During the years of the past century, public libraries have continually evolved. The speed of this time of evolving change has, most especially, been at a mercurial rate during the past three years. In those three years, public libraries have become, more than ever before, the true gateway to improved knowledge and accessible learning. 

Traditionally, public libraries have played a fundamental role in our government, our society, and in our everyday lives. But with the circumstances created by disease during the pandemic, public libraries have integrated e-learning to improve accessibility to a wider number of their citizenry, thus providing programs that provide economic, social, and cultural development. Such improved opportunities of learning have, for most individuals, affected their everyday living. Stop to think about the fact that whenever you hear or learn something new, that learning came from a source of both knowledge and culture. Whoever shared either new knowledge or a new cultural experience with you had a source, and that source had a source, and the train of sources ends with an educated thesis that, in the original form, is probably in the collection of a library. Whether the subject matter of the new knowledge is medical or business knowledge or if it is knowledge to better understand new municipal rules or legislation, it is the public library that aids understanding and ultimately, aids learning.

Enhanced in the past three years, public libraries more than ever are recognized as defenders in the fight against misinformation. Libraries do this work because they desire to preserve the historical and cultural heritage of their patrons and those who in years to come shall gain knowledge from the facts preserved. Providing free internet, thus aiding people looking for job opportunities, workspace for telecommuters, as well as job training programs, illustrates how libraries help. Additionally, public libraries that embrace and share new technologies help to educate adults, teens, and children, as well as city and state political leaders.  

More than ever, today’s public libraries are indeed synonymous with the advancement of learning and understanding. Public libraries are also synonymous with the task of communicating the underlying values of today’s society. As resources are obtained and made available to everyone, the public library is the premier entity that continually advances a communal network of learning in an ever-evolving and ever-changing world.

What public libraries have now become illustrates what potential exists going forward for the next few years and centuries to come.

Public Library Directors' Meeting

In May, Public Library Directors attended a two day workshop at MLC. Topics discussed included communication, library services, administration and grants. After two years of meeting virtually, it was wonderful to return to in-person training.

There are a wealth of training opportunities available on MLC's YouTube channel! Broken up into categories, these short sessions can help you in the areas of administration and management, summer reading programs, and collection development.

Please visit our channel at https://www.youtube.com/c/mslibrarycommission

MLC was chosen as one of two state libraries to participate in the Palace Project, a pilot program that provides a platform for management and delivery of eBook and eAudio content from multiple vendors. There are ten libraries total participating in the pilot program.

Managed by LYRASIS and funded by IMLS, the pilot provides MLC with over 10,000 openly available titles as well as $25,000 worth of curated eContent titles from the Palace Marketplace. The pilot runs through July 2023 and will be live soon! Contact Alex Brower at abrower@mlc.lib.ms.us for more information.