Harrison County Library System holds open house showcasing library resources, programs

BILOXI, Miss. (WXXV) — The Harrison County Library System hosted a community open house for its Biloxi libraries on Monday, inviting residents to discover everything they have to offer.

From story times and crafts for kids, to chess classes and book clubs for adults, the Harrison County Library System is proving there’s much more to the library than just books. The open house was held at Margaret S. Sherry Memorial Library to showcase the wide range of resources, activities and programs available for every age.

“We have programs, we have outreach services, we have our book mobile out today. We have talking books for seniors or anyone who has physical or visual impairments,” said Sarah Crisler-Ruskey, Director of Harrison County Library System. “It’s back to school time, so it’s always a good time for kids and families. It’s also our budget season, we kinda wanted to show people this is what your tax payer investment is giving you back, and come take advantage of it. Learn about it, and come use it.”

Representatives from libraries across Biloxi were in attendance to share the benefits of their location. One library was holding an artist trading cards craft class, with people of all ages getting involved, and that’s just one of the many fun, free events they offer.

“We really do want to create a community and engage with everybody and have them come in and see all the fun things that we are doing. We have a lot of programs for our kids. We’ve got a Pokemon Club on third Thursdays at 4:00. We have a Chess Club that is every other Monday. In a day and age where everything costs money, and we are struggling to sometimes buy just our necessities, it is important to have a place to go where you can be with other people for free,” said Janessa Ullendorf, Branch Manager of Biloxi Library on Howard Avenue.

I spoke with a few people who utilize this particular library nearly every day of the week. They say it is vital to their learning and the community as a whole.

“We’re tutored at the library,” said Logan Hough.

“I like the members of this library, and I come here to get my education — my ELA reading up in school. That way I can get A’s only,” said Dawson Hough.

“I think it’s important that everybody is exposed to what the library has. Some people just remember the library as being somewhere that you have access to books and maybe the internet and the computer, but there’s so much more than that here, and honestly, the early learning programs are so important, as well as all of the other things here for other members of the community besides the kids,” said tutor Aby Cowan.

For more information on programs and resources offered by the Harrison County Library System, visit their website here.