Mississippi Library Association

Registration open MLA Annual Conference 2025 October 16-17 2025 Hattiesburg Convention Center Hattiesburg Mississippi. Photo contains image of Hattiesburg Convention Center.

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

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

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

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

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

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 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

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 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

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

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

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

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...

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...

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/

For graphics and activities created by the Mississippi Library Association's National Library Week committee, visit: www.facebook.com/MSLibraryAss...

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!

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.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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 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

ALA response to White House assault on IMLS To dismiss the mission of an agency that advances opportunity and learning is to dismiss the aspirations and everyday needs of millions of Americans. And those who will feel that loss most keenly live in rural communities.  As seedbeds of literacy and innovation, our nation’s 125,000 public, school, academic and special libraries deserve more, not less support. Libraries translate 0.003% of the federal budget into programs and services used by more than 1.2 billion people every year. Show Up for Our Libraries, ALA American Library Association, #ForOurLibraries

President Trump's executive order to eliminate the Institute of Museum & Library Services would have disastrous effects for communities nationwide. We call on all Americans who value reading & learning to reach out to their elected leaders.

Read ALA's full response: www.ala.org/news/2025/03...

We'll have more to share in the coming days. But what can you do right now? Call Congress. Call your state and local officials. Tell them exactly what's at stake if the President's order stands: the future of America's libraries.

It's time to Show Up #ForOurLibraries: bit.ly/ALA-LibraryStoryIMLS

Show Up For Our Libraries! By eliminating the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Trump administration's Executive Order is cutting off at the knees the most beloved and trusted of American institutions and the staff and services they offer. ALA American Library Association. #ForOurLibraries

🚨NEW🚨: Donald Trump is attempting to strip away federal support for libraries. We will NOT let that happen.

Last night the President signed an order to gut the Institute of Museum & Library Services. But together, we know we can show up & defeat it.

Full EO: www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...

Photo of librarians and library advocates at the Mississippi State Capitol for Legislative Day at the Capitol on Wednesday, March 12, 2025.

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 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"

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...