News

Stephen Parks, State Law Library, has been selected by the American Association of Law Libraries for its 2018 Emerging Leader Award.  The Emerging Leader Award recognizes members in the first ten years of their career who have already made significant contributions to the Association and the profession and have demonstrated the potential for leadership and continuing service.  Parks will accept the award at the Association’s Annual Meeting in Baltimore this July.

Dr. Deborah Lee has been named associate dean of public services at the Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries.  Most recently, Lee was professor and coordinator of graduate student services for the MSU Libraries and also served as co-director of the Mississippi State University Quality Enhancement Plan.  Prior to that, she served as coordinator of library instruction and associate director of the Center for Teaching and Learning at MSU.  Lee has a Ph.D. and M.S. in Business Administration from Mississippi State University and a M.S. in Library and Information Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.  Her research focuses on teaching and learning issues related to higher education.

Kristin Causey comes to First Regional Library from Columbia County Library in Evans, Georgia. She has worked in public libraries for seven years and received her Master's in Library and Information Studies from the University of Alabama. She started with FRL on May 1, 2018 and is busy getting to know the staff and her community.

Photograph by David Brown

Kathryn New joined the faculty at The University of Southern Mississippi Libraries on May 14, 2018, as Assistant Professor/Arts and Humanities Librarian. Kathryn earned her MLIS degree from Florida State University in April 2016. She also has a BA in history from Mississippi State University. Kathryn most recently worked as Teen Services Librarian at the New Orleans Public Library.

Carla Carlson joined the Special Collections staff at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) as Assistant Curator, Historical Manuscripts at the beginning of the year. Carla’s background is in cataloguing, have spent 22 years in USM Technical Services. She first joined the Cook Library staff as a student worker, assisting researchers at the reference desk in Public Services.

Carla was awarded the position after a national search. After working with all types of materials and patrons for nearly 29 years, Carla was looking for a new challenge that combined her favorite aspects of working for University Libraries. “I found that in Special Collections,” she remarked, “where I can help researchers from all over the country explore our vast primary resources.”  Her former experience in cataloguing and space-planning is also proving beneficial as Special Collections begins its implementation of ArchivesSpace and management of an off-site facility. As a long-time residence of Hattiesburg, she also brings with her a wealth of community knowledge.

Carla first came to USM as an art student, obtaining her BFA in Drawing & Painting in 1995.  In her life away from work, she enjoys home improvement projects and is an avid painter.

Richard Greene, Executive Director of the Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System will be retiring on June 30, 2018 after 42 years of outstanding and dedicated service.  Richard began his career with the Library System in 1976.  Prior to becoming Executive Director of MMRLS, he served 2 years as Executive Director of the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Library System.

Richard obtained his Bachelor’s degree from Rochester Institute of Technology in Rochester New York and his Master’s Degree in Library Science from Syracuse University in Syracuse New York and advanced business courses at Mississippi State University.

Richard is a Past President, Vice President and Legislative Chairman of the Mississippi Library Association.  He received the Association’s prestigious Peggy May State Service Award in 2000.

Richard successfully led the statewide efforts to have the Mississippi Legislature fund 100% statewide health insurance for all public library employees.

Active in his community, Richard received the 1986 Outstanding Citizen Award and the 1986 Golden Shovel Award from the Kosciusko Chamber of Commerce.  He is a Past President and Vice President of the Kosciusko Lions Club. He served several years as Staff-Parish Chairman of the Kosciusko First United Methodist Church.

During the 42 years of Richard’s administration, all 13 system libraries have built new buildings or added additions to their buildings, installed public access internet computers, installed an automated circulation system, gained access to over 3.2 million books through the Mississippi Library Partnership, provided Wi-Fi service, and participated in ongoing staff training and development.

Josh Haidet is the incoming Executive Director of the Mid-Mississippi Regional Library System. Prior to coming to MMRLS, he served the last 6 years as Executive Director of the East Mississippi Regional Library System.

Josh received his Bachelor’s Degree from The Ohio State University where he majored in Political Science and Classical Humanities.  He received his Master’s Degree in Library and Informational Science from the University of Southern Mississippi.

Josh is a member of the Mississippi Library Association and the Association for Rural and Small Libraries.  He has served as a committee member for Clarke County Mississippi’s Excel by 5 program and the Quitman School District’s “One District, One Book” program. He is also Past President and member of the Clarke County Lion’s Club.

Originally from Alliance Ohio, Josh has recently relocated to Kosciusko from Quitman, Mississippi and is looking forward to being active in the local community.

Photograph by Mississippi Library Commission

The Bolivar County Library System is pleased to recognize two individuals for their dedication and support of the Rosedale Public Library and the Bolivar County Library System.

Rebecca “Becky” Lewis, the Bolivar County Library Board member from District 1, was instrumental in spearheading the much-needed renovation of the Rosedale Public Library. On February 6, 2018, the Rosedale City Council presented Ms. Lewis with a resolution of appreciation for her volunteer service to the Rosedale Public Library. Ms. Lewis has served on the Library Board for 9 years.

Photograph by Jennifer Wann

Rebecca Lewis with Rosedale Vice Mayor Tracy Robinson

Joyce Applegate was the beloved librarian at the Rosedale Public Library for 20 years from 1986-2006 and has remained a staunch supporter of the library ever since. At the Open House celebrating the completion of renovations at the library held on January 26, 2018, the meeting room at the library was renamed the “Joyce Applegate Room” in her honor.

Photograph by Tamara Blackwell

Left to right – Rosedale Librarian Martha Lawson, BCLS Director Jennifer Wann and Joyce Applegate

Jim Thompson is the Director of Library Services for Holmes Community College.  He is a proponent of new technologies and diverse services within libraries and teaches technology outreach classes to the community. He is Vice President of the Holmes County Chamber of Commerce and is currently writing a book about career exploration with shadowing opportunities in early academic careers.

http://Linkedin.com/in/james-thompson-67abba52

Brandi Katterjohn, a library assistant at the M.R. Davis Public Library, a branch of First Regional Library, received her M.L.S.  in December 2017.  Brandi focused on academic libraries and is very interested in working in an academic setting.

Photograph by Brittani Vassel-Maggitt