The Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library has been awarded Star Library Status for the third year in a row.

The Mississippi Library Commission recently named 12 public library systems as Star Libraries based on their statistics for Fiscal Year 2019. Systems are separated into four categories by reported expenditures and MLC compares per capita rates in four areas:

• Mississippi Measures — a combination of interlibrary loan use, statewide database use, number of registered users and items withdrawn from circulation.
• Circulation.
• Total program attendance.
• Public internet terminal usage.

The three highest-scoring libraries in each category are named Star Libraries.

Lincoln-Lawrence-Franklin Regional Library was awarded in the $600,000 to $999,999 category.

Winning libraries received a certificate and a digital Star Library badge to display on their websites.

Lincoln County Librarian Kasie Brown said it’s a honor to have been chosen for a third time and the library will continue to do all it can to promote literacy and help the public.

“People can come inside and check out materials or borrow them through our website,” Brown said. “Our computers are open for two-hour blocks and free wireless is available for anyone to use after library hours, or if they just feel more comfortable staying in their cars instead of coming inside.”

Though visiting the library has changed like most things during the pandemic, Brown hopes everything the library has to offer will help people where they need it, until the day comes when restrictions can be loosened and practices can return to pre-COVID levels.

“We miss seeing everyone, especially the children,” Brown said. “We’re looking forward to things getting back to ‘normal.’”