OVERVIEW

Mississippi Library Commission 1 Revised 052411 Title 16: History, Humanities and Arts - Mississippi Library Commission Part 101: OVERVIEW Part 101 Chapter 1: Description and General Operations A. Authorization. The Mississippi Library Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Library Commission,” is established and operates in accordance with §39-3-101 to §39-3-111 of the Mississippi Code of 1972, Annotated, as amended and/or supplemented thereafter. B. Purpose. The director of the Library Commission, hereinafter referred to as the “Executive Director,” is charged with “organizing new libraries and directing library development in the State, so as to give and furnish every citizen and resident of the State free library service of the highest quality consistent with modern methods and as may be justified by financial and economic conditions.” (§39-3-105) 1. Vision - The vision of the Mississippi Library Commission is that all Mississippians have access to quality library services in order to: achieve their greatest potential, participate in a global society, and enrich their daily lives. 2. Mission - The Library Commission is committed — through leadership, advocacy, and service — to strengthening and enhancing libraries and information resources for all Mississippians. 3. Goals - The goals of the Library Commission are as follows: a. All Mississippians understand, support, and use libraries. b. All Mississippians have access to well-managed library services through qualified staff and modern facilities. c. All Mississippians have access to current technology resources through libraries. d. All Mississippians have access to quality library resources. e. The Library Commission achieves the highest quality standards for effective and efficient internal management and fiscal integrity. C. Services. State law provides that the Library Commission may provide advice to help establish and strengthen libraries; may circulate library materials; may use funds other than its own appropriation to establish or improve library services in the State; may publish information it deems necessary; may conduct library continuing education; may adopt rules Mississippi Library Commission 2 Revised 052411 and regulations relative to the allocation of State aid funds to public library systems; shall annually prepare a report on the status of all libraries in the State; and shall annually report to the Legislature on the work of the Commission, as prescribed by §39-3-107. The Library Commission may provide assistance to all schools, public and other libraries. However, because the Mississippi Department of Education and the Institutions of Higher Learning have authority over school and academic libraries and because all State grant funds are appropriated for public library services, the Library Commission focuses activities on public libraries, while engaging in cooperative activities with other types of libraries. An agency of state government, the Library Commission serves: 1. Library community - directly, through a specialized collection and services. 2. State government, including members of the Legislature, state officials, state agencies, and state employees - directly, through a specialized collection and services. 3. Mississippi residents with visual or physical impairments which prevent the reading of standard print - directly, through a specialized collection and services. 4. Intellectual property researchers - directly, through a specialized collection and resources. 5. General public - directly, through a specialized collection; and indirectly, through the state’s libraries. D. Governance. The Board of Commissioners, hereinafter referred to as “the Board", is the governing body of the Library Commission. The Board adopts policies as are deemed necessary for the operation of programs and services provided by the Library Commission as prescribed in §39-3-103. The Board elects an Executive Director, who shall have a master’s degree in library science from a school accredited by the American Library Association and experience as a library administrator. The term of office of the Executive Director is for four-year periods, unless, for good cause shown, the Board removes the Executive Director. The Executive Director is responsible for all general administrative duties incident to carrying on the work of the Library Commission.