FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(Canton, MS – September 17, 2007) – Jennifer Finch returned to the Ridgeland Branch of the Madison County Library System loaded with information and ideas gained from attending Librarianship 101 Institute, hosted recently by the Mississippi Library Commission at the Cabot Lodge Millsaps in Jackson, Mississippi.

Participation in the fourth annual Institute was based on a statewide competitive selection process, with public library directors being asked to nominate staff members. Thirty participants representing 20 of Mississippi’s 50 public library systems attended the intensive, week-long training designed to introduce library paraprofessionals to all aspects of professional librarianship. Training ran the gamut from the history and governance of public libraries to practical skills designed to help participants provide better service to library patrons.

Participants said the training would be helpful to take back to their home libraries and share with co-workers. “The entire experience was wonderful and I got to meet librarians from all over the state and made some great contacts,” Jennifer commented. Experts at the Mississippi Library Commission and the Southeastern Library Network, Inc. provided the training. As Commission executive director Sharman Smith remarked, “I am still in awe of our students, of their attention to all of the information provided, and of their enthusiasm. From the perspective of the Library Commission, and because of the participants, the Institute was a great success.”

The Library Commission hosts more than a dozen continuing education workshops each year to increase the skills of Mississippi’s public libraries. Workshops scheduled for this year include basic librarianship skills, youth services, library security, financial management, technology training, and summer library programs.

Contact:
Jason Moore
Assistant Systems Administrator / Public Information Officer
Madison County Library System
Canton, MS
(601)-859-7733 x108
jmoore@mcls.ms