Local libraries have always been a source of information and creativity, but they have evolved into community centers packed with developmental programs and essential resources. As a result of budget cuts to the Mississippi Library Commission, many small, community libraries may struggle to provide those services on which community members rely.
The Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System will witness a loss of $9,831 in Personal Incentive Grant Program funds, and the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System will lose roughly $10,000 worth of state funding for Fiscal Year 2017.
The Columbus-Lowndes system includes Artesia Public Library, Caledonia Public Library and Crawford Public Library, while the Starkville-Oktibbeha County system includes the public libraries of Maben and Sturgis.
Each of the libraries under the local library systems offers similar programs and services but in unique atmospheres reflecting the residents and needs of particular communities. In addition, these libraries, often located near the center or downtown areas of their respective towns, emerge as focal points of the towns, according to some librarians.
“The library is probably one of the very few institutions that caters to everyone from birth to death, no matter the socio-economic status,” said Susan Cassagne, executive director of the Mississippi Library Commission, in a recent interview with The Dispatch. “When their services are impacted, the community suffers.”
Ultimately, libraries are instituted to benefit communities, thriving and transforming through generations. A library plugs an otherwise leaking hole in a community boat, and aims to keep afloat those community members who depend on library services.
The following vignettes describe the local libraries under the Columbus and Starkville systems and aim to highlight their programs and community impact.
Columbus-Lowndes Public Library
314 North 7th St. Columbus, MS 39701
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., Fri 9 a.m. – 2 p.m., Sat 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
www.lowndeslibrary.org
As perhaps the most well-known library in the Golden Triangle, the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library offers much more to county residents than books.
“I like to say this library is kind of like a community hub,” says library director Erin Busbea. “It’s just a magical place.”
The library, located near downtown Columbus, stimulates community and personal development through free programs open to all city and county residents. In addition to traditional resources such as book, audio and video circulation, the public library provides free wireless Internet access, art displays and year-round and seasonal programs. Examples of programs include story times for preschoolers and toddlers, the Youth Advisory Board for teens and game nights for families. This headquarters for the Columbus-Lowndes library system also serves Columbus and neighboring towns through community outreach to children, focusing on stories, crafts and books.
The two-floor library houses 22 computers with Internet access and an extensive archive of local and state history. The accepting atmosphere attracts all ages, from one year-olds to 91 year-olds, and these patrons can be seen using computers, reading on benches, hanging in the “teen lounge” or checking out books and movies.
For more information about the library and its services visit their website or call them at (662)329-5300.
Artesia Public Library
18 South Front St. Artesia, MS 39736
Hours: Tues and Thurs 10 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. (closed 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
www.lowndeslibrary.org
A small, white metal building houses Artesia’s one-room public library. Shelves of books line the walls of the single room, and tables sit in the center for reading or working on computers. Despite its small size, the library does not wane in providing necessary resources to Artesia residents.
The library boasts four computers, a printer and free wireless Internet for public use. A library card is encouraged but not required to access resources.
Community outreach sits at the center of the library’s mission, as the branch clerk, Bernice Wilson, frequently travels to a day-care in Artesia to promote learning and creativity among young children. The public library also hosts summer programs at the Artesia Community Center, located a few blocks from the downtown library. All programs and services the library offers are free of charge.
For more information on library resources and programs visit the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System website or call the library at (662)272-5255.
Caledonia Public Library
754 Main St. Caledonia, MS 39740
Hours: Mon, Wed and Thurs 9:30 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
www.lowndeslibrary.org
The Caledonia Public Library, also designated the Mary Betts-Williams Library, operates in Caledonia’s downtown area. The three-room library includes a main room with four computers and several book sections, a colorful kids room stocked with children’s books and a room used for summer library programs and town meetings.
The library offers access to electronic resources and books with any library card from one of the Mississippi Library Partnership libraries, including but not limited to the libraries under the jurisdiction of the Columbus-Lowndes and Starkville-Oktibbeha County systems.
In addition to checking out books, patrons may check out CDs, DVDs and American Girl Dolls. Library clerk Christy Burks describes the library as a place for entertainment and education. People who visit the library regularly take advantage of study areas, a free paperback book swap, printing, copying and faxing. During the school year, students often use the library’s computers to complete online classes. A local history section even allows Caledonia residents to learn of their town’s past.
“We have people that walk in off the street,” says Burks. “They come in to use our copier a lot, especially around tax time.”
Burks’ statement stresses the importance of the library to reliant, local residents.
For more information about library resources and programs visit the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System website or call the library at (662)356-6384.
Crawford Public Library
320 Main St. Crawford, MS 39743
Hours: Mon and Wed 10 a.m. – 5:15 p.m. (closed 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.)
www.lowndeslibrary.org
The Crawford Public Library caters to Crawford residents, many of whom do not have the means to access Columbus’ public library.
“A lot of my customers ride bikes and walk to the libraries so it would be very difficult for them to try to travel to Columbus,” says Bernice Wilson, clerk for the Crawford and Artesia libraries.
Just inside the library’s door, an origami display, volunteered by a regular patron of the library, brightens the main room. Wilson says she creates friendly relationships with her usual customers and it makes her happy to look over at the origami project on display.
The Crawford library boasts four computers, free wireless Internet, a printer, a copier and a fax machine for public use. Many young people frequent the library during the school year to access the computers for schoolwork. Those young people may also visit the children and teens room which offers a selection of books and a quiet workspace.
Similar to her involvement in Artesia, Wilson also conducts a story time at the Love and Learn Daycare in Crawford, exemplifying local library outreach.
For more information on Crawford Public Library’s resources visit the Columbus-Lowndes Public Library System website or call the library at (662)272-5144.
Starkville Public Library
326 University Dr. Starkville, MS 39759
Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Fri 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
www.starkville.lib.ms.us
The Starkville Public Library, headquarters for the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System, is located in Starkville’s historic Old Main District in the city’s downtown. Complete with 13 web-accessible computers, wireless Internet connection, two catalog computers, a printer and a scanning machine, the library offers valuable resources to Starkville residents. The library’s book sections include genealogy, law, young adults and kids and the library estimates around 10,000 books may be checked out during the month of June.
Library Director Virginia Holtcamp says the building is “very busy and active with lots of children and young adults this time of year.”
Kids and teens have opportunities to participate in book clubs and reading programs during the summer and year round. The library also hosts occasional author programs during the summer and more regular author programs during the school year. The author programs allow local authors to talk about their success as writers and some of their best-selling books. In fact, best-selling Mississippi author Julie Cantrell will visit June 23 at 7 p.m.
For more information on library services and programs visit starkville.lib.ms.us or call (662)323-2766.
Maben Public Library
831 2nd Ave. Maben, MS 39750
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 8:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and 12 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
www.starkville.lib.ms.us/maben-public-library
The Maben Public Library, located in downtown Maben, provides a charming setting for reading and working. In addition to a main room, the library has a kids room where children may come to read with parents and where the head librarian hosts a “story time” every Friday for preschool age children. According to substitute librarian Susan Gordon, the library witnesses a steady stream of people throughout the day, as many Maben residents rely on the institution being open.
A library card from any Mississippi Library Partnership library allows access to the library’s resources, and the establishment participates in an inter-library loan program to better serve the community’s needs. Many people visit to use one of the three computers the library offers, often because they do not have computer or Internet access at home. Community members also print, copy and fax items from the library regularly. One Maben resident, checking out around 10 books, says she stops by the library at least once a week and is thankful she does not have to travel to Starkville every time she wants to read a new book.
With free wireless Internet access, an updated selection of current popular novels, a summer reading program for young children and a free paperback book swap, the library caters to a diverse crowd of all ages and socioeconomic statuses.
“It has become a multi-use institution,” says Gordon. “It’s not just to check out books anymore.”
For information about library resources and programs visit their website or call (662)263-5619.
Sturgis Public Library
2732 Hwy 12 West Sturgis, MS 39769
Hours: Mon, Tues, Thurs and Fri 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
www.starkville.lib.ms.us/sturgis-public-library
Sturgis, Mississippi, about 15 miles southwest of Starkville, is home to the Sturgis Public Library, located in Sturgis’ quaint downtown. The main room of the library houses two computers with Internet access, a reading area, and shelves of books. The library is in the process of setting up a wireless Internet connection. A second room, the “kids room,” provides an area where children and their parents can lounge, read together, and enjoy the wonders of a small-town library.
Jean Griffin, the assistant librarian, describes the library as “the focal point of the town.” Regular patrons of the library form friendly relationships with Griffin, and the librarian says those relationships keep the institution going.
To compliment the library’s informational resources, it offers story times for young children, summer reading programs for kids, occasional art displays from local artists, a painting class and a quilting group. People visit to take advantage of these unique opportunities, but locals can even be seen stopping by for a quiet place to read the newspaper.
For more information about the library, visit their website or call (662)465-7493.
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