Check Us Out!

Summer is almost over! But that doesn't mean that the fun has to stop! The library offers nonstop entertainment, education, and excitement! We have gotten lots of new books, DVD's, and audio books available for you to check out! Come by and visit us today!

Can't Wait For Summer?

Counting down the days until summer break? Need your summer fun fix now? Or just looking for ideas on how to spend all that free time? Well, whatever your predicament, the Library has what you need! Here are just a few of my current favorite summer fun books for the little ones:

‘Twas the Night Before Summer by Anne Margaret Lewis
A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever by Marla Frazee
Harry by the Sea by Gene Zion
Curious George Goes Fishing by Margaret and H.A. Rey
Gaspard at the Seashore by Anne Gutman
Just Grandma and Me by Mercer Mayer
Harry Goes to Day Camp by Harriet Ziefert
Curious George Goes to the Beach by Margaret and H.A. Rey
The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant
Young Cam Jansen and the Double Beach Mystery by David Adler
Swim Like a Fish by Ellen Schecter
Cannonball Chris by Jean Marzollo
Princess Lulu Goes to Camp by Kathryn Cristaldi
Curious George Goes to the Aquarium by Margaret and H.A. Rey
Time of Wonder by Robert McCloskey
Mrs. Mack by Patricia Polacco
Hot Day on Abbott Avenue by Karen English
Gone Fishing by Earlene Long
Curious George Goes Camping by Margaret and H.A. Rey
P.J. Funnybunny Camps Out by Marilyn Sadler

AND…..


A Trip to the Library by Anne Rockwell

So, check us out!
Ms. Ryda

Spring Is In The Air!

If you haven't been able to tell from the high pollen count and the sudden showers, Spring is here! I thought I would celebrate by sharing some of my favorite spring children's books. Whether it's about the changing seasons, spring planting, or the many sights and sounds you will experience outside this time of year, these books are great for sharing with your little ones!

Birdsong by Audrey Wood
Red Rubber Boot Day by Mary Ray
I'm a Seed by Jean Marzollo
The Happy Day by Ruth Krauss
Bear Wants More by Karma Wilson
The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle
Birds by Kevin Henkes
Old Bear by Kevin Henkes
Spring: an Alphabet Acrostic by Steven Schnur
Fluffy Grows a Garden by Kate McMullan
Spring Is Here! by Joan Holub
Manana Iguana by Ann Paul
Pie in the Sky by Lois Ehlert
It's Not Easy Being a Bunny by Marilyn Sadler
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (my all-time favorite!)
Charlotte's Web by E.B. White

These books and more are available at your local library. Check out our display in the children's department for some added inspiration. And don't forget your umbrella!

Bloom where you grow!

We are happy to announce our elected officers for our Friends of the Library group. Our President is Mr. Ron Jordan, Vice-President is Miss Brandi Perry, Secretary is Miss Kim Lynn, and our Treasurer is Miss Brett Windham.

The next Friends of the Library meeting will be held Saturday, April 17th at 2 p.m. at the Columbia-Marion County Public Library. We will have Miss Freda Hartness from Clinton, Ms speaking about the next steps for our Friends group to bloom.

Speaking of flowers, if you have a young child, grade 3rd to 5th, who would like to be a "Rose" for the library...their first meeting will be this Friday, April 16th, from 3:30 to 4:15. They will be electing officers and talking about what they can do to support their library. Miss CJ Swayze will be heading up the meeting. If you have any questions, please call Miss Mona Swayze at the library (601) 736-5516.

Future Friends of the Library Meeting

Thursday, April 8th at 3 p.m.

Columbia-Marion County Public Library

900 Broad Street

(601) 736-5516

Calling all Future Friends of the Columbia-Marion County Public Library! We will be electing officers and discussing other issues to get the ball rolling as we spring into an official Friends group. Come one, come y'all.

DO YOU KNOW A CHILD WHO NEEDS HELP WITH READING?

FAMILY READING BONDS

What it is:
Family Reading Bonds is a program that helps children and families with literacy. It is sponsored by the Mississippi Humanities Council from Jackson, MS.
The program focuses on children ages 6 to 12, and a parent is required to attend the program along with participating children.

When is it:
The program starts Tuesday, April 13 at 5:30 p.m. and lasts about an hour an a half. It is a six-week program and continues the following Tuesdays: April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, and May 18. There will be a small meal provided for the families.

Where is it: The program takes place here in the Auditorium at the Columbia-Marion County Public Library, 900 Broad Street.

How it works:
A storyteller and humanities scholar present reading and children's literature to the families. Reading-aloud and discussions techniques will be used in presenting these award winning children's books. Books have been selected to address ethical and values issues such as environmental responsibility, fairness, courage, coping and determination. Upon completing the program, the children and parents will receive a certificate and free books.

How to sign up: Fill out the registration form and return it to the library by Wednesday, March 31.
If you have any questions, please call the library at 601-736-5516
or visit http://www.mshumanities.org/pages/family.asp

Mississippi Poet speaking March 13

The Columbia-Marion County Public Library is excited to have Mississippi Poet Gary McGregor on Saturday, March 13 from 2 to 3 p.m.

Gary McGregor has had many fascinating careers and is an incredibly talented poet. He decided to publish his book of poems, Faces and Feelings, to have as keepsakes for his children but when Diane Sheperd, the owner of Main Street Books in Hattiesburg, saw his poems, she not only sold them but also had him as one of the authors at the Christmas Extravaganza this past December.

McGregor grew up in Hattiesburg and is married with four children and has several grandchildren. He has a BS degree in design from the University of Cincinnati, and has designed for both residential and commercial interiors. He has written poetry for years and is influenced by the poems of Billy Collins, Robert Frost and others who write to be easily understood by their readers. Having also written short stories and had articles published in magazines, he is a member of the Mississippi Writers Guild, and is a self published poet.
McGregor and his wife collect the folk art textiles of different cultures and enjoy traveling around the world. He also raises orchids and enjoys painting. The cover his book "Faces and Feelings" is a painting by McGregor. He is currently working on a new book which will have 50 new poems.

Refreshments will be provided by Second Street Bean of Columbia.

Katrina by Gary McGregor

She came in rising winds
clothed in veils of driven rain.
Screaming as she flung
the trees and gashed the earth.
Pushing tides before her,
land became the gulf,
obliterating all in furious flood.
years swept away in her frenzy.

Night rose from the ground
to hide the tortured landscape.
Stars blinked and closed their eyeswhile we slept in ignorance
of what the morning brought.

Now I cry too easily.