Library kicking off 2023 with plethora of offerings for the community

By Carole Kelly

A special exhibition of activists of the Civil Rights Movement is currently on display at the Quisenberry library.

Every person in Clinton should have a library card.

That’s the goal of Jami Pittman, branch manager of the Clinton-Quisenberry Library. Although the library on Northside Drive is a favorite site for many citizens who take advantage of the free offerings of books, programs and services, Pittman is concerned about the numbers who do not have library cards.

“We are encouraging all citizens to obtain a card and take advantage of the opportunities and services we offer,” Pittman said. In addition to book sales and regular library services that contribute to the library’s being a special place, he and the staff share a variety of events for all ages, from chili cook-offs to displays filled with valuable information.

Seasonal interests have highlighted the library in recent weeks, from a “Thanks-and-Giving Tree” to Christmas trees brought in by volunteers, reminiscent of the library’s pre-COVID Christmas Parade of Trees days.

Pittman reminds patrons that e-books, audiobooks and magazines are available from the library. The library offers the freegal music app (similar to Spotify), as well as e-books and audio books from hoopla, rakutan overdrive and Libby. Patrons can borrow up to four at a time.

Currently, a special Mississippi Humanities display focuses on Civil Rights Movement activists. Library patrons can walk along an impressive hall of panels of large photos and biographical notes that include Unita Blackwell, Lawrence Guyot, Vernon Dahmer, Medgar Evers, Fannie Lou Hamer, Ida B. Wells, Aaron Henry and Annie Devine. The exhibit, from the National Endowment for the Humanities’ special initiative “A More Perfect Union,” is designed to demonstrate the important role the humanities play in the nation, while also supporting projects that will help Americans commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026.

Pittman also plans to capture memories and wisdom from local citizens in the coming year, with patrons encouraged to write stories for a future podcast called “Not by the Book,” to be coordinated by Pittman and the library system’s information technology department.

Invitations have been issued to persons in different jobs and businesses to offer information about their work through classes at the library. Pittman is looking for a wide variety of professions, including chefs, computer technicians, medical personnel and writers, to share details about their work in sessions for both young patrons and adults.

Although books sales coordinated by the Friends of the Library were canceled for December and January, Friends volunteers promise a sweetheart of a sale February 3 and 4.

“With the sales canceled for the busy holiday weekends covering Christmas and New Year’s, the February sale will offer new titles,” said Diane Eubanks, president of the Friends of the Library.

To clear sales tables of titles that have been offered for many months, a box of books may be purchased at a special price. Interested persons can check at the circulation desk for details.
Many book sale shoppers are regular customers seeking the works of their favorite authors or are seeking a special title. Friends members and library staff assemble popular authors in visible view to help the browsers.

“Our book sale regulars are special customers,” commented Eubanks. “We have persons coming in for children’s books and others for mystery writers. One of our shoppers purchases books to send to troops throughout the world. Others buy for special groups of different ages.”

The library is located at 605 East Northside Drive. For information on any of the library’s programs and activities, call 601-924-5684.