Summer is almost here! Take a look at all of the events happening at your local JGRLS library and mark your calendars. There is something for everyone! Visiting the library is a great way to beat the summer heat, while also enjoying fun, creative and educational activities.
East Central George Broadus branch manager – 228-588-6263
Thursday Storytime @ East Central
HURLEY, MS __ Join us every Thursday morning at 10 am, for story time at East Central. We will have songs, activities, and stories for kids, sponsored by the Friends of East Central Public Library. Intended for children aged 2 through preschool age ( 2-5 years).
Legos @ My Library
HURLEY, MS __ Bring your friends to East Central Library every Wednesday from 4 to 5 pm for Legos at My Library. Intended for children ages 8 and up.
Gautier Melinda “Ann” Rushing, Branch Manager – 228-497-4531
Storytime with Mrs. Donna
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us for Storytime with Mrs. Donna every Thursday at 10 a.m. We will enjoy music, crafts, and our favorite picture books. Storytime is intended for children from preschool to kindergarten.
1st Tuesday Homeschool S.T.E.A.M. Day
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us for Homeschool S.T.E.A.M. the first Tuesday (May 2nd) of the month at 2pm . Meet with other local homeschool families to make Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math combine learning fun! These simple S.T.E.A.M. experiments are designed for multiple ages, so bring the whole family. Light refreshments provided by the Gautier Friends of the Library. Sign up by calling (228) 497-4531 or visiting our front desk, and let us know how many children will be attending with your family.
Gautier Teen Advisory Group
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us on the 4th Saturday of each month at 1:00 pm for the GPL Teen Advisory Group! Students in 6th – 12th grades are welcome. You will have food and fun and receive volunteer hours! Call the library to register!
Meal and a Mystery
GAUTIER, MS __ Are you an amateur sleuth or a gumshoe? Join us for our “Meal and a Mystery” event on May 4th; dinner at 5:30 pm and mystery at 6:00 pm. Visit the library to have a meal while collaborating with others to solve a mystery. There is no cost for this event. Please call to sign up at 228 497-4531; space is limited. This program is for ages 18 and older.
Stars Wars Week @ Gautier Public Library
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us in a week-long celebration beginning May 1st through May 6th for May 4th Star Wars Day! There will be daily events for all ages in the family. May the 4th be with you!
Monday @ 6pm – 3-D Star Wars Figure Painting (family)
Tuesday @ 6pm – Star Wars Movie Trivia (family)
Wednesday @ 6pm – Star Wars BINGO (family)
Thursday @ 10am – Star Wars Storytime (pre-k)
Friday @ 2pm – Star Wars Escape Room (family)
Saturday @ 2pm – Jedi Academy (elementary)
Summer Supply Drive for JC Animal Shelter
GAUTIER, MS __ The Gautier Friends of the Library is having a Supply Drive in June 2023. Drop off supplies for the animal shelter at the library during June and receive a chance to win the Summer Library Program grand prize. For a wish list please visit https://pets.co.jackson.ms.us/169/Donations-Wish-List
GPL Create! Springtime Painting
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us for an evening of fun springtime arts and crafts at the library, Thursday, May 18 at 6pm. At no cost to you, come paint and design your own canvas bag. This event is intended for those 18 and older. Beverages will be available to add to this fun-filled activity. Refreshments are provided by the Gautier Friends of the Library.
GPL Create! Springtime Painting
GAUTIER, MS __ Tuesday, May 23 at 5:30 pm, let’s create pretty homemade pressed flower lanterns using pressed flowers, baby food jars, and decoupage. This event is intended for those 18 and older.
Lucedale -Cynthia Morgan, Branch Manager (601) 947-2123
Cinco de Mayo Craft Program
LUCEDALE, MS __ May 4 at 4 pm, make a craft and learn a little about Cinco de
Mayo! This program is intended for children in 5th grade and younger. Children under 10
years old must be accompanied by an adult. Call to register at (601) 947-2123.
Invita a tus amigos
Caring for House Plants: Happy Mother’s Day
LUCEDALE, MS __ May 11 at 4 pm, learn about caring for indoor plants and bring one home for your mother this Mother’s Day! This youth program is presented by Ann Howard and is intended for youth ages 12 to 16 years old. Ann Howard has been with the Farm Bureau/ Mississippi Federation of Women in Agriculture for five years. She has also worked for the Mississippi State Extension Services for eighteen years.
Adult Coloring
LUCEDALE, MS __ Who said coloring is just for kids? Join us at the Lucedale-George County Public Library on May 15th at 2:00 pm for a special adult coloring program. No supplies are needed, just come out and have a blast.
Craft and Tell
LUCEDALE, MS __ Bring any project you are working on that is portable to the Lucedale-George Public Library, on May 22nd at 2:00 pm and spend an hour with like-minded crafty people. This program is intended for patrons 17 and older.
Medicare Basics 101 for Seniors
LUCEDALE, MS __ Want to learn about Medicare? Join us on May 25, at 11 am and hear what presenter Kenya A Winston, with WinSmart Financial partnered with UnitedHealth Care, has to say about Medicare, the basics of Medicare, enrollment periods, the type of plans available with UnitedHealth Care, and benefits that UnitedHealth Care plans offer. Have questions, she has answers!
Summer Library Program Kick-Off: All Together Now!
LUCEDALE, MS __ Bring the family, eat a hot dog and check out all the festivities , Thursday, June 1, 2-4 pm at the Summer Library Program in the courtyard. Check out all the awesome prizes and planned programs for the summer. Participate in a raffle and help us color giant posters.
Moss Point- Lynn Rainey, Branch Manager 228-763-3130
Storytime Tuesdays @ MP’s Family Education Center
MOSS POINT, MS __ Pre-schoolers, and families join us for storytime every Tuesday at 10 am at the Moss Point School District’s Family Education Center (FEC) located at 3524 Prentiss Ave. Enjoy stories in the library vault and a craft.
Patrons may visit www.JGRLS.org and find account information using a library card number and PIN to reserve materials and use free electronic resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more announcements, follow the library on Facebook or Instagram @JacksonGeorgeLibrary.
Ocean Springs @ Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center – Lynn Rainey, Branch Manager 228-763-3130
Lap Sit Storytime with Ms. Mo!
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ The Ocean Springs Municipal Library presents special story times every Tuesday, beginning February 7th at 11 am through May at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center ( Visual Arts Room 2nd floor). Toddlers and infants will enjoy the interactive time, reading together with parents, singing, and moving. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult. For more information contact 228-769-3060 ext. 1237
Wednesday Pre-K Storytime with Ms. Mo!
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ Start your day with stories, music, and more on Wednesdays beginning at 10 am with Pre-k Storytime with Ms. Mo at the Mary C. O’Keefe Cultural Arts Center ( Visual Arts Room 2nd floor). All ages are welcome.
Pascagoula – Jim Thompson branch manager – 228-769-3060
Sit! Stay! Read!@ the Library?
PASCAGOULA, MS __ Join the fun! 3rd Saturdays, 12-2 pm for Join us for Visiting Pet Teams of South Mississippi! Read Stories to Pets! “Sit! Stay! Read!” To help improve their reading skills, children read one-on-one to licensed pet therapy dogs! Dogs enable kids to tackle the serious issue of childhood illiteracy in a fun way. Because pets accept people without conditions, children are free of the stress of judgments and expectations. Children must be accompanied by a parent, grandparent, or adult guardian.
Story Hour in Spanish
PASCAGOULA, MS __ Join us every third Friday at 11 am for a story hour in Spanish at the Pascagoula Public Library.
Únase a nosotros cada tercer viernes a las 11 am para la hora del cuento en español en la Biblioteca Pública de Pascacagoula.
Pascagoula Lego Club
PASCAGOULA, MS __ Come let your children explore the limits of their imagination and utilize their creativity to build architectural Lego masterpieces on the last Tuesday of the month at 4 pm. Legos provided by the library, inspiration provided by you. Children under 10 must be accompanied by a parent or adult.
Star Wars Galactic Experience
PASCAGOULA, MS __ The Pascagoula Public Library will host “A Night of Star Wars Bingo” on May 4 at 6:00 pm. Bring the family, grab your saber, and celebrate Star Wars with an evening in the dueling Sabers Cantina, the annual cosplay contest, Jedi Force Academy, Star Wars trivia, and bingo to test your knowledge, escape room, and much more. Materials, refreshments, and prizes will be provided by Friends of the Pascagoula Library. Call the library for more information at 228-769-3060.
Red Cross Day
PASCAGOULA, MS __ Join your library in giving blood to help those in need on May 10. The American Red Cross, in partnership with the Friends of the Pascagoula Public Library, is hosting a blood drive (11-4) and a free luncheon (12-1) for those wishing to learn about sickle cell anemia. All attendees of the luncheon must register prior to the event at the library circulation desk or call the library at 228-769-3060.
Cupcake Wars!
PASCAGOULA, MS __ Do you have what it takes to design the best-looking cupcake? Teens join us Thursday, May 25th at 2 pm for Cupcake Wars! This program will challenge you with special ingredients while you race against the clock to create the most unique cupcake. Judges will determine who will be the winner of the Teen Cupcake War. For ages 11 to 18. Space is limited so please call 228-769-3060 to register.
St. Martin – Amber Schultze, Branch Manager – 228-392-3250
St. Martin Free Bingo Tuesday
MARTIN, MS __ Bring your friends and play FREE Bingo! Try this exciting game and an afternoon out with friends on the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Prizes will be given away! The Friends of the St. Martin Public Library provides light refreshments. This program is intended for those ages 17 and up. For more information, call 228-392-3250.
Fantasy Fiction for the Reading Addicted
MARTIN, MS __ Join us on March 6, April 3, and May 8, 5 pm at the St. Martin Library. Are you a fan of fantasy stories? Have you ever wanted to try reading the fantasy genre? Join us monthly for book recommendations and discussions focusing on the fantasy genre. This program is intended for those ages 17 and up. Refreshments are provided by the Friends of the St. Martin Public Library.
St. Martin Lego Club
MARTIN, MS __ ST. MARTIN, MS __ If you have the creativity, then we have the LEGOs. If you love building with LEGOs, this is the program for you! Children are encouraged to come to the library on April 25th and May 23rd at 3:30 pm for Lego Club in the Children’s area. Build with a team or make a creation of your own. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. The Friends of the St. Martin Library provides light refreshments. Call 228-392-3250 to register today!
Chess Club
MARTIN, MS __ Join us at the library for Chess Club! May 4 and 8, 4-6:30 pm; May 27, 12- 2 pm. Learn how to play chess and play some friendly competitive games all taught by a local chess player, Patrick Cassidy! No need to bring any equipment as it will be provided. This program is intended for those ages 17 and up.
Storytime with an Officer
MARTIN, MS __ Join us on May 4, 10 am for a special police officer-themed storytime featuring local law enforcement! Come and listen to stories read by a Jackson County Police Officer. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult.
Mother’s Day Air Clay Trinket Tray
MARTIN, MS __ Thursday, May 11 at 3:30 pm, children ages 6 and up are invited to paint an air clay trinket tray for someone they love. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments are provided by Friends of the Library.
All Together Now! Hands and Hearts
MARTIN, MS __ As summer is getting ready to kick off, we need your helping hands! Join us for this family arts and crafts event. On Tuesday, May 16 at 3:30 pm, help us decorate our meeting room for Summer Library Program with your hands and hearts. We will paint heart-shaped puzzles and make watercolor art as a community. Your art will be displayed on the walls of the meeting room. Refreshments are provided by the Friends of the St. Martin Public Library. Children 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Call to register today!
Health and Wellness Mobile Clinic
ST. MARTIN, MS __ Join us at the library for a health and wellness mobile clinic! May 25, 10 am 0 2:00 pm. The Coastal Family Health Center will have a mobile clinic at the library where they will be providing COVID-19 vaccines as well as basic health screenings. For more information, contact Coastal Family Health Center at 228-374-4991.
Vancleave – Lauria Barton, Branch manager – 228-826-5857
Homeschool Bird Feeder Construction
VANCLEAVE, MS __ On Wednesday, May 10th at 1 pm, come explore different ways to build a bird feeder so that you can identify all the bird species that visit your home! Supplies are limited, so sign up at the front desk or call 228-826-5857 to reserve your spot.
Mother’s Day Tea Party Storytime
VANCLEAVE, MS __ Join us for a fun storytime on May 11, 10 am that will make Mom feel extra.
special. Refreshments will be provided. Register at the front desk or call 228-826-5857. Space is limited.
Glow in the Dark “Slime-tacular”
VANCLEAVE, MS __ Join us for a’ “slime-tacular” evening Tuesday, May 16 at 5 pm. This project can be messy, so please dress accordingly. Supplies are limited. Please sign up at the front desk or call 228-826-5857 to reserve your spot. Open to ages 5-12.
Vancleave Library Friends host the 2nd Annual Spring Arts and Crafts Fair
VANCLEAVE, MS __ The Vancleave Friends of the Library will host their 2nd Spring Arts and Crafts Fair and book sale on Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., at the Vancleave Public library.
The event is an annual festival in the spring and is a wonderful opportunity for crafters to market their handiwork, and for shoppers to buy great holiday gifts. More than 40 arts and crafts vendors will be present with many great hand-crafted items for home decor or gift giving. Booth space may still be available.
Going on inside the library will be the year’s biggest book sale with many nearly new items available at very low prices. All proceeds will go toward the Friends’ library projects and programs.
Library Friends officer Betty Ryals says, “This is one of our most popular events. It is one of the biggest community events for our area and is a significant Friends fund-raiser. This event is so big that we have one in November and May that many in our community and around the county look forward to this every year.”
The library is located at 12604 Highway 57 in Vancleave. For more information, call Betty Ryals, at 228-826-4143 or visit the library at 12604 Highway 57 in Vancleave. For more information about the Friends or libraries, visit the library website at www.JGRLS.org. For more information Lauria Barton, Branch manager – 228-826-5857 or Betty Ryals, 228-826-4143
Faux Fun Crafts
VANCLEAVE, MS __ Create your unique faux geode using common household items Tuesday, May 23 at 5 pm. Supplies are limited; sign up at the front desk or call 228-826-5857 to reserve your spot. Open to ages 12-17.
2023 Summer Library Program Kickoff
VANCLEAVE, MS __Join us for our Summer Kickoff Celebration:2023 Collaborative Summer Library Program on May 31 from 10am to 6:00pm. Spend the day with us and sign your family up for our summer of creative arts and reading activities. We will have a balloon artist, food, and fun for all!
One of the exciting things we will be doing is collecting supplies for our local animal shelter. Please consider donating pet supplies in June to support our little furry friends. Call the library for more information. 228-826-5857. Sponsored by Greer’s Supermarket and Coca-Cola.
