Our History
Explore the story of how regional cooperation, community support, and a shared commitment to library service shaped the Central Mississippi Regional Library System.
A History Built on Cooperation
The roots of CMRLS extend back to 1952, when county leaders began working together to establish cooperative regional library service.
The Central Mississippi Regional Library System took its current form in 1986 and now provides library service through 20 branches in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
CMRLS Through the Years
Important milestones in the development of regional library service in Central Mississippi.
Regional Library Service Begins
The Boards of Supervisors in Hinds, Rankin, Scott, and Simpson counties established the Capital Area Regional Library System and agreed to support a cooperative library.
Systems Merge
In March 1973, the Capital Area Regional Library System merged with the Jackson Municipal Library System to form the Jackson Metropolitan Library System.
Rankin County Joins
Rankin County joined the Jackson Metropolitan Library System in October 1973.
Vicksburg-Warren County Joins
Vicksburg-Warren County became part of the regional system in January 1974.
CMRLS Is Formed
After Hinds County became a separate library system, Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties formed the Central Mississippi Regional Library System.
Headquarters Moves to Brandon
CMRLS headquarters moved from the Pearl Public Library to a building on Office Park Drive in Brandon.
Flowood Library Opens
The Flowood library joined the CMRLS family of community libraries.
Headquarters Moves to Tamberline Street
CMRLS headquarters relocated to its present location at 100 Tamberline Street in Brandon.
From Pearl to Brandon
When CMRLS was formed, system headquarters was located inside the Pearl Public Library.
Headquarters moved to Office Park Drive in Brandon in 1996 and relocated to its present Tamberline Street location in 2012.
Communities That Helped Build CMRLS
The original group of libraries included locations in the following communities:
Cash library closed.
Pineville library closed.
Flowood library opened.
D’Lo library closed.
Twenty Libraries Across Four Counties
CMRLS provides public library service through branches in Rankin, Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties.
Rankin County
9 LibrariesBrandon, Florence, Flowood, Pearl, Pelahatchie, Puckett, Reservoir, Richland, and Sandhill.
Scott County
4 LibrariesForest, Lake, Morton, and Sebastopol.
Simpson County
3 LibrariesHarrisville, Magee, and Mendenhall.
Smith County
4 LibrariesMize, Polkville, Raleigh, and Taylorsville.
Growing With Our Communities
Although the system has changed over the decades, CMRLS continues to connect people with books, technology, information, programs, and welcoming community spaces.
Directors of CMRLS
CMRLS directors have guided the system through growth, technological change, expanding services, and new opportunities for community engagement.
Janice Parrott
Director of CMRLS
Nancy Scott
Director of CMRLS
Rose Johnson
Director of CMRLS
Kaileen Thieling
Director of CMRLS
Mara Villa Polk
Director of CMRLS
How CMRLS Is Governed
Regional, local, and community groups each have distinct roles in supporting library service.
CMRLS Board of Trustees
County Boards of Supervisors appoint the CMRLS Board of Trustees. Rankin County has two representatives, while Scott, Simpson, and Smith counties each have one. Members serve five-year terms and may serve up to two consecutive terms.
Local Library Boards
Local library boards serve in an advisory capacity. Their members are appointed by local mayors and boards of aldermen. Final decision-making authority rests with the CMRLS Board of Trustees.
Friends of the Library
Friends groups raise funds and support their local library’s mission. They do not have legal authority over daily operations and must meet applicable nonprofit and statewide membership requirements.
Be Part of the Next Chapter
Visit a CMRLS library, explore our services, and discover everything your library offers.