History
History of the Pass Christian Public Library
In 1967, there was an attempt to get county, state and federal monies to support and expand the Old Town Library, but because of its status as a private concern, these discussions lead to the realization that a Public Library Board should be appointed.
Even with the creation of a Public Library Board, discussions continued for the next few years, only to be interrupted by Camille.
Not until July 1971, with the dedication of land and the final approval of using "We Care Hurricane Funds," was the Public Library a reality. Ground breaking ceremonies at the present Hiern Street location finally took place in 1972 and a formal dedication was made the following year.
From its early beginnings, the "Friends of the Library" have been a driving force in keeping the Public Library maintain a posture for good reading and research for the school children and the citizens of the Pass. Donations of books is an on-going need.
The Pass Library was constructed from funds derived from Hurricane Camille benefactors and now is in great need of funding once more due to it's destruction by Hurricane Katrina.
The Pass Public Library, even though a central core central for citizens of the Pass to gather, has always needed support other than from municipal and government funding.
Life long resident, Sally James is a mainstay of the Library functions and has taken on the same dedication as her mother-in-law, Catherine James, who was devoted to the Old Town Library that was formed in 1893.
(Note: Mrs. Catherine James, kept the Town Library doors open to provide reading literature to citizens of "The Pass" as well as tourists and other locals all along the Coast.)
The Children’s Library
(The Pass Christian Review. October 1991)
Mrs. Sally James, children's librarian at the Pass Christian Public Library, plans her daily schedules with the "here and now" idea of the needs of children who enter the new wing of the "Pass" Library. This children's wing reflects the dreams, plans, and knowledge that Sally, the library staff and the friends of the Library had for the future of all youngsters who enter here.
It is a place to dream, to read, to listen, to study, to learn and to laugh, as well as to develop long-lasting friendships with books, characters and real people. It is a public space designed for all children's needs and interests.
Entrance to the Children's Wing begins at the northwest corner of the main library. A glass wall on the right of the entrance hall lets youngsters of all ages and sizes study the outdoor garden as they walk to and from their special place. Two rest rooms fill the wall space on the opposite side of the glass wall.
The library is large and open, filled with color. Bright primary colors decorate the floors and furniture. White bookshelves line the wall spaces and the waist-high walls around the large corner stage. This is a place designed for children from ages two to twelve.
Books are everywhere, on the tables, in the book shelves, neatly arranged and low enough for children to select, browse and read. The stage, filled with books and soft beanbag and pillow-chair seating, is a place for the picture-book crowd.
The beginning reader finds his materials here, too. Youngsters must climb three carpeted stairs to get these books. This was a plan with a purpose. The steps may be used as seating for large groups of small listeners during story time and the stage elevates the young child to be as high or higher than their siblings and adults. On this stage they are safe yet "taller" than their big brother or sister, a wonderful feeling when you are the youngest. Books are convenient for a two year-old or a six year-old on this special stage.
Mrs. James' eyes sparkle when you ask if the activities are school oriented. "We want to encourage reading and learning as well as recreational reading," she explains. "Our first concern is the needs of the individual." She is an ideal children's librarian; youngsters are first. Books, films and other materials help her meet their goals or in some cases guide chil- dren toward forming goals.
"During January and February, fourth, fifth and sixth graders are involved in school science projects. We become involved too. In fact, we have 115 science project books purchased just for these youngsters. Rather than letting a few "early-bird" students check a number of books out for two weeks, we put the total number of project books on reserve and allow the youngsters to read and copy materials for their individual science projects. This action serves students in three counties and five coastal cities, Pass Christian, Bay St. Louis, Waveland, Long Beach and Picayune," she explained.
Mrs. James leads a busy life. Three or four story hours are scheduled every week for pre-school children. Recently, forty Head Start youngsters visited the Children's Library as a school group for a special interest-building program and story hour. They were left with the desire to return to the library stage, the beanbag chairs and the wonderful picture books ... that they might read.
The summer program.
"We encourage reading as a part of the child's growth and development, not to make 'numbers of books read' a goal of their summer reading," explained Mrs. James. "It would discourage many youngsters to grow and benefit from their summer reading selections from this Children's Wing."
The summer programs for children expand their interests in many new activities and of course, indirectly, increases their reading ability. A variety of unusual activities of the past included: Washboard Leo and his Cajun Opera; a discussion with a local children's author-illustrator and a skateboard-skating demonstration held in the parking lot of the library.
One of the most interesting demonstrations that aroused reading interests all year was the presentation from the Museum of Natural Science of Jackson, Miss. Live animals were brought to the library and the man in charge let the children handle the safe, wild-life creatures, ask questions and discuss the need for protecting our natural environment.
Summer ends with the Friends of the Library sponsoring some type of party. Some times, it's a wiener roast. A party is always a great success for the children as well as for the adults concerned. The Friends are friends year-round. In fact, they were sponsors of the Children's Wing, collecting over ten thousand dollars toward the construction of this much needed facility. The Friends meet every Friday morning in the conference room for coffee and planning for future needs.
Every library should have an adequate storage room and the one in the Children's Library is a librarian's dream. The storage and work space houses all types of equipment, T.V.'s, movie projector, films, work tables, copiers, storage shelves, paints and everything to help
In 1985, the Pass Christian Public Library was a small town library! Three full time employees circulated 33,400 books and tapes per year of which less than 1/3 were children's material. The potential for growth in all areas of service and materials was enormous, especially in the children's area.
In 1986 we applied for a Library Services and Construction Act Title II construction grant to add a children's wing to the library. Although not needed at the time, I could see (in the near future) a need for more room for both juvenile and adult materials. We heard nothing until January, 1990 when county and city governments were notified that if they wished to proceed they needed to officially notify the Mississippi Library Commission. The following year and a half were hectic, but funds were raised, documents signed, and we broke ground July 8, 1991.
This building has come none too soon! Last summer of 1990, we had 1,400 children attend our programs and many more came at other times. Our juvenile circulation is now over a third of our circulation (35%). Our collection has grown by 8,000 volumes, and space is getting tight. We have 7,000 titles to move into the new wing freeing 104 shelves for the adult materials that are now packed into the shelves.
Sally James, our children's librarian, does a wonderful job. She has 3 or 4 story hours per week, and works closely with local teachers and care centers to insure that the children in this community have the opportunity to enjoy and use our materials and facilities. This does have a flip side unfortunately. Our conference/meeting room is unavailable 3 mornings a week with children coming and going. Except for programs that have more than 200 children, all our programs and story hours will now be held in the new addition. This will make the main building much quieter in the mornings for adult use, and free our meeting room to be used by more community groups.
Our after-school use by students has grown over the years. Since the wing will house materials for sixth grade down, most of our students will be in the addition. Adult patrons who come in after three, try not to do so again, because we are busy, noisy, and generally frantic. This will all change when we are in the new building, and hopefully our adults will return in the afternoons.
All of the above is Pre-Katrina H-I-S-T-O-R-Y !!!