PASCAGOULA, Miss. — The Jackson-George Regional Library System (JGRLS) welcomes September with a full calendar of opportunities to read, learn, create, connect and discover. Throughout the month, patrons can celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month, explore Freegal Music, attend special events and recurring programs at local branches, and take advantage of digital library resources from home.

Systemwide September Highlights

Library Card Sign-Up Month: “The Evolution of the Library Card”

This September, JGRLS is celebrating how the library card has evolved from a traditional key to books on the shelf into a gateway to books and audiobooks, digital collections, educational resources, technology, programs, entertainment, research tools and lifelong learning. Residents are invited to share photos and memories of older library cards and to visit any JGRLS location to learn what today’s library card can do.

“This is my card I’d forgotten I had until a year or so ago when I found it in my ‘treasure box.’ I got it from the Moss Point library pre-Katrina! Had my mother’s name on it since I was still a juvenile.” — William Burgess

“Mine is one of the older designs! With my mom’s signature on the back to sign for my card because I was a juvenile whenever I got it. So special to me!” — Amber McMahon

“I used to have the paper card with the metal in it when I was a kid, but I always stuck it in my back pocket of my jeans, forgot it was there, and Mom would wash clothes and my library card would disintegrate!” — Jeanne Damiano

September E-Resource Highlight: Freegal Music

JGRLS is encouraging library cardholders to discover Freegal Music, an e-resource that allows users to create playlists, stream songs and albums, download songs to keep, and use AI-powered search and recommendations. Patrons can visit FreegalMusic.com or download the Freegal Music app, sign in with JGRLS library card information, explore the collection and share favorite discoveries with JGRLS on social media.

Millions of songs. Endless possibilities. One library card.

Labor Day Closure

All JGRLS branches will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day and will reopen Tuesday, September 8, at regular operating hours. While buildings are closed, patrons may continue to use digital resources available through www.jgrls.org.

East Central Public Library — Hurley

September events:

• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 10 a.m.–noon — Spotlight: Library Resources, featuring the JGRLS website and electronic resources including Libby, Universal Class and more. Attendees may bring a laptop or personal device.
• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. — “Space…The Office Space,” a Star Trek-inspired creative challenge using ordinary office supplies to build imaginative starships.
• September — Sign-ups begin for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten, a free year-round reading challenge for children from birth to age 5, with milestones and prizes.

Recurring and ongoing programs: Mahjong Club meets Wednesdays from 12:30–3:30 p.m. with beginner instruction, guided play and open play. “Teatime Thursday” is held every Thursday at 1 p.m. with Ms. Tammy for conversation and community.

For more information: 228-588-6263

Gautier Public Library

September events:

• Saturday, Sept. 5, 2 p.m. — Craft Café: Diamond Painting Bookmarks. Supplies and snacks are provided by the Gautier Friends of the Library; reservations are encouraged.
• Saturday, Sept. 12, 11 a.m. — National Chocolate Day Chocolate Dipping program. Space is limited and reservations are requested.
• Saturday, Sept. 19, 10:30 a.m. — Page Turners Book Club discusses The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister at Baywood Nutrition, 3880 Gautier Vancleave Road.

Recurring and ongoing programs: The Community Propagation Station offers free plant cuttings while supplies last, and the Gautier Seed Library offers free flower and vegetable seed packets. Bingo Night is held the first Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Antonio’s Pizzeria; Junk Journaling meets the first Saturday at 11 a.m.; Lap Sit Story Time is Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m.; Story Time is Thursdays at 10 a.m.; Friends of the Library meets the third Wednesday at 10 a.m.; and Trivia Night is held the last Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. at Antonio’s Pizzeria.

For more information: 228-497-4531

Lucedale-George County Public Library

September events:

• Wednesday, Sept. 2, 4:30–6:30 p.m. — Final session of Cooking Matters, a six-week hands-on cooking course offered with Mississippi State University Extension.
• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m. — County Fair Exhibits Children’s Program with guest presenter Ann Howard of the George County Farm Bureau and MSU Extension Office. Children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Thursday, Sept. 10, 4 p.m. — Intro to Tabletop Role-Playing Games for tweens and teens in sixth grade and up.
• Monday, Sept. 14, 1 p.m. — GCASA Homeschool Art Contest featuring drawing, coloring, painting, sculpture and mixed media.
• Sept. 14, 18 and 26 — Mahjong Open Play sessions. Advance sign-up is encouraged; each session is limited to 16 participants.
• Thursday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. — Volunteer Interest Meeting for teens and adults interested in library service.
• Tuesday, Sept. 22, 4 p.m. — Children’s Fall Craft. All supplies are provided; children under 10 must be accompanied by an adult.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 4 p.m. — Teen Crochet Club Grandparents Day celebration and Adult Fall Craft: Button Pumpkin.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 4:30 p.m. — “To Be a Princess” Mother-Daughter Tea Party hosted by Annie Hillman, Miss Southern Magnolia Volunteer.

Recurring and ongoing programs: Story Time is held Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; LEGO Club meets the first and third Tuesday at 4 p.m.; Bingo is held the second Tuesday at 2 p.m.; Library Club meets the fourth Wednesday; Teen Crochet Club meets the fourth Thursday at 4 p.m.; Friends of the Library meets the first Thursday at 3:30 p.m.; and Writers Club meets the last Tuesday at 5 p.m.

For more information: 601-947-2123

Ina Thompson Moss Point Library

September events:

• September Storytimes feature themes on Sept. 1, 8, 12, 15, 22 and 29, including International Literacy Day, International Dot Day and fall-themed programs.
• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 5 p.m. — Spirit Night denim painting for adults ages 18 and older. Participants should bring their own denim item.
• Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. — “The Art of the Fold” book-folding workshop. Materials are provided; advance registration is encouraged.
• Tuesday, Sept. 22, 5 p.m. — Hummingbird Bookmarks craft. Registration is required.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m.–noon — Fraud Prevention: Why Online Safety Matters, sponsored by Navigator Credit Union.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 5 p.m. — “Whispers in the Woods” Adult Paint Night. Materials are provided; advance registration is encouraged.

Recurring and ongoing programs: The Book Nook Tea Club meets the last Wednesday at 4 p.m.; “We Don’t Judge” Book Club meets the second Wednesday at 5 p.m. for adults; The Tuesday Casefiles: Mystery & Mayhem meets the third Tuesday at 4 p.m.; Mindful Motion meets the second Tuesday at 4 p.m.; The Tuesday Case File: Mystery & Mayhem is also offered on the last Tuesday at 4 p.m.; Literary Compass meets the last Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.; and the Midweek Literary Society meets every other Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.

For more information: 228-475-7462

Ocean Springs Municipal Library

September events:

• Thursday, Sept. 3, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Community Blood Drive in partnership with the American Red Cross at 525 Dewey Ave.

Recurring and ongoing programs: Bead & Craft Club meets the first and third Thursday from 5–6 p.m.; True Crime Book Club meets the second Thursday from 5–6:30 p.m. at Pass Books; “Shut Up & Write!” meets every other Wednesday from 4:30–6 p.m.; Lapsit Story Time is Tuesdays at 10 a.m.; Weekly Story Time is Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; Kids Drawing Club and Tween/Teen Drawing Club meet every other Wednesday; Board Game Exchange is available whenever the library is open; Tea Club and “CRAFTernoon” Teatime are held on the fourth Tuesday; Robotics & STEM Club meets every other Tuesday from 5:30–6:30 p.m.; Junk Journaling meets the second Saturday from 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; All-Abilities Story Time meets the third Monday at 10 a.m.; Mahjong meets Thursdays from 3–5 p.m.; adult Bingo is the third Thursday at 2 p.m.; Cookbook Club is the third Saturday from noon–1 p.m.; the Puzzle Competition is the first Saturday at 10 a.m.; Teen Book Club meets the last Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Snow & Boba; Gaming Club is the third Wednesday at 5 p.m.; Evening Book Club is the fourth Tuesday at 5 p.m.; Watercolor Class is the second Monday at 10 a.m.; Memory Café is the first Monday at 9:30 a.m. at the Ocean Springs Senior Center; Library Mystery Society is the second Saturday at noon; LEGO Club meets the first and third Tuesday from 3:30–5 p.m.; and “Sit, Stay, Read!” is the last Saturday from 10 a.m.–noon with advance sign-up requested.

For more information: 228-875-1193

Pascagoula Public Library

This fall, Pascagoula Public Library is launching “Real-World Ready: Life Skills for Teens,” a series covering practical topics such as personal finance, sewing, cooking, automotive care and more. Individual program dates and topics will be announced.

September events:

• Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. — Comedy Open Mic Night featuring family-friendly jokes and community participation.
• Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4–6 p.m. — Board Game Evening with board games, chess, checkers, puzzles and card games. RSVP is encouraged.
• Friday, Sept. 18, 1–2 p.m. — Introduction to Ancestry.com workshop using Ancestry Library Edition. Registration is requested.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 4–5 p.m. — LEGO Club for children. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
• Friday, Sept. 25, 2 p.m. — Card Game Night. Participants may bring a favorite card game from home.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2 p.m. — DIY Bullet Journal Workshop for teens ages 13–18. Space is limited and registration is first-come, first-served.
• Tuesday, Sept. 29, 4–6 p.m. — Paint Your Own Coffee Mugs. Only 12 spots are available; mugs are provided by the Friends of the Pascagoula Library.

Recurring and ongoing programs: Preschool Storytime is held Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; Teatime is held Tuesdays from noon–2 p.m.; and Silent Circle Book Club meets the third Tuesday from 5–6 p.m.

For more information: 228-769-3060

St. Martin Public Library

September events:

• Tuesday, Sept. 1, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. — Community Blood Drive in partnership with the American Red Cross. Appointments are encouraged through RedCrossBlood.org.
• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 1 p.m. — T-Shirt Tote Bag program for homeschoolers ages 6–11.
• Wednesday, Sept. 9, 3:30 p.m. — Dancing Popcorn Experiment for children ages 6–11.
• Monday, Sept. 14, 1–2:30 p.m. — What’s New in Canva, highlighting features for flyers, presentations, spreadsheets and more.
• Wednesday, Sept. 16, 3:30 p.m. — Autumn Tree Painting for children ages 6–11.
• Thursday, Sept. 17, 4 p.m. — “Lock Your Doors: Let’s Talk True Crime!” for adults ages 18 and older.
• Saturday, Sept. 19, 10 a.m. — Saturday Storytime in the Children’s Library.
• Wednesday, Sept. 23, 3 p.m. — DIY Canvas Tote Bags for adults ages 18 and older. Registration begins Sept. 1.
• Thursday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. — Special Storytime with Papa Johns’ Mr. Slice, featuring a story, games and photo opportunities.

Recurring and ongoing programs: LEGO Club meets the third Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. for school-aged children; The Creative Collective teen art program meets the second Monday at 4:30 p.m.; and Homeschool Crafternoon is held the second Tuesday from 1–2 p.m.

For more information: 228-392-3250

Vancleave Public Library

September events:

• Wednesday, Sept. 2, 1 p.m. — Homeschool STEM Challenge featuring hands-on problem-solving. Registration is available at the front desk or by phone.
• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 3 p.m. — Financial Literacy: Credit Management with Navigator Credit Union.
• Tuesday, Sept. 8, 4 p.m. — Roaring Foldables creative art activity for children ages 5 and older.
• Thursday, Sept. 10, 5 p.m. — Draw Your Name Challenge for adults. Registration is required and space is first-come, first-served.

Recurring and ongoing programs: Cookie Baking for seniors meets Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. with first-come, first-served registration; Open Studio Tuesdays runs from 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Sewing Machine 101 is available by appointment; Vancleave Quilting Bees meets Mondays from 4–6 p.m.; Story Time is Thursdays at 10 a.m.; Beginning Crochet is Wednesdays at 10 a.m.; LEGO Club: Building Friendships meets the first Monday at 5 p.m.; Book Talk & Potluck meets the first Wednesday at 1 p.m.; and First Friday Food Trucks are scheduled from 11 a.m.–7 p.m., or until sold out.

For more information: 228-826-5857

Plan Your Visit

Most JGRLS programs are free and open to the public, but some activities have limited seating or require advance registration. Patrons are encouraged to contact the hosting branch before attending programs that require reservations or have limited space. For branch locations, hours, online resources and the latest program updates, visit www.jgrls.org or follow @JacksonGeorgeLibrary on Facebook and Instagram.

Inspiring Ideas. Enriching Lives. Building Communities.