Meet Our Team - Victoria Sharp (G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood)

 

Victoria Sharp | Reference Services Supervisor | Flowood Public Library

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

Here's more from Tori:

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

There is a certain kind of joy that comes with solving a riddle or puzzle, and the library has given me many opportunities to experience that. I get particularly determined when I have to find something obscure—like an image from decades ago or a small piece of information only found in a niche newspaper. It’s a lot of fun!

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

Growing up I loved reading and re-reading the Chronicles of Chrestomanci by Diana Wynne Jones and anything Artemis Fowl.

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

Project Gutenberg (gutenberg.org), the oldest digital library! If you search Project Gutenberg in our catalog, you can find a lot of old classics listed as e-resources.

Working in a library, I’ve come to learn how important it is to be able to access books whose copyrights have expired and are becoming more and more scarce in physical print. Project Gutenberg archives older books that are no longer under copyright due to age and allows them to be accessed for free to users in the US.

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

I like picking up hobbies that I don't have time for! Currently, I'm learning to crochet and edit videos. Besides that, I like gardening, reading, and playing the occasional video game.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

A perfect vacation for me would involve meeting up with friends I haven't seen in a long while who live in other parts of the country. If I want a more introverted vacation, though, I love visiting the Smokey Mountains.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving! I love the food and love seeing family I haven't seen in awhile.

Tori as Winnie the Pooh

Meet Our Team - Carolyn Thompson (CMRLS Headquarters)

 

Carolyn Thompson | Administrative Assistant | CRMLS Headquarters

Carolyn has been a part of CMRLS for 2+ years! 

Here's more from Carolyn:

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

Meeting and greeting patrons and guests!

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

The Bible - It tells you present, past, and future!

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

On-line Reference Collection. Find it in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I enjoy working in my flower beds.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Anywhere I can relax.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

I don't really have a favorite holiday. 

Meet Our Team - Rachel Hood (G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood)

 

Rachel Hood | Circulation Supervisor | Flowood Public Library

Rachel has been a part of CMRLS for 16 1/2 years! 

Here's more from Rachel:

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

My favorite part of working in the library is helping patrons with their needs, whether it be finding a book or information on a database.

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

Ransom by Julie Garwood started my love for reading. It is a wonderful historical romance book set in the highlands of Scotland.

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

Heritage Quest is a great resource for helping people look up their ancestors. Find out all about it in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

Hang out with my family, play a game on my phone, or read a book.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I would really love to on a Caribbean Cruise and see the scenic wonders of the Caribbean.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Fourth of July is my favorite holiday! I love fireworks and barbecues. It's also the day America declared independence and became a free nation.

Meet Our Team - Sydney Rankins (Pearl Public Library)

 

Odell Sydney Rankins | Reference Clerk  | Pearl Public Library

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

Here's more from Sydney:

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

The constant influx of new information.

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

Catcher in the Rye. I remember it being recommended to me by my mom. I think I may have complained about being bored one summer.

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

Our ebooks. CloudLibrary and hoopla are amazing. Learn about them today in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I'm a dog dad of 3 living in a cottage that I'm currently restoring.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

An extended stay somewhere I've never been. I like to leisurely explore without a schedule.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Memorial Day

Meet Our Team - Taralah Rios (Florence Public Library)

 

Taralah Rios | Circulation Clerk | Florence Public Library

Taralah has been a part of CMRLS for 11 months! 

Here's more from Taralah:

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

Spending time with our patrons.

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

I hated reading until my grandmother gave me a copy of Nancy Drew: The Secret in the Old Attic. I fell in love with reading because of that book. Nancy Drew still holds a special place in my heart.

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

NoveList on MAGNOLIA. It's a great way to find book recommendations. Check it out in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I enjoy spending time with my family, working puzzles, playing my flute, and, of course, reading!

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My idea of a perfect vacation is somewhere I can enjoy the outdoors with my family. I like visiting national parks, going to the mountains, and seeing as much wildlife as possible.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

Meet Our Team - Kaden Burkhalter (G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood)

Kaden Burkhalter | Shelver | Flowood Public Library

Kaden has been a part of CMRLS for 7 months! 

Here's more from Kaden:

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

Helping patrons find what they are looking for.

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

When I was younger, I read a book called The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann, and his books made me love to read.

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

I haven't had much experience with our e-resources but I know you can find out all about them in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I love to crochet!

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I really enjoy the beach.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Halloween

Meet Our Team - Andrew Hedglin (CMRLS Headquarters)

 

Andrew Hedglin | Acquisitions Librarian | CRMLS Headquarters

Andrew has been a part of CMRLS for 4 years! 

Here's more from Andrew:

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

I loved interacting with a community of regular patrons when I worked at the Flowood branch. I'm also a big proponent of reading and literacy, and I hope I am making a difference by helping supply our libraries with books, movies, and other circulation materials.

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

My lifelong love affair with reading began one autumn Sunday afternoon in the second grade when I picked up a copy of Bunnicula by James and Deborah Howe. I have read and loved hundreds of other books, but I recently re-read Bunnicula out loud to my son the month he was born (in October, naturally), and...it holds up pretty well!

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

All of our resources are great, but I'd like to talk about cloudLibrary specifically. Hoopla is great because there are no wait times, but with cloudLibrary, we can actually curate a selection of books and audiobooks based on the demands of our patrons. Please tell your local librarian what you like to read and/or hit that "request" button. We are listening! Find cloudLibrary in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

Reading, obviously. I'm a big fan of the New Orleans Saints. I enjoy taking walks and trivia nights. These days, I love hanging out with my wife, Morgan, and son, Luke.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My favorite place will always be Dauphin Island, Alabama, where I spent many happy summers as a kid. But I also enjoy walking around cities I've never been to before.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

I love Halloween and Christmas as much as anybody, but, to be different, I'll say the NFL Draft, which is soon approaching. Merry Draft-mas, everybody!

Meet Our Team - Paula Thornton (CMRLS Headquarters)

 

Paula Thornton | Business Manager | CRMLS Headquarters

Paula has been a part of CMRLS for 9 years! 

Here's more from Paula:

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

Being the Business Manager, I don't get to work in our libraries on a daily basis. However, I do enjoy getting out of the office and helping out at our branches when needed. I also love being able to utilize the eBooks and Audiobooks that are offered.

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

When I was six years old, I had a great experience attending a library summer program in my childhood hometown, Hazelhurst, MS. The librarians there were invested in making reading fun to all that came through the library doors!

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

World Book online and our newest e-resource, wireless printing, that is offered at all our CMRLS Libraries. Learn more about our e-resources in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I enjoy spending time with my family and doing DIY projects.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Going somewhere quiet so I can relax and not worry about the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

All holidays are my favorite, especially the ones I get to spend with my family.

Meet Our Team - Sarah Wolfe Ellison (Pearl Public Library)

 

Sarah Wolfe Ellison | Reference Supervisor  | Pearl Public Library

Sarah has been a part of CMRLS for 9 months! 

Here's more from Sarah:

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

I love working with patrons, especially concerning books.

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

I remember loving reading from the moment it "clicked" when I was 8. The first book that was truly memorable was The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.

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

I wish more people knew about Rocket Languages! It's a digital library resource that helps you learn another language. And it's FREE! All you need is a library card! Learn a new language today on Rocket Languages in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I love spending time with loved ones, especially when I can be knitting, crocheting, or reading while enjoying quality time.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

My perfect vacation would be a cabin in the mountains with lots of hot cocoa and loads of books.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

I don't have a favorite holiday, but my favorite days are when I can sit in my living room with a fresh cup of coffee and spend time with my husband and kids.

Meet Our Team - Helen Mangum (CMRLS Headquarters)

 

Helen Mangum | Coordinator of Automation and Technology  | 
CRMLS Headquarters

Helen has been a part of CMRLS for 25 years! 

Here's more from Helen:

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

My favorite part of working in the library are the people and the new books.

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

Casting the First Stone and Switch

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

Rocket Languages. Learn a new language today on Rocket Languages in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I enjoy sewing.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I like a good vacation with family, where it is sunny but not hot!

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Thanksgiving

Meet Our Team - Landon Huff (G. Chastaine Flynt Memorial Library - Flowood)

 

Landon Huff | Shelver | Flowood Public Library

Landon has been a part of CMRLS for 7 months! 

Here's more from Landon:

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

Truthfully, it would have to be finding new books to read for after work.

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

The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan was the first book I really enjoyed reading. My sister is the one who forced me to try it.

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

I wish more people knew about hoopla which lets you download books for offline reading. You can find hoopla in our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I like to ride my bike or play video games on my Nintendo Switch.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

Staying in a hotel at the beach or a cabin in the mountains.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

Christmas

Meet Our Team - Mara Villa Polk (CMRLS Director)

 

Mara Villa Polk | Director  
Central Mississippi Regional Library System

Mara has been a part of CMRLS for 19 1/2 years! She began at the Flowood branch in 2004 and then transferred to the Pearl branch in 2007, where she became the Youth Services Supervisor. After much hard work, she became the Pearl Public Library Branch Manager in 2010. Mara has since become the Director of the Central Mississippi Regional Library System, and we look forward to many more years under her leadership. 

Here's more from Mara:

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

I love meeting new people and connecting them to a new book, service, or program.

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

Growing up, I enjoyed reading almost anything. I remember reading a lot of non-fiction books. When I became a teenager, I read books like The Babysitter's Club and Sweet Valley High. As an adult, I really enjoy fantasy fiction and thrillers.

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

We have so many electronic resources that are so valuable with your FREE library card! I try to use all of them from streaming and/or downloading from Freegal music, learning a new language with Rocket Language, or listening to an eBook on cloudLibrary or hoopla. You can check out our Virtual Reference Collection at cmrls.lib.ms.us.

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

I like to spend time with my family. They keep me busy and entertained.

5. What is your idea of the perfect vacation?

I like so many things that I feel I cannot pick one. I've traveled to many places, but I have never been to Ireland and Scotland. I hope one day to go.

6. What is your favorite holiday?

I love all the holidays because it means I get to spend time with family.

Mara with her CMRLS staff at a recent Team Development Day.