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Mississippi Library Association
@mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
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The Official Account of the Mississippi Library Association

misslib.org

MLA Annual Conference 2025
Guardians of Knowledge: Defending Libraries in Challenging Times
October 16-17, 2025
Hattiesburg, MS
https://tinyurl.com/MLAConference2025
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The Virgia Brocks-Shedd Scholarship is awarded to a minority student and is a one-time, non-renewable award paid directly to the recipient. Recipient must attend the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi.

Learn more: www.misslib.org/virgiabrocks-shedd
August 28, 2025 at 10:14 PM
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The Terry Lajaunie Memorial Conference Scholarship was designed to provide financial assistance of $500 to a member of the Public Library Section toward the cost of attending the MLA Conference.

Learn more: www.misslib.org/lajaunie
August 28, 2025 at 10:13 PM
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The Peggy May/MLA Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for the education of individuals planning to be professional librarians, information specialists, or media specialists in academic, public, school or special libraries.

Learn more: www.misslib.org/peggymayscho...
August 28, 2025 at 10:12 PM
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Attendee registration for the 2025 MLA Annual Conference Guardians of Knowledge: Defending Libraries in Challenging Times in Hattiesburg, MS, October 16-17, 2025, is now open!

REGISTER TODAY: mla42.wildapricot.org/page-1860635

#misslib2025 #guardiansofknowledge
Registration open MLA Annual Conference 2025 October 16-17 2025 Hattiesburg Convention Center Hattiesburg Mississippi. Photo contains image of Hattiesburg Convention Center.
July 23, 2025 at 4:52 PM
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Submit your title, abstract (250 words or less), presenter(s), and affiliation, and if you need an easel, backing board, or tabletop display. Please note any special set-up requirements, including the need for an electrical outlet.

Send submissions to Joyce Shaw at joyce.shaw@usm.edu

#misslib2025
July 11, 2025 at 9:10 PM
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Extended Deadline!!

Are you working on an interesting research project? Have you gained insight into programming that you would like to share with your colleagues?

Submit Proposals by July 15, 2025.
tinyurl.com/2025MLA-Prog...

#misslib2025
July 1, 2025 at 6:45 PM
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Become a member today or renew your membership, and you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a handmade Mississippi-shaped charcuterie board.

Click the link to join or renew: mla42.wildapricot.org/join
June 25, 2025 at 7:42 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
The Virgia Brocks-Shedd Scholarship is awarded to a minority student and is a one-time, non-renewable award paid directly to the recipient. Recipient must attend the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi.
Learn more: www.misslib.org/virgiabrocks-shedd
The Virgia Brocks-Shedd Scholarship is awarded by the Mississippi Library Association Black Caucus Roundtable (BCRT) in honor of the late Virgia Brocks-Shedd who devoted twenty-six years of outstanding service to the Humanities. This award is made annually to a minority student and is a one-time, non-renewable award paid directly to the recipient. The recipient must attend the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Southern Mississippi at Hattiesburg. Learn more: www.misslib.org/virgiabrocks-shedd
June 19, 2025 at 10:13 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
The Peggy May/MLA Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for the education of individuals planning to be professional librarians, information specialists, or media specialists in academic, public, school or special libraries.

Learn more: www.misslib.org/peggymayscho...
The Peggy May/MLA Scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance for the education of individuals planning to be professional librarians, information specialists, or media specialists in academic, public, school or special libraries. The scholarship award of $1000 will be made each spring to a qualified undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled or officially admitted in the School of Library and Information Science at The University of Southern Mississippi. Learn more: https://www.misslib.org/peggymayscholarship
June 19, 2025 at 10:09 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
The Terry Lajaunie Memorial Conference Scholarship was designed to provide financial assistance of $500 to a member of the Public Library Section toward the cost of attending the MLA Conference.

Learn more: www.misslib.org/lajaunie
The Terry Lajaunie Memorial Conference Scholarship is awarded by the Mississippi Library Association’s Public Libraries Section. This award was designed to provide financial assistance of $500 to a member of the Public Library Section toward the cost of attending the Mississippi Library Association Annual Conference. The award recognizes candidates for excellent service to the Mississippi Library Association (MLA) and public librarianship in Mississippi. Learn more: www.misslib.org/lajaunie
June 19, 2025 at 10:08 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
Submit your title, abstract (250 words or less), presenter(s), and affiliation, and if you need an easel, backing board, or tabletop display. Please note any special set-up requirements, including the need for an electrical outlet.

Send submissions to Joyce Shaw at joyce.shaw@usm.edu

#misslib2025
June 19, 2025 at 6:35 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
Are you working on an interesting research project? Have you gained insight into programming that you would like to share with your colleagues? Complete this form to present a program at the 2025 MLA Conference.

Submit Proposals by June 30, 2025.
tinyurl.com/2025MLA-Prog...

#misslib2025
April 28, 2025 at 9:34 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
Become a member today or renew your membership, and you'll be automatically entered into a drawing to win a handmade MS-shaped charcuterie board.

Click the link to join or renew: mla42.wildapricot.org/join

For more info: www.facebook.com/share/16Phzd...
April 24, 2025 at 3:43 PM
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Annual Conference 2025

We’re looking for dedicated, creative, and enthusiastic individuals to join several planning committees, including:

✅ Hospitality
✅ Poster Sessions/Programming
✅ Vendors/Exhibits
✅ Registration
✅ MS Author Awards

For more information: www.facebook.com/share/192DDq...
April 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
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Today is Right to Read Day, a reminder that the freedom to read is essential and must be protected. Libraries stand strong for intellectual freedom, diverse voices, and access to information for all.
State of American Libs: tinyurl.com/StateofAmLibs2025
uniteagainstbookbans.org/right-to-read-day/
April 7, 2025 at 6:34 PM
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For graphics and activities created by the Mississippi Library Association's National Library Week committee, visit: www.facebook.com/MSLibraryAss...
April 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
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This year’s theme, “Drawn to the Library,” celebrates how libraries inspire creativity, foster connection, and bring communities together. From books and digital resources to community programs and job assistance, libraries are more than just buildings—they're gateways to opportunity!
April 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
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Your voice can make a difference in preserving these essential community resources. Contact your congressional reps to express your opposition to the elimination of IMLS and advocate for the cont. funding of our nation's libraries.
tinyurl.com/Show-Up-For-IMLS
#MSLibrariesStrong #ForOurLibraries
Raise your voice. We urge all Mississippians to contact their congressional representatives and speak out in support of library funding. Your voice is essential to protecting the resources that strengthen our communities. Image includes MLA logo, link to official website misslib.org, and hashtag MSLibrariesStrong.
March 27, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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We urge library advocates to contact their congressional representatives to oppose this executive order and support the continued existence of IMLS.​

Contact your representative: tinyurl.com/Show-Up-For-...

#MSLibrariesStrong #ForOurLibraries #SaveIMLS
Cutting IMLS Threatens. Cutting IMLS funding would disproportionately harm rual and underserved communities, limiting educational and economic opportunities. It would also restrict libraries' ability to purchase books, maintain technology, attend professional training, and provide essential services that saw over 4.3 million in-person visits in Mississippi last year. These cuts represent more than $600,000 in funds that directly support local libraries through the Grants to States program, which also provides statewide databases for reference services, Talking Book Services for those who are visually impaired, computers and Wi-Fi, eBooks and audiobooks, cataloging, interlibrary loan, collection management, and more. Image includes MLA logo, link to official website www.misslib.org, and hashtag MSLibrariesStrong
March 26, 2025 at 5:27 PM
mslibraryassoc.bsky.social
Despite their significant impact, fed funding for libs constitutes a mere 0.003% of the annual budget. This modest investment supports over 1.2B in-person visits each year, underscoring the immense value libraries provide nationwide. ​
tinyurl.com/Show-Up-For-IMLS
#MSLibrariesStrong #ForOurLibraries
Libraries are essential. Libraries receive just 0.003% of the federal budget, yet they provide essential services that benefit all Mississippians. This funding supports early childhood literacy programs, high-speed internet in rural areas, job search assistance, and access to technology. Image includes MLA logo, link to official website misslib.org, and hashtag MSLibrariesStrong.
March 25, 2025 at 5:03 PM
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The Mississippi Library Association (MLA) opposes President Trump's recent executive order aimed at eliminating the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).

Contact your representative: tinyurl.com/Show-Up-For-...

#MSLibrariesStrong #ForOurLibraries #SaveIMLS
MLA responds to White House order on IMLS. The Mississippi Library Association opposes the Trump administration's executive order, Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, which includes eliminating "non-statutory components and functions" of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This decision threatens a critical program that provides essential funding for library services and programs across our state. We urge the administration to reconsider and rescind this order to protect these vial resources. Image includes official MLA logo, website link misslib.org, and hastag MSLibrariesStrong.
March 24, 2025 at 5:22 PM
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MLA Press Release — Statement on White House Executive Order Regarding the Institute of Museum and Library Services The Mississippi Library Association opposes the Trump administration’s executive order, Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy, which includes eliminating "non-statutory components and functions" of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This decision threatens a critical program that provides essential funding for library services and programs across our state. We urge the administration to reconsider and rescind this order to protect these vital resources. Libraries receive just 0.003% of the federal budget, yet they provide essential services that benefit all Mississippians. This funding supports early childhood literacy programs, high-speed internet in rural areas, job search assistance, and access to technology. Cutting IMLS funding would disproportionately harm rural and underserved communities, limiting educational and economic opportunities. It would also restrict libraries’ ability to purchase books, maintain technology, attend professional training, and provide essential services that saw over 4.3 million in-person visits in Mississippi last year. These cuts represent more than $600,000 in funds that directly support local libraries through the Grants to States program, which also provides statewide databases for reference services, Talking Book Services for those who are visually impaired, computers and Wi-Fi, eBooks and audiobooks, cataloging, interlibrary loan, collection management, and more. We urge all Mississippians to contact their congressional representatives and speak out in support of library funding. Your voice is essential to protecting the resources that strengthen our communities. MLA Executive Board, March 2025 www.misslib.org
March 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
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Thank you to everyone who joined us in advocating for strong library funding! Let’s keep working together to ensure our libraries remain essential resources for all Mississippians.
Photo of librarians and library advocates at the Mississippi State Capitol for Legislative Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.
March 13, 2025 at 9:36 PM
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The MLA Legislative Day is happening at the State Capitol on Wed, March 12, from 8–11:30 AM. This is a crucial opportunity to advocate for libraries, literacy, and lifelong learning in our state!

If you are interested in joining us, please fill out this form: msstate.libwizard.com/f/legislativ...
Photo of Mississippi State Capitol building with the text "Mississippi Library Association, Legislative Day at the Capitol, Wednesday, March 12, 8-11:30 a.m., State Capitol Rotunda, Jackson, MS"
February 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM