Spring into your local library this March! Each JGRLS branch is offering several festive, fun, and fulfilling events for all ages. A visit to the library is a must this month.
Here are the events taking place for March 2024:
EAST CENTRAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
For more information contact:
Lynn Rainey branch manager – 228-588-6263
East Central Public Library for LEGO
HURLEY, MS __ Join us every Wednesday from 4 to 5 p.m. at the East Central Public Library for LEGO fun! This event is for ages 8 and up. Bring your friends!
Storytime at East Central Public Library
HURLEY, MS __ Please join us every Thursday morning at 10 a.m. at the East Central Public Library. This week, we have songs, activities, and stories for children aged 2 through preschool age (2-5 years). This event is sponsored by the Friends of the East Central Public Library. For more information, please call the library at 588-6263 or visit us at 21801 Slider Public Library, which is located next to the schools.
Celebrate Women’s History Month- Movie Screening of “The Codebreaker”
HURLEY, MS __ The East Central Public Library is inviting you to celebrate Women’s History Month by joining them for a movie screening of “The Codebreaker” on Tuesday, March 26th at 10 am. The movie is based on the book “The Woman Who Smashed Codes: A True Story of Love, Spies, and the Unlikely Heroine Who Outwitted America’s Enemies”. The Codebreaker is a story about Elizebeth Smith Friedman, a groundbreaking cryptanalyst, who along with her husband, William Friedman, helped develop the methods that led to the creation of the powerful new science of cryptology and laid the foundation for modern codebreaking today. The event will be hosted at the library and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the East Central Public Library.
Easter Celebration
HURLEY, MS __ The East Central Public Library is hosting an Easter Celebration, where the Easter Bunny will be visiting on March 28th from 10 am to 11 am and from 2 pm to 4 pm, as well as on March 30th from 10 am to 3 pm. You can enjoy a special Storytime and crafting time with our special guest, The Easter Bunny! Don’t miss the chance to hop on down and have your picture taken.
Community Heroes: Sheriff Friends
HURLEY, MS __ Join us at the East Central Public Library on March 28th at 10am for a special story time! We will be joined by our local community heroes, the Sheriff Friends, and a special guest, Jackson County Sheriff Ledbetter. During the event, we will read stories, sing songs, and learn about safety from our local heroes. After the Storytime, there will be photo opportunities available with the sheriff’s deputies and their vehicles. Come and meet our community heroes!
KATHLEEN MCILWAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY OF GAUTIER
For more information contact:
Melinda “Ann” Rushing, Branch Manager – 228-497-4531
Crime Will Tell- Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP)
GAUTIER, MS __ Join the “Crime Will Tell” true crime club at the Gautier Public Library on Thursday, March 14 at 5pm to discuss the 21st episode on Gypsy Rose Blanchard and Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP). The club will use a variety of resources to focus on a well-known true crime case or criminal. This program is intended for adults 18 years and older. You can find a copy of the resource list on the Gautier Public Library Facebook page, in the library, scan the QR Code, or request it via email. Don’t miss out! The club meets every second Thursday of the month.
Mother Goose Baby Playdate & Storytime
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us at the Gautier Public Library for a fun and interactive Baby Playdate & Storytime with Mother Goose on Tuesday, March 19th at 10:30 a.m. This program is perfect for babies and toddlers who want to explore new toys, learn songs, and make new friends. During circle time on our crawl carpet, children will have the opportunity to practice hand-eye coordination, language, social play, and motor skills. Older siblings are also welcome to participate. Please note that the program is held every 3rd Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. and space is limited, so be sure to register by calling or visiting the library.
Teen Advisory Group
GAUTIER, MS __ Join the Gautier Public Library’s Teen Advisory Group on Saturday, March 23rd, every fourth Saturday at 1:00 pm! Students in grades 6 through 12 are welcome to attend these monthly meetings. You’ll enjoy food, and fun, and receive volunteer hours. Come and be a part of the GPL Teen Advisory Group!
Page Turners Book Club
GAUTIER, MS __ Join the Gautier Public Library’s Page Turners Book Club, Monday, March 25th which meets virtually on the 4th Monday of each month. You can find more information about the club by visiting @1pm on Facebook. To join the book club, simply scan the QR code provided and participate through live chat, live video, or by watching and commenting on your own time. Please note that this program is intended for adults. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to discuss our book of the month with fellow book lovers!
Monthly Meeting of the Friends of the Library with Founding Father’s Bakery
GAUTIER, MS __ Join us for the monthly meeting of the Friends of the Gautier Public Library. The meeting will take place at Founding Fathers Brunch Bakery on Tuesday, March 26 at 9 am. We will discuss fundraising, marketing the library, and receive feedback and suggestions on programs and events. Membership to Friends of the Library is open to everyone and costs just $5 for an individual or $10 for a family. Join us to support the library and help make it a better place!
LUCEDALE-GEORGE COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY
For more information contact:
Cynthia Morgan, Branch Manager (601) 947-2123
Free BINGO at the Lucedale-George County Public Library
LUCEDALE, MS __ Join us for a fun-filled session of BINGO at the Lucedale-George County Public Library, which is open to all ages. It takes place every 2nd Tuesday of the month from 2 pm to 3:30 pm. The best part is that it’s completely free to play, and you can win exciting prizes too! Registration is required as seating is limited. Please call the library at 601-947-2123 to sign up and get more information. The Friends of the Library will provide refreshments, so come along with your friends and enjoy a great time at the library. Don’t miss out on this fantastic opportunity to have fun, socialize, and win prizes.
Let’s Get Planting! Seed Swap
LUCEDALE, MS __ Come on down to the Lucedale-George County Public Library on Thursday, March 14th, at 4:00 p.m. for an exciting program on seed swapping with other patrons. It’s that time of year again, and we’re ready to start planting! Bring your extra seeds and help the library build a seed library for everyone to enjoy. Whether you have flower seeds, vegetable seeds, or any other kind of seeds, they are all welcome. If you’re interested and you need more information, please call (601) 947-2123.
Shamrock Sensory
LUCEDALE, MS __ Join the Lucedale-George County Public Library for the Shamrock Sensory event on March 18th at 4 PM. Everyone is welcome to come and make their lucky leprechaun playdough! The event is geared towards children between the ages of 5 to 11, but all are welcome. Supplies and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Lucedale Public Library. To reserve your place, please call 601-947-212.
Marvel Madness Trivia
LUCEDALE, MS __ Join the Lucedale-George County Public Library for a Marvel Madness Trivia night on March 21st at 4 pm. This is an opportunity for 12-17-year-old recruits to showcase their skills for a position on the Avengers team! The Friends of the Lucedale George County Library will provide refreshments. If you need more information, please contact the library at (601) 947-2123.
Annual Easter Egg Hunt
LUCEDALE, MS __ Join us for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Lucedale-George County Public Library on Saturday, March 23 at 10 am. The event will include Easter festivities such as story time in the meeting room, snacks, and an Easter egg hunt in Lucedale City Park! Don’t forget to bring your cameras! Over 2,000 eggs will be hidden, and the Easter Bunny will be there too! We are excited to announce that C-Spire is partnering with us and providing volunteers to help hide the eggs. We would like to give a big shout-out to C-Spire for their support! The event is open to children aged 12 and under.
The Power of Perception
LUCEDALE, MS __ Join us at the Lucedale-George County Public Library on Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. for a talk by Dwanda Schwarz on “The Power of Perception.” In this session, Dwanda will highlight how our perceptions can act as obstacles to our happiness, our ability to enjoy life, and even our relationships. She will also provide practical tips on how to challenge these limiting perceptions and cultivate a more positive outlook on life. This program is designed for individuals aged 18 and over.
INA THOMPSON MOSS POINT PUBLIC LIBRARY
For more information contact:
Liz Murphy, branch manager – 228-588-6263
MP Octopus Themed Storytime
MOSS POINT, MS __ InaThompson Moss Point Library will host an Octopus Themed Storytime on March 5th at 10 AM.
Murder Mystery Madness: Everyone’s A Suspect
MOSS POINT, MS __ InaThompson Moss Point Library presents a murder mystery event. Join us on March 9th, 2024, at 1 PM and test your detective skills. RSVP by calling (228) 475-7462.
Bird Themed Story Time
MOSS POINT, MS __ InaThompson Library is hosting a bird-themed story time on March 12th, 2024, at 10:00 am.
Teen Paper Flower Workshop
MOSS POINT, MS __ Join us at the Moss Point Library for a Flower Workshop specifically for teens. You’ll learn how to make 3-D flowers from paper on March 27th from 3:30-5:00 pm. We provide all the necessary supplies for this free event. See you there!
OCEAN SPRINGS MUNICIPAL LIBRARY
For more information contact:
Jim Thompson, Branch Manager (228) 857-1193
Calling All LEGO Builders
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ Ocean Springs Municipal Library is hosting a LEGO CLUB event and inviting all builders to join in on the fun. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 4th, and April 1st, as well as Tuesday, May 7th, from 3:30 PM to 5:00 PM. We have plenty of Legos for everyone to use, so bring your imagination and creativity! Please note that children under 10 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Prom 101
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ Ocean Springs Municipal Library and Mississippi State University Extension are hosting an event for high school students. The event is called “Prom 101” and will take place on March 9th and 16th from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. On March 9th, participants will learn about basic table etiquette and making positive decisions for prom night. On March 16th, participants will learn about proper hygiene and receive facials. To register for the event, you can call or visit the library circulation desk. This event is open to high school students only.
Pie Day Competition
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ The Ocean Springs Municipal Library is hosting a Pie Day Competition on Thursday, March 14th from 11:00AM to 12:00PM. If you think you have the tastiest pie, bring your homemade pie, and compete for bragging rights! The best part is that all patrons get a chance to sample all the submissions while they last. To register for the competition, please visit the library’s circulation desk or call 228-875-1193 for more information.
“Welty,” a Traveling Exhibit of Photographs by Eudora Welty
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ The Ocean Springs Municipal Library is excited to announce the opening of the “Welty” exhibit on Friday, March 15th at 5:00 pm. The exhibit features a collection of photographs taken by Eudora Welty during her time with the Works Progress Administration, each of which relates to excerpts of Welty’s literary works. The exhibit is presented by Mississippi Humanities and the Mississippi Department of Archives & History (MDAH).
The opening event will feature a presentation on Welty by Richelle Putnam, the author of “The Inspiring Life of Eudora Welty.” Food and refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Ocean Springs Municipal Library. We hope to see you there!
Astronomy Meet Up with Astro Photographer Jon Talbot
OCEAN SPRINGS, MS __ Join Astro photographer Jon Talbot for an evening of astronomy and information sharing at the Ocean Springs Municipal Library on Saturday, March 16th from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. Amateur or professional, with or without a telescope, everyone with an interest in learning and participating is welcome. The participants will gather in the library meeting room between 6:00 and 6:30 pm, and then proceed to the adjacent parking lot for stargazing until 8:00 pm. Don’t miss this chance to explore the mysteries of the universe with like-minded individuals!
PASCAGOULA PUBLIC LIBRARY
For more information contact:
George Broadus, interim branch manager (228) 769-3060
Tuesday Teatime
PASCAGOULA, MS __ The Pascagoula Public Library cordially invites you to join us every Tuesday for a delightful teatime. We offer two different teas each week for you to try and discuss. Additionally, patrons are welcome to select a tea from our tea library and enjoy it at their leisure. We encourage you to bring your favorite teacup or mug to enhance your tea-drinking experience. Teatime is from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. We hope to see you there!
Storytime with Ms. Sara
PASCAGOULA, MS __ Pascagoula Public Library invites you to join us for our weekly Storytime with Ms. Sara. The event takes place every Wednesday at 10 am and is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. This is a fun and educational event for children from preschool through kindergarten. We will have music, stories, and more to keep your kids entertained and engaged. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to spend quality time with your young ones, while also fostering their love for reading and learning.
ST. MARTIN PUBLIC LIBRARY
Crochet for Youth
ST. MARTIN, MS __ St. Martin Public Library is organizing a Crochet class for Youth on Thursday, February 22nd, and March 21st at 3:30 pm. This class is intended for youth aged 8 and up who want to learn and improve their crochet skills. During this session, we will focus on teaching double-crochet techniques. To participate in this program, registration is mandatory. Please call 228-392-3250 to register for the class today.
Homeschool STEM: Pot of Gold Challenge
ST. MARTIN, MS __ The St. Martin Public Library is organizing a Homeschool STEM program on Wednesday, March 13th at 2 PM. The program is called “Pot of Gold Challenge” and is designed for children aged 5-12 years old. During the program, the children will be given materials to complete an engineering challenge to hide the pot of gold. Children under 10 years old must be accompanied by an adult. As the materials are limited, it is strongly recommended to sign up for the program by calling 228-392-3250 to reserve your spot.
Butterfly Collage
ST. MARTIN, MS __ Join us on Thursday, March 14 at 2:00 P.M. at the St. Martin Public Library for a fun butterfly craft event. We will be creating a butterfly collage using magazine pieces to celebrate National Butterfly Day. This program is intended for adults aged 18 and up. As space is limited, kindly register ahead of time by calling 228-392-3250.
Lego Club
ST. MARTIN, MS __ Join us for LEGO CLUB at St. Martin Public Library on March 26th and April 23rd at 3:30 p.m. If you love building with LEGOs, this is the program for you! The Children’s Library is the place to be, and children are encouraged to attend. However, children who are 10 years old and under must be accompanied by an adult. To register, call 228-392-3250 today!
Egg Hunt Storytime
ST. MARTIN, MS __ Join us at the St. Martin Public Library on March 28th at 10:00 A.M. for a special Storytime! The event will feature springtime stories, games, and an egg hunt. Don’t forget to bring something to collect your eggs. Please note that children under the age of 10 must be accompanied by an adult. As space is limited, kindly call 228-392-3250 to register and reserve your spot.
Youth Kitchen Lab: Super Spring Rolls
ST. MARTIN, MS __ St. Martin Public Library presents Youth Kitchen Lab: Super Spring Rolls on Thursday, March 28th at 4:30 p.m. This program is open to youths aged 12 and up who are interested in learning about food science in our kitchen lab. We will also be making super spring rolls during the session. As space is limited, we kindly request you to call us at 228-392-3250 to register today.
VANCLEAVE PUBLILC LIBRARY
For more information contact:
Lauria Barton, Branch manager – 228-826-5857
Vancleave Library Storytime
VANCLEAVE, MS __ Vancleave Public Library invites you to join for Story Time on Thursdays at 10:00 AM. Bring your little ones to enjoy reading, crafts, games, and lots of fun!
Elderly Abuse Awareness Workshop
VANCLEAVE, MS __ The Vancleave Public Library is hosting an informative workshop on Elderly Abuse Awareness on March 1st at 11 am. The workshop will be led by Jessica Henry, who is an outreach educator for the Center for Nonviolence. For more information, please call the library at 228-826-5857. Jessica Henry, MPH, is a community outreach educator at the Gulf Coast Center for Nonviolence, Inc.
Easter Eggs: Dyed Naturally
VANCLEAVE, MS __ Vancleave Public Library is hosting an event on Wednesday, March 6th for homeschoolers to learn how to dye Easter eggs using natural ingredients that can be found in your kitchen. The eggs will be dyed using natural dyes and not artificial ones. Supplies are limited, so you need to sign up at the front desk or call 228-826-5857 to register.
National Pi Day
VANCLEAVE, MS __ Join us for a Pi party in honor of National Pi Day at the Vancleave Public Library on Thursday, March 14th. We will have free food and fun activities, including a pi-tasting event. To top it off, one of our librarians will take a pie to the face! For more information, please call 228-826-5857.
Pie Your Favorite Librarian
VANCLEAVE, MS __ The Vancleave Public Library is organizing a Pi-Day celebration on Thursday, March 14th, 2024, at 2:00 pm. You are invited to come into the library any time before the 14th of March to cast your vote for your favorite librarian by donating dollars. All proceeds from this event will go to support the Vancleave Friends of the Library. On March 14th, we will begin the celebration of Pi-Day by sampling many favorite circular foods, not just sweet pies. Donations of $1 will enter you into a drawing to be the lucky one to pie your favorite librarian. Refreshments and Door Prizes will be provided by the Vancleave Friends of the Library. For more information, please call the library at 228-826-5857.
