JGRLS NEWS AND EVENTS

The public is invited to "Meet the Artist at Your Library" with woodworking artist L. Kim Braa on Thursday, August 12, at 6:30 p.m. in the Ocean Springs Municipal Library meeting room.

Kim’s work will be on display and she will answer questions about her working style and techniques she uses in her art.

"Shortly after the disaster of Hurricane Katrina I was encouraged to return back to my artwork, after a 20-year hiatus. The quandary was where and what. So we renovated an existing carport and spare room to create a working studio. The where was solved, but the what was still a mystery, as the surrounding area is brimming full of excellent artists. I wanted to make something everyone else was not already creating," said Kim.

During the past few years she has discovered a new passion, "intarsia," which is the process of painting with wood. This artistic approach uses all types of colored natural woods, with individual pieces cut using a scroll saw, sanded and then assembled to create the sculpture.

Kim's work has been published in "Scroll Saw Woodworking and Crafts" magazine which shows a unique hand-painted style that brings her scrolled work to life.

She grew up in the Midwest and moved to the Gulf Coast region approximately 12 years ago. Kim is a technical writer and illustrator for the oil and gas industry and uses her graphic arts background to develop new scroll saw designs, wood crafting, and so much more.

Refreshments will be served by the Friends of the Library. The library is located at 525 Dewey Ave., behind City Hall. For more information, call the library at 228-875-1193.

The Jackson-George Regional Library System will continue to offer a special program for children and teens who may owe library fines for overdue library materials. Children may read-down their fines by reading to themselves or to another child in leu of paying an over-due fine.

Children will get $1 taken off of their fines for every 10 minutes that they read. Any print media will be accepted, including children’s books, magazines, or even newspapers.

Regardless of how over-due fines were accrued, the parent might choose to require their child to read down their fines to teach them accountability.

Details for the program are: patrons must be under 18 years old; there is no sign up sheet or registration; and is based on the honor system. Reading down fines must take place at the library and is available up until thirty minutes prior to closing time.

If a child needs to purchase a replacement card but has no money, they can read for 10 minutes to cover that fee. Fines for lost or damaged books are not included in this extended program.

Recently, the Jackson-George Regional Library System hired a new branch manager. Lori Ward Smith will take the helm of the Pascagoula Public Library - the largest branch in the system.

"I am incredibly happy to be selected as Pascagoula’s Library Manager," said Lori. "I feel fortunate to be able to work with such a capable group of people who are totally committed to public service. Pascagoula is such a beautiful place, and I look forward to getting to know more about the city and its people."

While living in Pascagoula as a child, Lori received her first library card at the Pascagoula Public Library. She was previously serving as director of the Pickens County Cooperative Library System in Carrollton, Alabama. Lori is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi with a BS in Interior Design and was awarded her Master of Library Service degree at the University of Alabama.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "Lori comes to us with library experience that is varied and covers a span of more than 20 years. She has been a county-wide system director, a youth services coordinator, and a school librarian. She has a history of being active in both community and professional organizations. We are thrilled to attract a candidate of her caliber to our system and feel the Pascagoula community will benefit greatly from her tenure as manager of the Pascagoula Public Library."

For more information about the Pascagoula Public Library, visit the library at 3214 Pascagoula Street downtown.

Author Kay Grafe will be at the Lucedale-George County Public Library to discuss and sign copies of her new book, "Oh My Gosh, Virginia" on Saturday, August 7, from 10 a.m. until 12 noon.

Mrs. Grafe lives in Lucedale and is well-known to local residents through her columns in Today in Mississippi and The George County Times.

Books will be available for purchase and are perfect for gifts. Light refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Lucedale-George County Public Library.

For more information, call 601-947-2123 or visit the library at 507 Oak Street across from City Park..

Origami classes will be offered again at the St. Martin Public Library for parents and children each Thursday at the library. Basic and advanced classes will be offered until August 26.

Registration is required by calling the library at 228-392-3250. Basic classes will be held at 4 p.m. and advanced classes at 5 p.m. in the library meeting room.

The classes will be lead by Kathleen Dodge-DeHaven and are free of charge to the public. Kathleen learned basic folding techniques and completed simple projects by checking out books at the library on the subject and taught herself. She has an exhibit of exquisite origami in the library display cases.

These classes are for families with children. Participants will learn how make party goodies such as cups, boxes, coasters, table decorations, or folded napkins. Click here for class instruction sheets. All materials will be provided.

Origami is the art of paper folding. It is the magic of turning a simple square of paper into a frog, a flower or a fish - without tape or glue or scissors. The word Origami is Japanese and comes from oru, which means to fold and kami, which means paper.

Starting this month, the Lucedale-George County Public Library will have extended hours on week-days and on Saturdays. New hours are now Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At a recent Jackson-George Regional Library board meeting held in Lucedale, the library board voted unanimously to increase service hours to the community of George County. The extended hours on weekdays and Saturdays fill a need for increased access to library materials, free Internet access and a host of other library services for patrons in the library service area.

The Friends of the Moss Point Library are holding a contest for residents of the Moss Point area. Any resident of the Moss Point community could become the new face of the Friends of the Moss Point Library.

Starting June 1, entrants will submit up to 3 photos and write a short essay on why they feel the library is important to the community and fill out an entry form at the library located at 4119 Bellview Street. The contest will run through July 30 and winners will be chosen by the Friends of the Library and announced at their September 6th meeting.

Categories are youth (K-12), adult (18+), and family. The Friends will award over a hundred dollars in prizes to winners. Those selected in each category will have their photo used in promotional material such as the Friends brochures, posters, or flyers at the library.

Dana Woods, branch manager of the Vancleave Public Library, recently received her Master of Library Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Woods has been employed with the Jackson-George Regional Library System for seven years and started at the Gautier Public Library as a library clerk before joining the administrative staff in July, 2006.

After learning a great deal about libraries and gaining interest in the career of librarianship, Woods began her graduate studies in August of 2007. She was promoted to branch manager in May, 2009.

"A library would be only a building without the people that walk through its doors," said Dana. "With a career in librarianship, I have the ability to share my knowledge with others and help them understand that a library has more to offer than just books."

Free Origami classes at the St. Martin Public Library each Thursday through June 24

Origami classes will be offered again at the St. Martin Public Library do to popular demand each Thursday at the library. Basic and advanced classes will be offered beginning in May and continue until June 24.

Registration is required by calling the library at 228-392-3250. Basic classes will be held at 4 p.m. and advanced classes at 5 p.m. in the library meeting room.

The classes will be led by Kathleen Dodge-DeHaven and are free of charge to the public.
Kathleen learned basic folding techniques and completed simple projects by checking out books at the library on the subject and taught herself. She has an exhibit of exquisite origami in the library display cases.

Classes are open to teens and adults. Participants will learn how make party goodies such as cups, boxes, coasters, table decorations, or folded napkins. All materials will be provided.

Origami builds spatial sense and an understanding of symmetry - skills vital to the development of intuitive thought. It is beneficial mental stimulation for any age.

If you’re a member of a Moss Point service organization, community volunteer or are interested in becoming active in the community then you are invited to a "Meeting of the Minds" at the Ina Thompson Moss Point Library.

Meeting of the Minds is a community organizations meeting for members of any Moss Point club or group and for those active in working to make long-lasting improvements in the area. This meeting is also an opportunity for Moss Point service organizations to send a representative to network with other community minded citizens and groups.

Moss Point Library manager Gabriel Giovannitti said, "Organizations in our community need to let the the public know what their organization does, who they are and what they want to do in Moss Point. It’s an opportunity to make contacts and see who does what out there in the community. Our library would also like to show local groups what we have to offer as well."

For more information, call the library at 475-7462 or visit the library at 4119 Bellview Street.

Mary Ann Louviere began her career with the Jackson-George Regional Library System in 1981 as a library clerk at the St. Martin Public Library. Since then, she has done everything that involves library youth services for nearly 30 years. She will retire on the 26th of March.

She served as youth services coordinator for the past twenty-four years along with being Pascagoula branch manager since April of 2007. Mary Ann was promoted to youth services coordinator for the library system back when the current Pascagoula library building was built in 1986. Her many duties included planning programs, events, assisting in community outreach, and coordinating library story-times. She has coordinated countless Summer Reading programs and seasonal puppet shows along with special holiday events throughout the library system. Mary Ann also trained youth services assistants at each branch and provided assistance with library material selections in the collection for children and teens.

Through these efforts, local libraries have been able to conduct extremely effective programs aimed at children of all ages. For most of her career, Mary Ann led these efforts system-wide while serving daily as the primary provider of youth services for the Pascagoula community.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "Mary Ann has the amazing ability to keep the child in herself alive and well and still manage people and programs like the professional that she is. Not every creative person also has the management and organization skills that Mary Ann has. And not all administrators have that much creativity in them. Mary Ann has it all and put it all to good use throughout her career at JGRLS. The children of Jackson and George counties are the major beneficiaries of her years of service, but truth is everyone who worked with her was a beneficiary as well. I know that I learned a great deal by listening to and watching Mary Ann and I will miss her greatly."

Genealogy Department displays collected items from old Carver High School at the Library

Old classmates and families of anyone who attended the old Carver High School will be fascinated at the new display located in the Pascagoula Public Library Genealogy and Local History department that will run through the month of March.

Mr. Robert Jennings would like help with obtaining other artifacts from anyone connected with the old high school. Jennings donated many items that were almost lost due to Katrina but saved most all items he had. Donated items include annuals, photos, letters, banners, and much more - including an old hand-made scrapbook which is on display.

The display and the Genealogy department is located on the second floor of the library. The building is at the intersection of Pascagoula Street and Delmas Avenue.

For more information on donating items to the collection, call 769-3078. Information about Genealogy is available on the library web site at genealogy.html.

Robert Jennings stands next to many items he collected and donated to the Genealogy Department at the Pascagoula Public Library. Items will be on display through March.

Friends of the Library are celebrating the 100th Birthday of George County with the opportunity to purchase a commemorative Centennial coverlet or throw which is on display at the Lucedale-George County Public Library.

The centennial throw represents each decade of George County History with a photo woven into the coverlet fabric. The decade of 1910 is represented by the Courthouse which opened to the public in November 1911. The second decade is represented by the Merrill Bridge that opened in 1928 and is still being used over 80 years later. Professional baseball pitcher, Claude Passeau, represents the 1930's and 1940's. Jake Lindsey, Congressional Medal of Honor winner, represents the 1940's. Jake was awarded the medal for bravery during WWII and the county celebrated Jake Lindsey Day. The George County Hospital represents the 1950's. The Coffee Pot restaurant represents the 1960's along with the famous Scratching post. The Coffee Pot was the center of town from the rebuilding of it in 1957 until it closed in the 1980's. In the 1990's George County became the plant nursery capitol of the state and the historical marker is on the coverlet.

The Lucedale-George County Public Library Expansion represents the first decade of the 21st century since it provides many up-to-date technological advances for all ages. In 1910 the county newspaper, the Plain Dealer, changed its name to George County Times to match the new county. Since then, George County Times has served George County as the county newspaper for over 100 years.

Orders are being taken at the Lucedale-George County Library for a delivery in March. Each throw is $50. If you purchase three or more coverlets, the price will be $45 each. The Friends cannot guarantee delivery of a coverlet without a pre-order. Coverlets can be mailed at an extra cost of $8 for shipping. Orders maybe mailed to the Lucedale-George County Public Library at 507 Oak Street, Lucedale, MS 39452. For more information, call 601-947-2123.

Friends of the Library are shown left to right; Doris Alexander, Robert Alexander, Linda Lester, Janet Smith, Crystal Jones, and Larry Stubbs.

Recently, the Jackson-George Regional Library System promoted staff to new positions within the administrative services to fill vacancies for Assistant Director, Youth Services Coordinator, and the position of assistant computer trainer.

Library director Carol Hewlett said, "Since public library use goes up during difficult financial times we were feeling the stress on our human resources and definitely needed to fill these long-vacant positions. By doing this, we will once again offer more public computer training; establish a finer mandate to focus on library services to preschoolers, school-age children, and teens; and continue to enhance facilities throughout our system. We filled all of these positions from within by promoting three current employees. The fact that we found the talent, skills and experience we needed right here among our own speaks well for our staff because we use the same criteria in-house as we do when we advertise outside our system."

Bethany Carlisle was selected to the Youth Services Coordinator position to coordinate, plan and implement all youth services activities and programming in the eight-branch system. The previous youth services coordinator Mary Ann Louviere is retiring in March. Bethany was promoted from the Vancleave Public Library where she worked as the youth services assistant for the branch.

Leanna Simpkins will fill a position in the library system that will enhance public computer training. She will work as the assistant trainer to provide the popular, free computer classes within the branch libraries. Leanna was also promoted from the Ocean Springs Municipal Library where she worked as a library clerk.

The Friends of the Gautier Library will be selling the 5th edition of "Gautier, Mississippi: A Short History" edited by Jack Womack. The the book chronicles the history of Gautier along with businesses, library, and many churches from 1886 to the present.

The new edition is available by the Friends for $20 each at the Kathleen McIlwain Public Library of Gautier which is located at 2100 Library Lane near the college.

The paperback is the first to be indexed and also contains a short history of New Era Missionary Baptist Church. New Era is the oldest congregation in Gautier, first erected in the 1880s.

The 17th Annual East Central Public Library cooking contest was held recently by the Friends of the Library. The popular contest featured cash prizes for contestants that submitted entries and recipes of their best holiday treats for judging.

Grand prize; Beth Hobdy with Jack Frosty Lemon Freeze
School Class winner; Mrs. Hodges/Ms. Couch 2nd grade with
Adult Sweets; 1st - Daphne Clary, 2nd - Miriam Robinson, 3rd - Rochelle Jeffcoat
Adult Treats; 1st - Beth Hobdy, 2nd - Cherie Chesser, 3rd - Diane Watson
Youth; 1st - Cierra Martin, 2nd - Brooklyn Benefield
Children; 1st - Sarah Couch, 2nd Sallie & Sarah Warren, 3rd - Kendall Ballard

As in the past, the library Friends gave cash prizes donated by local financial institutions and businesses. The grand prize winner received $100. First, Second and Third place prizes also received cash prizes.

For more information about the contest, contact the Friends at 588-6263. For more winning recipes and photos, visit the library website at www.jgrls.org/cooking.html.

Pictured are children and youth winners; left to right with branch manager Helen Barlow are Mrs. Deedy Couch, Brooklyn Benefield, Cierra Martin and in front, Sarah Couch and Kendal Ballard.

Adult winners, left to right with branch manager Helen Barlow, are Grand Prize winner Beth Hobdy, 1st Treats - Hope Clary, mother of 1st place Sweets winner Daphne Clary, 2nd Treats - Cherie Chesser, and 3rd Treats - Dianna Watson.

Libraries host Peppermint Parade; Song and Dance Revue at libraries for the Holiday!

Branch libraries of the Jackson-George Regional Library System will host special Holiday performances of "Peppermint Parade; Song and Dance Revue" or "Holiday Puppet Theater" provided by library staff.

Kids of all ages are invited to attend the free, special programs at the library for songs, dancing, stories, and lots of laughs. Children can wear a favorite holiday outfit, bring a favorite bedtime pal, and join in the Holiday fun.

Scheduled programs are:
Gautier Public Library on Thursday, December 3, at 6:30 p.m.
East Central Public Library on Monday, December 14. Call for time.
Ina Thompson Moss Point Library on Tuesday, December 15, at 9:30 a.m.
and Lucedale-George County Public Library at 6 p.m.
Pascagoula Public Library on Wednesday, December 16, at 10 a.m.
Vancleave Public Library on Thursday, December 17, at 10 a.m.
and Ocean Springs Municipal Library at 6 p.m.

Jackson-George Regional Library staff Cindi Burgin, Cindy Morgan, Ann Neal, and Johnell "Jay" Fowler returned to their respective libraries, loaded with information and ideas gained from attending Librarianship 101 Institute, hosted recently by the Mississippi Library Commission at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps in Jackson.

Participation in the 6th annual Institute was based on a statewide competitive selection process, with public library directors being asked to nominate staff members. Participants attended the intensive, week-long training designed to introduce library paraprofessionals to all aspects of professional librarianship. Training ran the gamut from the history and governance of public libraries to practical skills designed to help participants provide better service to library patrons.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "We were very surprised that so many of our staff were chosen. Libraries from all over Mississippi submitted applications for a limited number of spots. The main response I get is that participants come back with a renewed enthusiasm for their jobs and a greater understanding of what public libraries offer a community. We plan to gather all the participants that have gone each year to share experiences and to help them figure out how to put into practice all they've learned."

During the training classes, a contest was held to "stump the reference librarian." Jay Fowler, from the St. Martin Public Library, won the contest by asking, "What is the cause of Weggners disease?" Prize for the winning question was a set of reference books valued at $500 that is now in the collection of the St. Martin Public Library.

As a requirement of Librarianship 101, each participant signed a contract with the Library Commission outlining a project they wanted to undertake in their libraries as a result of what was learned in 101. They are required to submit their projects in six months and then a final report. Participants said the training and project would be helpful to their home libraries.

The Library Commission hosts more than a dozen continuing education workshops each year to increase the skills of Mississippi's public library staff. Workshops have included basic librarianship skills, youth services, library security, financial management, technology training, and summer library programs.

River City Quilters offer Free Sewing/Quilting Classes - call 228-826-5597

The Ina Thompson Moss Point Library will host a series of free "Sit and Quilt" classes that will be held on Saturdays in the library meeting room from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Participants should bring materials and notions and, if possible, their own sewing machine. A limited number of machines may be available on a first come - first served basis. Classes are limited to the first 20 who register.

The classes are open to anyone age 14 and up. Registration is required by calling Marietta Johnson at 228-826-5597.

These classes will teach basic sewing techniques and tips. There will also be hands-on demonstrations inside the meeting room to show people how to make a strip quilt.

Class instructor, Marietta Johnson, has been sewing as long as she can remember. Marietta works with several groups and leads the Moss Point River City Quilters group. She has worked through the LINUS project to make blankets for sick infants and children and taught special classes on how to fashion replicas of Underground Railroad quilts. She was also recognized as volunteer of the year for 2009 for the Jackson-George Regional Library System.

The Library is located at 4119 Bellview St., near downtown Moss Point.

Library Team Takes up Challenge for Strides Against Cancer

The Jackson-George Regional Library System will participate in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer" walk for the 4th year. The walk is to promote the fight against breast cancer and provide hope to people facing the disease. Mississippi's 4th Making Strides 5K (3.1 mile) walk will be in Biloxi. The Library System will enter with "Book It for a Cure" team members comprised of library staff and local friends of team captain Jo Anne West.

Members of the Book It For A Cure team are selling raffle tickets for the quilts, holding an on-line silent auction, selling hand crafted pink ribbons and other pink things as fund raisers. Monetary donations are always welcome. The Book It For A Cure team hopes to surpass their 2007 amount of $4500. The 2008 Book It For A Cure team of 35 members raised approximately $3500 and had twenty people walk last October. Many members of the team have experienced breast cancer personally or through a loved one.

The three quilts being raffled are locally made by members of the Scrappy Quilters of Gautier. The Scrappy Quilters meet weekly at the First United Methodist Church of Gautier to make prayer quilts, Linus blankets, work on joint projects and individual projects. Quilts made this year were sewn by sisters Dianne Bryant of Melbourne Florida, Jo Anne West, Janet of Janet's Quilting Bee Shop in Ocean Springs, Nita Green, and Nancy Green.

For the past several years the partnership between Making Strides and the American Cancer Society Cancer Action NetworkSM (ACS CAN) has changed the face of breast cancer in our nation's capitol. Thousands of dedicated Making Strides volunteers have made their voices heard and together, with ACS CAN, they are urging Congress to ensure that every woman has access to lifesaving cancer screening and treatment.

"Book it for a Cure" team members met recently to discuss fund raising efforts. Attending the meeting were Mary Ann Louviere, LaDonna Sims, Sarah McPherson, Jo Anne West, Faith Kelleher, Karen Gregory, Gina Morgan, Bonnie Reid, Betty Ann White, Kelly Eubanks, and Peggy Irland.

PAPOS Donates Sculpture to Ocean Springs Community

The Ocean Springs Municipal Library is now the home of a new work of art that was recently given to the community of Ocean Springs by The Public Art Project of Ocean Springs (PAPOS).

PAPOS chairman, Herb Moore, said, "We are pleased to offer this gift to the City of Ocean Springs. It is a wonderful and exciting piece by internationally-known artist Madeline Wiener of Denver, Colorado. Our Board has selected a location for this public art piece at the entrance to the Ocean Springs Municipal Library, just under the overhang at the front entrance on Dewey Avenue. With this location, we feel that this location will allow protection of the marble from the natural elements as well as providing lighting to accentuate this beautiful work of art."

The sculpture is entitled "Wise One," and is a marble sculpture approximately 5' long x 5' tall x 3' wide. The cost for this sculpture is covered by donations from PAPOS members, with support from the Ocean Springs Chamber of Commerce-Main Street-Visitors Center.

Ms. Wiener said of the piece, "This was created in two stages. First came the baby. I called that 'Grand Baby' as I was overwhelmed as a new grandmother, by two grandchildren and then another... What I tried to express with the was the innocence and sweetness of a baby and my love. But that grand baby didn't seem right as she or he sat alone looking (out). The solution to the awkwardness of the solitary figure was to carve the old person. The question remains, who is the "wise" one? I've always looked to my children for their innate wisdom, and I think we learn from their innocence. Perhaps that old man represents any of us."

The City of Ocean Springs Public Works Department prepared a base and completed the installation.

Artist Madeline Wiener stands with her sculpture "Wise One" at the entrance to the Ocean Springs Municipal Library in Ocean Springs along with PAPOS chairman Herb Moore. The sculpture was donated by The Public Art Project of Ocean Springs (PAPOS).

Library System Receives over $44,600 in LSTA Grant Funds for Enhanced Services

Recently, the Mississippi Library Commission approved and funded three applications for 2009 Library Services and Technology Act Grants that will provide enhanced services offered by the Jackson-George Regional Library System. The Library System was awarded a total of $44,627.60 in grant funds.

The grants approved will provide; a portable Teen Center for Vancleave Public Library, Games and Game Systems for Teen programming, and Public Computer Ac

cess Management System for public computers. The last two will benefit patrons at all branches.
Library System board co-chairman Bruce Grimes said, "JGRLS staff continue to expand and enhance services to our patrons. These grants will accomplish multiple benefits - self-service computer use increases the time staff may directly assist customers with more complex needs and gaming center for teens will add attractiveness to our efforts to engage youth in library activities. No longer can it be claimed that there is nothing for teens to do!"

The Vancleave Moveable Teen Center will be designed to attract, inform, entertain and generally positively occupy the time of the teens that congregate at the Vancleave Public Library after school each week day that schools are in session. The center will include laptop computers and moveable furnishings that will provide a space for teens and opportunities for more programming.

Gaming at your Library programs will be offered to teens and others at all branch libraries. Grant funds will be used to purchase portable video monitors and current best-selling game consoles to accommodate multi-player video game activities. Wii Sports and other style games will be purchased. Multi-player games will take priority in selection of game titles for Game Day programming.

Grant funds will be used to purchase computer and printer management system software for the entire system, which will allow patrons to check out a public computer through a self-check service and manage their own print jobs and payments through a vending-style printer.

Library Director Carol Hewlett said, "We received input from all of the staff on needed priorities which is how we ended up requesting funds for public computer access management system software. This will allow library users to check out their own computers, print-out pages, and pay for printed material via a coin operated system. This will free up staff for other things including helping patrons throughout the library."

The Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA), a major Federal grant program for libraries, was passed in 1996. It is administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, an independent agency with the Executive Branch. The Library Services and Technology Act is a state-administered program.