This is battery operated and comes with the batteries needed to listen to the book, even the long ones! No CDs or tapes to lose under the car seat or forget where you last put them! Patrons are listening to these while exercising and doing chores around the house; its small enough to fit in your pocket or hang around your neck.


Check here for a list of books on tape @ your library, here for books on CD, and here for Playaway.


Have a GREAT summer listening to books!

Thursday, May 8

NEW Library Card!

They are here!
The NEW plastic
CMRLS library cards
can be found at your
nearest CMRLS library.

Stop by your library with your current card and ask the staff to issue you one of the new plastic cards. You have the choice of a credit card sized library card or the convenient key tag library card. The key tag card easily slips on to your key ring just like your Kroger or CVS cards. You'll always have it with you!

The library staff will take your old paper library card and add it to the cards they have already collected. Make sure your signature is on the back, because your old card enters you into a drawing at the end of September! Each CMRLS branch will hold a drawing with prizes from local businesses.

While you are replacing your old paper card, you will want to tell the staff of any address, phone number, or email address changes that need to be made. EARLY EMAIL NOTIFICATION is available to those of you with email addresses. CMRLS will send you an email 3 days before any item you have checked out is due. This means NO late fees! Just tell your library staff to sign you up for EARLY EMAIL NOTIFICATION.

For branch location and hours of operation visit http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us/BRANCHES.htm, with a new interactive CMRLS service area map!

Tuesday, April 29

Celebrate 100 Years - Ian Fleming

May 28, 2008 marks the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ian Fleming who gave us that famous spy, James Bond! Check out his books and the movies @ your library. Take a look at the website Ian Fleming Centenary for a brief biography and news of the latest theatrical release coming in November. And, because of Fleming's Bond, not only do all of us expect spies to have great gadgets, we expect them to dress the part. Who would think of a spy not owning an x-ray vision camera pen and a tux, or two?

If you have enjoyed the Bond movies and haven't read the books, why not start with the latest release, Devil May Care, by Sebastian Faulks, writing as Ian Fleming. Just can't wait for your name to come up on the request list for Devil May Care? Try these series titles...

Hawke, by Ted Bell
Quiller bamboo, by Adam Hall
The spy who came in from the cold, by John Le Carre
Eye of the storm, by Jack Higgins

Still looking for something that reads like a James Bond novel? Ask your librarain!

Tuesday, March 25

Friday, March 7

LookyBook

Take a look at LookyBook, a great website with children's picture books that you can read online. I think my favorite is Bad Kitty, by Nick Bruel. I hope you enjoy it!




Thursday, February 14

Libraries Close for Holidays

will close
Monday, February 18
for Presidents' Day.
Branches will open
regular hours on
Tuesday, February 19.
Items may be renewed online,
or by phone,

2008 Presidential Election

Have you made your mind up yet or do you need help making sense of it all? Try some of these websites to follow along the campaign trail.

From the Librarians' Internet Index:

AltWeeklies.com: 2008 Presidential CampaignCompilation of news stories and commentary concerning the 2008 U.S. presidential election, from more than 100 alternative U.S. and Canadian newsweeklies. Entries include headline, brief story summary, author, publication, and option to email the stories. Also includes links to the full stories. Listed chronologically. From the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies.

Election 2008: Vote by Issue QuizThis quiz helps you "[l]earn about the [2008 presidential] candidates through their platforms, not their personalities. [It] features some of the issues that have gained traction this campaign season." Also includes an "Election Issues" section (top menu, once you enter the quiz) with candidates' statements about health care, immigration, energy, Iraq, abortion, and other issues. From WBUR and the Online NewsHour.

The Onion: War for the White HouseThis satirical publication's coverage of the 2008 U.S. presidential election features "news" stories, humorous candidate profiles and candidate statements on key issues, videos, and a creative description of the election process. From the Onion, which "is not intended for readers under 18 years of age."

PolitiFact.comThis website was created "to help voters separate fact from falsehood in the 2008 presidential campaign. Journalists and researchers from the [St. Petersburg] Times and CQ [Congressional Quarterly] will fact-check the accuracy of speeches, TV ads, interviews and other campaign communications." Searchable; or browse the site's "Truth-O-Meter" by candidate, subject, political party, and other factors. Includes related articles and in-depth features.

Resources found elsewhere on the 'Net:

Declare Yourself - Quick and easy Learn about the 2008 election.

Electoral Vote - Track the electoral college and congressional elections with a red/blue map of the US updated daily using the latest state polls.

2008 Presidential Election from Yahoo! - Full news coverage and opinions on the 2008 presidential election. Find photos, audio, video, and related sites about the 2008 election on Yahoo! on Yahoo!

The 2008 Election with CNN
- Latest headlines and video, candidates' positions on the issues, fundraising totals, States to Watch news and analysis, and a unique side-by-side visual ...

NPR & the 2008 Election - In-depth coverage of the 2008 presidential election, Democratic and Republican candidates, and primary elections and caucuses. Listen to audio and video ...

Election 2008 - Ongoing collection of nonpartisan and partisan national polls.

For teachers from Scholastic.com - Read our extended news reports of the Election 2008 campaign. This special report include stories, activities, background information and more.

From USA Today -
Up-to-the-minute breaking news coverage of US politics, including election 2008 and the presidential candidates. Visit USATODAY.com for complete access to ...

From Wall Street Journal
2008 presidential election -Learn more about the 2008 Presidential Election with news and headlines from the Wall Street Journal.

Reuters - Election 2008 - Link to Reuters Special Coverage pages for the major 2008 US Presidential candidates.

Wednesday, January 30

Best-selling Books @ your library

This is a list of best-selling books @ your library as of 1/6/08 from USA Today...
Use Rosie's Web/Online Catalog to search for and request any of these best-selling titles.

Eat, Pray, Love - Elizabeth Gilbert
Atonement - Ian McEwan
The Pillars of the Earth - Ken Follett
The Kite Runner - Khaled Hosseini
I am Legend - Richard Matheson
A Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini
The Innocent Man: Murder and injustice in a Small Town - John Grisham
You: Staying Young - Michael F. Roizen
Shooters - W. E. B. Griffin
Love in the Time of Cholera - Gabriel Garcia Marquez
The Secret - Rhonda Byrne
Water for Elephants - Sara Gruen
The Golden Compass - Phillip Pullman
Double Cross - James Patterson
The Friday Night Knitting Club - Kate Jacobs
Exlipse - Stephenie Meyer
Shadow Dance - Julie Garwood
Into the Wild - Jon Krakauer
World without End - Ken Follett
Become a Better You - Joel Osteen
Shadow Music - Julie Garwood
I am America (And So Can You!) - Stephen Colbert
The Overlook - Michael Connelly
T is for Trespass - Sue Grafton
The Subtle Knife - Phillip Pullman
Deceptively Delicious - Jessica Seinfeld
Blood Brothers - Nora Roberts
Blood Dreams - Kay Hooper
Stalemate - Iris Johansen
The Amber Spyglass - Phillip Pullman
The Darkest Evening of the Year - Dean Koontz
12 Second Sequence - Jorge Cruise
The Memory Keeper's Daughter - Kim Edwards
90 Minutes in Heaven: A true story of Death and LIfe - Don Piper
The Daring Book for Girls - Andrea J. Buchanan
The Dangerous Book for Bosy - Conn Iggulden
The Shape Shifter - Tony Hillerman
Your: On a diet - Michael F. Roizen
People of the Book - Geraldine Brooks
Jim Cramer's Stay Mad for Life - James J. Cramer
The Road - Cormac McCarthy
Charlie Wilson's War - George Crile
Next - Michael Crichton
No Country for Old Men - Cormac McCarthy
The Choice - Nicholas Sparks
Born Standing Up - Steve Martin
Hide and Seek - Fern Michaels
Shopaholic & Baby - Sophie Kinsella
Stone Cold - David Baldacci
What to Expect When You're Expecting - Heidi Murkoff
The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
Star Wars: Darth Bane rule of two - Drew Karphyshyn
The Glass Castle: A memoir - Jeannette Walls
Cross - James Patterson
Someone to Love - Jude Deveraux
The Alchemist - P{aulo Coelho
Playing for Pizza - John Grisham
Harry Potter and the Deathly Haloows - J. K. Rowling
The Best Life Diet - Bob Greene
The Audacity of Hope - Barach Obama
The Omnivore's Dilemma: A natural history of four meals - Michael Pollan
For One More Day - Mitch Albom
The South Beach Diet - Arthur Agatston
Blizzard of the Blue Moon - Mary Pope Osborne
Hunters: A Presidential Agen Nove - W. E. B. Griffin
The Emperor's Children - Claire Messud
Rhett Butler's People - Donald McCaig
The Suspect - John Lescroart
Women & Money - Suze Orman
The Cat Who Had 60 Whiskers - Lillan Jackson Braun
The Venetian Betrayal - Steve Berry
Suite Francaise - Irene Nemirovsky
Home to Holly Springs - Jan Karon
Book of the Dead - Patricia Cornwell
Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - J. K. Rowling
confessor - Terry Goodkind
The Boleyn Inheritance - Philippa Gregory
Cesar's Way, Cesar Millan
The Almost Moon - Alice Sebold
Unnatural Exposure - Patricia Cornwell
Just a Taste - Deirdre Martin
The Nine - Jeffrey Toobin
The Thirteenth Tale - Diane Setterfield
Good to Great - Jim Collins
Deadly Gamble - Linda Lael Miller
Free Lunch - David Cay Johnston
Protect and Defend - Vince Flynn
World War Z - Max Brooks
Boom - Tom Brokaw
Middlesex - Jeffrey Eugenides
Lone Survivor - Marcus Luttrell
Rich Dad, Poor Dad - Robert T. Kiyosaki
Dear John - Nicholas Sparks
Tuesdays with Morrie - Mitch Albom
Flesh and Bone - Jefferson Bass
You: The owner's manual - Micael F. Roizen
Your Best Life Now - Joel Osteen
Snakehead - Antohony Horowitz
My Sister's Keeper - Jodi Picoult

February is Library Lover's Month!

Wednesday, January 2

Best of 2007

If you "Google" the phrase 'best of 2007' today (Jan. 2, 2008), you get 2,050,000 hits! That number will change tomorrow. Here is a list of some of the interesting ones, in no particular order.

50 Best Websites of 2007 from Time
100 Best Companies from Working Mother
2007 World's Best Awards for Travel and Leisure from American Express
Best Books of 2007 from Amazon.com
Best Books of 2007 from Library Journal
Best Cars of 2007 from CNN and Consumer Reports
Best Employers of 2007 from AARP
Best Hospitals of 2007 by US News & World Report
Best of 2007 by Surfing the Net with Kids
20 Top Tens of 2007 by LifeHacker
Best of Zen Habits for 2007 by Zen Habits
Best of the Best Lists by Filmoculous.com (Lots of lists!)
Book Awards Lists
Best CDs of 2007 by NPR Music
100 Best Products of 2007 by PC World magazine
The Best of What's New for 2007 by Popular Science (PopSci.com)
Best Books of the Year by Publishers Weekly
Best of 2007 by Rolling Stone
Best 10 Books of 2007 by New York Times
TV's Best of 2007 by San Francisco Chronicle

Have fun finding out what others thought made 2007 a great year!

Monday, December 17

December Closings and Holiday Material

CMRLS Libraries will be closed Saturday, Dec. 22 through Tuesday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday. Libraries will open for regular business on Wednesday, Dec. 26.

So, be sure to check out the holiday videos & DVDs before the 22nd; and the holiday cookbooks; and the children's easy books to keep everyone occupied! Brandon Library even has jigsaw puzzles to check out! How about holiday music to play in the background? Let the library help make your celebration special.

Did you know...
The U.S. Postal Service expects to deliver 20 billion pieces of mail between Thanksgiving and Christmas this year. The busiest mailing day is set for Dec. 17, as more than three times the average daily volume of cards and letters should be mailed (more than 275 million versus 82 million). This and other interesting holiday facts can be found at the US Census website.

Monday, November 19

Libraries Close for Holidays

Florence, Lake, and D'Lo libraries are still closed!

Meanwhile, your CMRLS library card is valid in all public libraries in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties. To find the nearest CMRLS library to you, click here. The staff is friendly and helpful in all the CMRLS libraries, and they understand you want "your library" to open soon. Renovations and repairs take time, so please be patient. Let the CMRLS staff help you find what you need.

The holidays are just around the corner! All CMRLS libraries will be closed Thursday, November 22 and Friday, November 23, for Thanksgiving. Libraries will be open regular hours beginning Saturday, November 24.

Wednesday, October 17

Ann Graham and Brandon Library staff

Ann and Brandon Library staff
Ann and Brandon Library staff, originally uploaded by CMRLS Photos (click to see more pictures.)
Ann Graham (seated, second from left) and staff of the Brandon public Library pose for a picture on September 22, 2007, at Ann's retirement reception. Ann served CMRLS 20 years, first at Forest Public Library and then the Brandon Public Library, beginning in 1996.

Thank you, Ann, for all your hard work!

Thursday, October 11

National School Bus Safety Week

Oct. 21-27 is National School Bus Safety Week. Check out the website for statistics and a booklet of activities to help make everyone become aware of the need for School Bus Safety. This from the National Association for Pupil Transportation. Also, check out School Bus Info from the School Bus Information Council. Read the House resolution of the 109th Congress for National School Bus Safety Week, here. Find school bus stories for little ones, here.

Be Aware,
Cross with Care!
National School Bus Safety Week
Oct. 21-27, 2007

Wednesday, October 3

Teen Read Week - Oct. 14-20

"LOL @ your library" during Teen Read Week 2007

Teen Read Week is a national literacy initiative aimed at teens, their parents, librarians, and educators. It is celebrated each year during the third week of October. Since 1998, Teen Read Week has encouraged teens to make time to read for the fun of it; use their local library to discover their interests; and get reading materials and participate in events at their school or public library.

Teen Read Week is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Associations (YALSA), the fastest grouwing division of the American Library Association. For 50 years YALSA has been the world leader in selecting reading, listening, and viewing for teens.

Check out these books and see the YALSA book lists!

Check out the programs @ your library!

Thursday, September 20

Did you know...

September is National Piano Month? It is also National Biscuit, Chicken, Honey, Mushroom, Rice and Wild Rice Month! There is a meal in there somewhere. Here is a webpage with recipes for chicken, mushrooms, and rice recipes; and click here for chicken and honey recipes!

It's Update Your Resume Month! The G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library will be holding a two-part program to help with this. Monday, Oct. 1 and Wednesday, Oct. 3 at 6:00 p.m., participants will learn the basics of writing a winning resume; and will spend time drafting individual resumes. The programs last until 8:00 p.m. Registration is required. Call the library at 601-919-1911. This a free program.

Monday, September 17

New York Times Bestsellers @ your library

A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini
The Wheel of Darkness, by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child
Bones to Ashes, by Kathy Reichs
The Elves of Cintra, by Terry Brooks
Tree of Smoke, by Denis Johnson
Play Dirty, by Sandra Brown
The Quickie, by James Patterson and Michael Ledwidge
Songs without Words, by Ann Packer
Sweet Revenge, by Diane Mott Davidson
Lord John and theBrotherhood of the Blade, by Diana Gabaldon
Loving Frank, by Nancy Horan
Power Play, by Joseph Finder
The Secret Servent, by Daniel Silva
Force of Nature, by Suzanne Brockmann
The Tin Roof Blowdown, by James Lee Burke
The Burnt House, by Faye Kellerman
High Noon, by Nora Roberts
On the Road, by Jack Kerouac
Still Summer, by Jacquelyn Mitchard
The View from Mount Joy, by Lorna Landvik
Lean Mean Thirteen, by janet Evanovich
Waking with Enemies, by Eric Jerome Dickey
The First Commandment, by Brad Thor
Malice, by Robert K. Tanenbaum

Monday, September 10

Patriot Day - September 11, 2007

These are just a few links to information concerning September 11, 2001. Your librarian can help you find even more resources for those writing papers or preparing homework assignments, or those just remembering that tragic day and the days that followed.

Celebrate September 11 as Patriot Day.

September 11 Terrorist Attacks - materials @ your library
September 11 Digital Archives - includes more than 150,000 digital items, with more than 15,000 digital images
September 11 Resources from http://www.lii.org
Resolution naming 9/11 as Patriot Day
Presidential Proclamation Recognizing the first Patriot Day

Thursday, September 6

National Grandparents Day

Don't forget National Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 9. Honor them on this day by acknowledging the wisdom and heritage they can or did provide. Take a minute to click through the official website and of course stop by your library for books on grandparenting, elder care, senior citizens, genealogy, and much more.

Friday, August 31

CMRLS Libraries to close Labor Day

All CMRLS Libraries will be closed
Monday, September 3, for
Labor Day.
The Libraries will open
regular hours beginning
Tuesday, September 4.
Have a safe and happy
Labor Day!

Thursday, August 30

Are you waiting to read The Quickie, by James Patterson?

The Quickie*, by James Patterson, is very much in demand at the moment.
The Quickie, James Patterson. Plotting revenge against her unfaithful husband, NYPD cop Lauren Stillwell inadvertently triggers a series of events that spiral dangerously out of control and is forced to take a secret job that threatens everything she stands for. New York, NY: Little, Brown and Co., 2007, 400 p.
If you are looking for something to read while you wait, try these great authors...


  • John Sanford
  • Greg Iles
  • Ridley Pearson
  • Jeffery Deaver

and these titles...

  • Harlan Coban - Tell No One
  • Douglas Kennedy - The Big Picture
  • Joseph Garber - Vertical Run
  • Dan Greenburg - The Exes
  • Matthew Hall - The Art of Breaking Glass
  • Tess Gerritsen - The Apprentice
  • Lisa Gardner - The Next Accident
  • Lee Child - The Hard Way

Look at NextReads for the Thrillers and Suspense book lists. Just sign up with your email address and we will email you a monthly list of titles just like these; or you can read the lists online!

Wednesday, August 29

A Day to Remember

It's been two years, today. A somber memory, with personal losses or our knowledge of someone else's loss. And, just like the question, "Where were you when President Kennedy was shot?" the question, "Where were you when Katrina hit?" will be repeated many times over our lifetime.

The papers and news segments today will consist of Hurricane Katrina, the devistation, and where we are today. If you would like to read through some of the reports, look at the pictures or read fiction based on that day, check out Hurricane Katrina from the CMRLS library shelves.

The libraries also have materials that may help with life changing events, depression, and healing. NextReads, the libraries' email book lists, has categories on "Spirituality & Religion" and "Mind & Body Fitness" that may help someone still going through traumatic times. Both of these lists, and all other categories, may also be read online. And, as always, if you can't find what you are looking for...ask a librarian!

Tuesday, August 28

Looking for a good book?

Are you looking for a good book? CMRLS will send you a NextReads email with at least 10 titles in the category you chose. Even if you don't want to receive a monthly email, you can to the NextReads site and view the current lists! Click here if you would like to see all the past lists!

NextReads is a GREAT service for adults, young adults, and kids. There is even a picture book list! Where else can you find ready-made lists of titles with a link to the CMRLS catalog so that you can go ahead and request the book while you are reading about it? Still can't find a book you want to read? Ask your library staff to suggest a title. Just tell the staff member what you have read that you liked and what you have read that you didn't like. We will find your next favorite book for you!

Remember, if you can't find a good book, ask your library staff for help or visit NextReads.

Friday, July 27

Time for School!

Your Library has a great tool to add to your school supply list, a FREE library card. Anyone living, working, or attending school in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, or Smith counties is eligible for a card. A library card can benefit the youngest student just starting, the high school senior planning her future, or the life-long learner as he seeks career changes. And, not only can you find this in your library, but the library's website has many resources you may use at home or the office. http://www.cmrls.lib.ms.us

MAGNOLIA - Full text databases; magazines, journals, newspapers, and reference materials. There are search engines geared to age levels to make homework help easy. Searchasaurus for the elementary student; Kids Search for the middle school student; and Student Research Center for high school student. Each database can be searched alone for the researcher with specific interest, such as the Consumer Health Complete or the Business Interface. Ask at your library for the MAGNOLIA access code.

Auto Repair Reference Center - 26,000 Domestic and Imported vehicles from 1945 to present, 70,000 technical service bulletins & recalls, wiring diagrams, factory drawings, step-by-step photos, specifications & maintenance schedules, and MORE!- Contact your Library for the access code.

Electronic Reference Books - Full text reference books (with pictures) on history, biographies, literature, countries, animals, and science for middle and high school students. Contact your Library for the access code.

Heritage Quest - Genealogy databases. Enter your Library Card barcode to access this database.

Learn-A-Test - Practice for ACT, SAT, GED, and so much more. This now includes self-paced computer tutorials; learn to master Microsoft Office products such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and more! Contact your Library to create an account.

Rosie's Web/Online Catalog - This is the libraries' online catalog. You may search for audio, video, and books; make requests and have your items delivered to your local library for pick-up, and check your patron account...at any time of the day, from any computer!

Quick Reference - This is a collection of hand-picked reference websites, sorted by subject, to help with quick answers. It's a great "first stop" for homework help, general questions, and even NEWS.

Web Resource Library - This is even a bigger collection of hand-picked websites, sorted in Dewey Decimal order, just like the library book shelves. Find reputable websites for most any subject you are interested in.

Online Book Clubs - Want help finding something good to read? Have a chapter a day sent to your email address. Read the selection through the week and if you want to finish reading the book, just check with your library.

NextReads - Still want help finding something good to read? Have a list of books sent to your email address on subjects or genres that you like to read. Each entry contains a picture of the front cover (sometimes you really can tell alot about a book by it's cover!), a short blurb about the book and a link to Rosie's Web so you can request the book be sent to your library for pick-up. All from your email!

Early Email Notification - Another GREAT email service...tell the staff at your library that you want to register your email address for Early Email Notification. That's all it takes! We will send you an email three days before your library items are due. You can even have your child's items emailed to your email address!

CMRLS Tool Bar - Download this to have library links placed right on your browser page. It's a direct link to Rosie's Web/Online Catalog, Quick Reference, news, and weather! Your information is not stored anywhere and there is no SPAM sent to your email address.

Email Reference - If you can't get to the library for homework help or help with a question, email us! There is a short form to fill out, and Monday-Thursday, 10-8, Friday 10-5, and Saturday, 10-4 we will help you with your questions.

It's time for school, do you have your library card?

Wednesday, June 27

Thank You Rouse Elementary Venture Students!

SRP 2007 BANNER-7
SRP 2007 BANNER-7,
originally uploaded by CMRLS Photos.
For the last couple of years the 2nd grade Venture class of Rouse Elementary School in Brandon has helped the 21 CMRLS libraries decorate for Summer Reading. Please take a look at these great kids and their hard work. Thank you, students! Teacher: Janet Paczak(also a member of the CMRLS Puppet Team.)

Summer FUN!

Summer Reading 2007 is up and running! Check out the pictures of the fun on the libraries' Flickr pages, the programs remaining, and ALL the cool websites, book lists, and pictures to color. Continue to fun ALL summer, READ!

Monday, June 25

July is around the corner!

All CMRLS libraries will be closed
Wednesday, July 4,
and will re-open for
regular business hours on July 5.
Happy 4th of July!
With that said, there are alot of things to celebrate during the month of July! It's Family Reunion Month, National Baked Bean, Blueberries, Grilling, Horseradish, and Hot Dog Month, also! It sounds an awful lot like a picnic, doesn't it? Here are 6 great recipe books for just that!
If you have children home for the summer, you've probably heard, "I'm bored," at least once. Help pass the month of July (also Anti-Boredom Month) with crafts, reading, or outdoor games.
And, there are at least 2 more Summer Reading Programs at your local library. You'll want to check out the CMRLS calendar for dates, times, and locations.
Don't forget about the Auto Repair Reference Center (ARRC) when you are planning a car trip. Give your car that needed check up and have a safe trip. Have your library card in hand and give your library a call. They will be glad to answer your questions and give you the code to access this valuable resource.
Have a safe and HAPPY 4th of July!

Monday, May 28

Happy Memorial Day!

Whether you are one of the "greatest generation" or your contemporaries are fighting in Iraq, Memorial Day is a time to honor those that have and do "protect and serve;" giving us the America we enjoy today.

From USA.gov there is information from Barbecue Food Safety to Patriotic Melodies. You'll also find Recipes and the Origins of Memorial Day. Remember.gov and USMemorialDay.org are also great sites, even finding past Memorial Day speeches.

Happy Memorial Day from CMRLS!

Tuesday, May 15

May is...Older Americans Month

From the U.S. Census:
36.3 million - The number of seniors who were age 65 and older in the U.S. on July 1, 2004.
5 million - Number of seniors age 65 and older who have jobs.
4.9 million - The number of seniors in the U.S. who were 85 and older on July 1, 2004.
67,473 - The estimated number of centenarians (people age 100 or older) in the U.S. on Nov. 1, 2005.
72 - The number of men age 65 and older for ever 100 women in the same age group.

45 - The number of men age 85 and over per 100 women in the same age group.
40 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who have a computer at home.
25 percent - Percentage of seniors 65 and older who use the Internet.


Whether you are on the brink of being a senior yourself, or caring for your aged parents; there are many titles @ your library to help you. Here are just a few.

The art of aging: A doctor's prescription for well-being, by Sherwin B. Nuland
The truth about abuse, by John Haley
Remodeling for easy access living, by Rick Peters
Healthy aging: A lifelong guide to your physical and spiritual well-being, by Andrew Weil
How to live to be 100--or more: The ultimate diet, sex, and excercise book, by George Burns
Eldercare 911, by Susan Beerman & Judith Rappaport-Musson
Elder care: What to look for, what to look out for, by Thomas M. Cassidy
Visits: Caring for an aging parent, by Lee Ann Chearny
The older the fiddle, the better the tune: The joys of reaching a certain age, by Willard Scott
The American Geriatrics Society's complete guide to aging and health, by Mark E. Williams
Computers for seniors (DVD)
Intermediate computers for seniors (DVD)

Thursday, May 10

Top 25 Titles in Libraries Across the Nation

According to OCLC* (Online Computer Library Center) in 2005 the top 25 titles found in libraries across the nation are:
  1. Bible
  2. U.S. Census
  3. Mother Goose
  4. Divine Comedy, Dante Alighieri
  5. Odyssey, Homer
  6. Iliad, Homer
  7. Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain
  8. Lord of the Rings (trilogy), J.R.R.Tolkien
  9. Hamlet, William Shakespeare
  10. Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, Lewis Carroll
  11. Don Quixote, Miguel de Cervantes
  12. Beowulf
  13. Koran
  14. Night before Christmas, Clement Clarke Moore
  15. Garfield, Jim Davis
  16. Tom Sawyer, Mark Twain
  17. Aesop's Fables
  18. Arabian Nights
  19. Macbeth, William Shakespeare
  20. Gulliver's Travels, Jonathan Swift
  21. Robinson Crusoe, Daniel Defoe
  22. Romeo and Juliet, William Shakespeare
  23. Bhagavadgita
  24. Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens
  25. Canterbury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer

Would these be in your top 25? Can you believe Garfield is #15? All of these can be found in a CMRLS library near you!


*Founded in 1967, OCLC is a nonprofit, membership, computer library service and research organization dedicated to the public purposes of furthering access to the world's information and reducing information costs. More than 57,000 libraries in 112 countries and territories around the world use OCLC services to locate, acquire, catalog, lend and preserve library materials.

Friday, April 27

Libraries CLOSED

All CMRLS libraries will be closed
Monday, April 30
for the
state holiday.
Branches will open regular hours
Tuesday, May 1.
Material may renewed,
accounts may be checked
by calling TeleCirc
or by visiting the

Friday, April 6

Drop Everything And Read!


April 12th is D.E.A.R. Day! Drop Everything And Read Day! It is also the birthday of Beverly Cleary, the author that has given us Ramona Quimby, Age 8 and The Mouse and the Motorcycle (and so many more, those are just my favorites.)


So, on April 12th, celebrate D.E.A.R. Day; and, if you can't find anything you want to read stop by the library and ask the Librarian for help!

Wednesday, April 4

Get Ready for Summer Reading!

Get ready for summer FUN!
Watch for registration
for a summer
FULL of FUN
@ your library!


Artwork by Mark Teague