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Observations...
by Hulen Bivins, Executive Director
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Each day our populace seems to be divided on yet another issue. Sometimes it is an issue of personal beliefs crashing into the mainstream of conversation and sometimes it is a national movement that views long-standing actions and policies to be antiquated.
These conclusions/observations can be seen in U.S. Supreme Court decisions and laws passed by state legislators, county commissioners, and city council members. Divisiveness can also be observed in the actions of churches and their members. All of this contributes, more than anything else, to actions that only succeed in creating a confused situation with some in approval of an issue and others very opposed.
Perhaps it is time to remember some of the maxims of the past century. First, and foremost, everyone should strive to do what is right and not what is wrong because in our hearts we know there is never a right time to do the wrong thing and never a wrong time to do the right thing. Second, our character should drive us to do everything we can to the absolute best of our ability. We must understand that we should never infringe on the rights of another or purposefully cause another to fail. Third, every day must be recognized as another opportunity to show others that you care about their thoughts, their needs, and their well-being.
If we can achieve these three things each of us becomes more significant to others as we gain and maintain their trust.
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Around the State with Mississippi Public Libraries | |
Jackson Friends of the Library Hold “A Night with Wright” | The Jackson Friends of the Library hosted a sold out community gathering with author Wright Thompson to support the JHLS services. Thompson read passages from his books as well as held a discussion on his writing topics. With the support of the JHLS community, more than $20,000 was raised. The goal is to apply funds to a new community bookmobile. | |
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750+ people attend First Regional Library SLP Event
The First Regional Library System had more than 750 people attend their Olive Branch Fireman Splash summer library program in June. The program lasted for three hours and the community was invited to come have fun at the library!
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A view of the amazing community turn out for the Summer Library Program at the Olive Branch Library. Every summer libraries across the state have special programs to engage their communities. | | |
From left to right: Kristen Hillman, Ridgeland library branch manager; Gabriella Saab, visiting author of The Last Checkmate; Tonja Johnson, director of MCLS; Cynthia Miller, membership chairman of FORL and Teresa Gerald, president of FORL, gathering around the love of books./courtesy Teresa Gerald | |
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Teresa Gerald, the Friends of the Ridgeland Library Board President since 2017, was honored with the National Point of Light Award for her thousands of volunteer service hours she has committed to the Ridgeland library.
Find out more about Ms. Gerald's service at
https://www.pointsoflight.org/awards/volunteer-contributes-thousands-of-hours-of-time-to-spread-the-love-of-literacy/
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News and Opportunities for Libraries | |
LSTA Grants for FY24 Now Open | |
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The window for FY2024 Library Services and Technology Act grant applications opened on July 1. You can find the LSTA manual and applications on our LSTA grants page, here: https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/grants-library-services-and-technology-act-lsta/
Please keep in mind the following grant deadlines for FY24:
- October 1- Professional Development Application Deadline
- May 1, 2024 - Regular Application deadline
- May 31, 2024 - Expenditure deadline
- June 10 - Final reimbursement deadline
For additional information please contact Natalie Dunaway at 601-432-4054 or by email at ndunaway@mlc.lib.ms.us.
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National Voter Registration Day September 19th, 2023 | |
Participating in NVRD is a great way to ensure that your community is #voteready. You will get access to online voter registration tools, webinars, and marketing materials to help you promote your participation in this event.
When you sign up as a partner, you agree to:
- Be nonpartisan. We can only work with groups who do not represent a party or candidate.
- Be inclusive. Anyone who requests a registration form should receive one, regardless of party, beliefs, or other factors.
- Be aware of your state's voter registration laws. This includes any training requirements and returning completed voter registration forms.
- Be non-transactional. You cannot give items of value 'in exchange' for a voter registration.
- Likewise you cannot restrict incentives to only those who register.
- Have fun! National Voter Registration Day is a national holiday!
Partners can receive free stickers and posters, customized resources, and assistance in planning their celebration of the holiday.
Apply at http://nationalvoterregistrationday.org/2023-partner-sign-up/
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I Partner With My Public Library: An award celebrating community collaborators | |
Has a community partner made a difference by collaborating with your public library? The I Partner With My Public Library Award invites you to recognize the accomplishments of exceptional public library partners. Each year, up to 10 partners are honored at a ceremony held in their honor.
This award exists to publicly celebrate those individuals, businesses, and organizations that make a difference by teaming up with public libraries.
The I Partner With My Library Award will shine a light on positive things happening through library–community collaborations.
Deadline: Nominations will be accepted through the end of August 2023.
Application: https://go.uncg.edu/libraryaward
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Thinking Money for Kids Program Kit | |
This grant programs will allow kids to create their own farm, participate in a puppet show, learn about adopting pets and become party planners, all while learning about personal finance topics like saving, spending and budgeting.
Designed by educational media specialists and vetted by children's librarians and financial literacy experts, the programs can be scaled to work in libraries of all sizes and can be led by library workers, volunteers or teens of varying experience levels, including those with little or no prior experience hosting financial education programming.
- All public libraries, including tribal and state libraries, in the U.S. and U.S. territories are encouraged to apply. The brief application can be completed in less than 30 minutes.
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Visit the project guidelines and apply online by September 8, 2023. Approximately 200 public libraries will be selected.
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Peggy May MLA Scholarship | |
The Peggy May MLA Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for the education of individuals planning to be professional librarians, information specialists, or media specialists in academic, public, school or special libraries. The scholarship award of $1,000 will be made each spring to a qualified graduate student who is currently enrolled in or officially admitted to the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi. Both full-time and part-time students are eligible. Criteria for the scholarship include academic excellence, leadership capabilities, and evidence of commitment to a career in the field of library and information science in the state of Mississippi. Previous experience or activity in the library field is a bonus but not necessary to be considered for the award.
Learn more: https://www.misslib.org/peggymayscholarship
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Mississippi Library Commission | 3881 Eastwood Drive | Jackson, Mississippi 39211
601.432.4111
www.mlc.lib.ms.us
The Mississippi Library Commission was established in 1926 to ensure that all Mississippians have access to quality library services in order to achieve their greatest potential, participate in a global society, and enrich their daily lives. The Mississippi Library Commission is committed --- through leadership, advocacy, and service --- to strengthening and enhancing libraries and library services for all Mississippians.
This publication is made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Grants to States Program as administered by the Mississippi Library Commission.
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