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Page 11 Vol. 68, No. 1, Spring 2004 Mississippi LibrariesLEGISLATIVE DAY 2004:Mississippi’s Future @ Your LibraryBy Rebecca HollandTechnical ServicesLamar County Library Systemrcholland@lamar.lib.ms.usA gathering of 216 Mississippi librarians,trustees, and Friends attended thisyear’s Library Legislative Day held February3 at the Agricultural Museum andEudora Welty Library in Jackson.The speaker for the morning sessionwas Phoebe D. Smith-Porter, a representativeof the upcoming exhibition, “TheGlory of Baroque Dresden.” Ms. Porterentertained the audience with a PowerPoint presentation highlighting the magnificentjewels, armor, artifacts, paintings,and many other items that make up thisimpressive collection.The items included in “The Glory ofBaroque Dresden” exhibition miraculouslyescaped the 1945 firebombing, whichdevastated the city. The collection wasremoved from this historic city and hiddenin outlying areas. The majority of thecollection was later discovered by Soviettroops and taken to Russia. In 1958 theSoviet government returned the collectionto the city of Dresden. The actual exhibitionwill be held March 1 - September 6,2004, at the Mississippi Arts Pavilion inJackson.MLA President Juanita Flandersopened the afternoon session by recognizingMLA Executive Secretary MaryJulia Anderson for her work on behalf ofMLA this past year.Representative Leonard Morris, Chairof the House Medicaid Committee, wasthe afternoon keynote speaker. Selectedas the “2003 Friend of Education,” Morrisstated that the “library is sometimesthe only research tool many childrenhave.” Speaking from his years of experiencein economic development, Morrisstressed, “the library is a vital organ in themake up of the community” – a communitythat industries and businesses evaluatewhen deciding where to locate. Morrisurged, “Don’t sell yourself short.”Representative Morris continued withinformation on the process that a bill mustgo through in order to become a law,important facts to know before approachinga legislator, and different methods forapproaching legislators regarding fundingand other issues. Acknowledging thevalue of public libraries as a library user,Morris said, “The library serves as a placeof solace for me.”The afternoon program continuedwith the presentation of the 2004 MLAPublic Relations Awards. The afternoonprogram concluded with a legislativeupdate session by Frances Coleman,member of the MLA Legislative Committeeand Dean of Libraries at MississippiState University. Coleman emphasizedthe significance of 42 new members inthe legislature and a new governor. Atthis point much is unknown. How do thenew members and new governor viewlibraries? To what extent they will supportus? Coleman also stressed that all ofthe state’s one-time money is gone. Educationwill not be the first to be fundedthis year; rather education is likely to belast.Librarians, trustees, and Friends gatheredagain that evening at the EudoraWelty Library to welcome legislators tothe annual legislative reception. Over100 legislators and officials attended thisyear’s reception.Legislative Day participants browse materials onthe Glory of Baroque Dresden exhibit.First Regional Library Director Jim Anderson andFirst Regional Library Asst. Director CatherineNathan talk with Legislative Day Speaker RepresentativeLeonard Morris.Pamela Pridgen, Director of The Library of Hattiesburg,Petal, and Forrest County (r) speaking withPhoebe D. Porter, guest speaker representing theGlory of Baroque Dresden exhibit.
Mississippi Libraries Vol. 68, No. 1, Spring 2004 Page 12MISSISSIPPI LIBRARYASSOCIATION2004 LEGISLATIVE GOALSIncrease public awareness of the roleof all types of libraries in the educational,informational and economicdevelopment of the state.Secure increased funding for suchstatewide library cooperative efforts asMAGNOLIA, which provides Mississippianswith access to electronicinformational databases through allpublicly-supported libraries.Secure legislative and executive branchsupport of full funding for the MississippiLibrary Commission’s budget, includingdirect state aid for public libraries.Secure legislative and executive branchsupport for bond funding for capitalimprovement needs in public libraries.Strengthen K-12 library programsthrough legislative efforts and relationshipswith State Department of Educationofficials.Secure legislative and executive branchsupport for funding for library programsin Mississippi’s community collegesand institutions of higher learning.Advance library issues through developmentof relationships with countyand municipal associations.Identify and monitor any legislative initiativesthat pertain to or impact thedelivery of library services to Mississippians,including issues related to funding,library governance, intellectualfreedom, access to information, andconfidentiality in the use of librarymaterials and services.Monitor federal activities affectinglibraries and encourage passage ofneeded legislation.Raise awareness of the need for professionallibrarians and qualified staffin libraries.The MLAPublic Relations AwardsPUBLIC RELATIONS AWARDSMid-Mississippi Regional Library SystemBest year-round coordinated effort by a group of libraries topublicize library services in general. (Accepting the awardare (l. to r.) Betty Hathcock, Durant Public Librarian; MayEllen Ellis, Carthage Public Librarian; Linda Bounds, WalnutGrove Public Librarian; Yvonne Clark, Tchula PublicLibrarian; Linda Milner, Assistant Director; Laura Lawson,Lexington Public Librarian; Angie Burrell; West PublicLibrarian; Carolyn Pilgrim, Attala County librarian; andRichard O. Greene, System Director.)GOLDEN BOOK AWARDJackson Friends of the LibraryMost outstanding volunteer effort by an individual or groupdeemed to have contributed most to library awareness in thepast or present. (Accepting the award are (l. to r.) EllenMcLean, Steering Committee; Carol McCallum, Exec. Director,Jackson-Hinds Library System; and Ruth Davis, YouthServices Supervisor.)PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARDSEudora Welty Library (Jackson-Hinds Library System)Best year-round effort by an individual library to publicize libraryservices in general. (Accepting the award are Karen Henderson,Youth Services Assistant and Ruth Davis, Youth Services Supervisor.)PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARDSFirst Regional LibraryBest coordinated effort of several libraries to publicize libraryservices around a single theme or event. (Accepting the award isJim Anderson, Director of First Regional Library System.)PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARDSKiln Public Library (HancockCounty Library System)Best effort by an individual library topublicize library services around a singletheme or event. (Accepting the award isPrima Plauché, Director of HancockCounty Library System.)PUBLIC RELATIONS AWARDSJames Corley, Library Trustee and ArtistSpecial recognition for artistic creation of the “Storytime” statue atthe Lucedale-George County Public Library branch of theJackson-George Regional Library System. (Jim Corley with hiswife Nancy and granddaughter Isabell. Photo credit: Janet Smith.)
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