The Mississippi Library Commission (MLC) kicked off its salute to America 250 in September at the Mississippi Book Festival. It was the beginning of a year and a half of activities lasting through December 2026 – as America celebrates 250 years of Independence, MLC commemorates 100 years of support to Mississippi, “strengthening and enhancing libraries and library services for all Mississippians.” The AM250-MS semiquincentennial and MLC centennial highlights America’s and Mississippi’s stories of 2.5 centuries.
Later in September, MLC joined Dr. Roscoe Barnes, Director of Visit Natchez to share a screener from Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB) of the newest Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution! The event took place in one of Mississippi’s oldest cities and first state capital, Natchez.
As president of the Mississippi Historical Society, Dr. Barnes assembled a group of local historians and community leaders to enjoy the preview of the brilliant 6-part, 12-hour film that will premiere on November 16, 2025. Local history instructors and history experts led a group discussion following the showing. MLC showed book lists and recommended community support for a variety of related state and national competitions for students such as the Secretary of State’s Promote the Vote, the Mississippi Poetry Project, the President’s AI Challenge, and America’s Field Trips. MLC also promoted recruitment of Mississippi military heroes for the Library of Congress Veterans History Project.
On October 9, 2025, MLC partnered with the GRAMMY Museum of Mississippi and the Mississippi Coding Academy to provide surrounding Kindergarten through 12th grade teachers with professional development aligned to the America 250-MS theme. Breakfast and Lunch were provided by the Ella Fitzgerald Foundation.
MLC provided information on several of their initiatives that support America’s 250-year story intermingled with snippets from the new Ken Burns documentary, The American Revolution. MLC Talking Books Services staff demonstrated the access and use of audio players, BARD-Braille and Audio Reading Download, and physical Braille. Each service included titles that reinforce the patriotic theme, demonstrating that all students may participate. MLC Magnolia Database staff demonstrated the broad access and application of searches available to support AM250 reading and research.
The GRAMMY Museum of MS staff led participants through a review of the impact of The Music and Influence of Ella Fitzgerald on America’s 250-year Story. The Mississippi Coding Academy collaborated by adding information about the President’s AI Challenge, Using AI to write your own story, and other technology-based opportunities available to teachers and students in Mississippi.
The afternoon breakout sessions featured more intensive dives into ways of supporting PK-5 literacy and 6th-12th grade reading and writing across the curriculum. Activities highlighted connections to the Mississippi Department of Education standards aligning the themes of America 250 to the Mississippi College- and Career-Readiness Standards.
2025 MLA Annual Conference: Guardians of Knowledge: Defending Libraries in Challenging Times
Thursday, October 16, 2025 thru Friday, October 17, 2025
Lake Terrace Convention Center, Hattiesburg, MS
