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Looking for Peace
by Hulen Bivins, Executive Director
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More than half a century ago, Emery Reves was a writer who shared his thoughts with Winston Churchill, Albert Einstein, and other prominent European political leaders and thinkers who held with firm resolve democratic ideals. In his thoughts, he advocated that a world of federalist views might bring peace to a post-World War II world. Within this view, the citizens of the world were encouraged to look inward and do an analysis of their behaviors and how such behaviors affected themselves as well as others. A large measure of the thoughts of Reves was made available in the 1940s in his written work entitled The Anatomy of Peace.
The backbone of the thoughts shared in The Anatomy of Peace was the need to emphasize personal self-awareness coupled with the mandatory action of taking responsibility for one’s actions. Doing this, Reves stated, would cause people to see others not as obstacles or threats. Rather, this action would transform all parties, even those on an adversarial course, to work together to accomplish a positive good. This good was to have an absence of conflict.
In reality, the concepts expressed by Reves have been modernized for the populace of today in the expression, “Why can’t we all just get along?” Indeed, this question can be asked about so many (maybe too many) concerns in 2024.
In the past year, the pursuit of knowledge in libraries across our nation has been under attack. Shockingly, the personal leadership abilities of trained librarians have been questioned. These attacks have often been brought by outsiders, not residents of the communities the libraries serve. Additionally, attacks on the integrity of governmental leaders such as legislators, mayors, and city council members have been made in the suggestion that these leaders were not bright enough to see two sides of an issue and that none of these officials could, in their own decisions, foster open communication and honest dialog within their organizations.
Certainly, all segments of our world today feel a ripple effect of the struggles, fears, and aspirations of each of us. All human beings need to practice openness and foster open truthful communication with each other. With a commitment to understanding, cooperation, and sincere respect, there can be a conquering of the struggles and fears that might jeopardize peace.
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Around the State with Mississippi Public Libraries | |
The full day event is jam-packed with live in-person appearances by accomplished writers, their books, information for aspiring writers about what it takes to get published, and important how to’s on being a writer. For more information, please visit https://hcls.info/homegrown. | |
Walls Public Library utilizes MLC Special Collection Kit
The Walls Public Library, a part of the First Regional Library System, recently had a successful program using the MLC "Bones" kit in conjunction with a fossil program at the Desoto County Museum. Children learned about fossils and built their own dinosaurs from the kit.
Find out more about MLC Special Collections at https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/special-collections/.
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Photo by Yalanda Priddy, Walls Public Library | |
Autism Services offered by MLC
As one of MLC’s four library consultants, Ruth Jinkiri provides guidance and advice to Mississippi public library systems on nearly any topic. However, since the 1990’s, Ruth has been working with special education populations, particularly learners with autism. As a part of her services to public library systems, Ruth offers a robust range of autism support resources, including weekly meetings online and in-person.
Ruth also participates in community-based parent support groups for learners with autism. Having a support group in at least one public library across the state, Jinkiri says, encourages caregivers the opportunity to share and learn from each other about health and wellness resources. It also encourages attendees to be involved with relevant and supportive programs in the library, while strengthening community and library relations.
Jackson/Hinds Library System holds a monthly parents support group, facilitated by Jinkiri, in collaboration with the UMMC School of Occupational Therapy. Jinkiri says, "Since 1943, when the first person with autism was diagnosed in the U.S (a Mississippian), the ages of those who are affected continue to increase. There are adults, teens, and children that come daily to public libraries so that they can belong. Including these patrons in all programs (with some moderations) will give them sense of belonging."
Jinkiri aims to bring knowledge on autism and other special needs to libraries. By encouraging and helping train libraries in individual and group program activities, she hopes to encourage less fear and more trust among librarians and library workers towards patrons with autism and other special needs.
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Ruth Jinkiri at one of her support group meetins sharing resource information. | Ruth participating in the Race for Life and working the Talking Book Services booth. | |
From the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum World War I Camp Shelby Collection. | From the Madison County Library System Canton Data Photographic Collection. Postcard with a photograph of James Dory. | |
Mississippi Digital Library
Years ago, MLC began the massive undertaking of digitally preserving and identifying the thousands of library photographs from around the state that had been in boxes since before the move from Ellis Avenue to our current building. The first phase was to identify as best we could where the photos took place (either with a note on the back of the photo or signage/a landmark in the photo itself), sort them into counties, and scan them in preparation for uploading to the Mississippi Digital Library.
This past fall, MLC had a practicum student from the University of Tennessee who completed the metadata for 32 additional counties, bringing the total number counties completed to 53. There are five counties that we do not have identified and scanned images for: Benton, Covington, Issaquena, Union, and Wayne.
You can browse the collection the current collection at https://msdiglib.org/mpc.
|  | From the Hinds Community College Bee Hall Collection. Photograph of the Hi-Steppers on the steps of the U.S. capitol. | | | |
News and Opportunities for Libraries | |
MAGNOLIA Training Available | |
MLC now has a MAGNOLIA Outreach Coordinator to help you learn and share information about how to access and use the MAGNOLIA databases. Trainings are available in person or virtually. Contact Kristen Hillman at khillman@mlc.lib.ms.us to schedule your staff training today! | |
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The Dollar General Literacy Foundation provides grant funding to support literacy and education initiatives serving individuals of all ages. The Foundation funds nonprofit organizations, schools and libraries within a 15-mile radius of Dollar General stores in the states in which they operate.
https://dgliteracy.org/grant-programs/
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Two $2,500 grants are available for libraries that are planning new services/programming for their patrons living with dementia. Grant submissions could include, but are not limited to, projects focused on:
- Inclusion – welcoming this population into the library/community
- Staff dementia awareness training
- Person-centered focus – address unique needs as individuals with their own interests, abilities, and history
- Literacy activities that promote the use of books and reading as at least one component of programming (which of course can include art, music, exercise, nature, etc. as well)
- Academic research into reading and dementia
- Developing partnerships with local organizations that also serve those living with dementia
Complete the simple application form and submit it by Feb. 23, 2024.
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Laura Bush Foundation for America's Libraries Grant
Public librarians are encouraged to tell school librarians in the state that the Laura Bush Foundation for America’s Libraries provides funds to our nation's neediest schools so that they can extend, update, and diversify the book and print collections in their libraries with the goal of encouraging students to develop a stronger love of reading and learning. The grant is to be used to purchase school library books, e-books, and magazines. Use of the grant’s funds for shelving or furniture of any kind, or similar items, is prohibited.
For more information or to apply: https://www.bushcenter.org/lbf-application-details
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We’re pleased to release the January-June 2024 Continuing Education Catalog! We’ve got a variety of topics and hope to see you at our workshops either in person or virtually.
The catalog can be found on the Library Development page of our website: https://www.mlc.lib.ms.us/ms-libraries/library-development/.
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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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