March 18, 2026 

 

To All Mississippi County and Regional Residents: 

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When I accepted the position of Director of the Mississippi County Library System (MCLS) over eight years ago, I had communicated to the System’s Board of Directors that the main thrust of my management would be to drive the public libraries of the County to become community living rooms, dens, and/or workshops. Libraries across the nation continue to evolve in this direction regarding facility and program development. 

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In recent years the MCLS has been able to maintain and, in some cases, improve its facilities. We have been able to grow participation in the annual summer reading program, and we have offered an increasing number of programs to people of all ages, ethnicities, and many different interests. We have also been able to offer an increasing number of digital audiobooks and ebooks while updating the children's and young people’s non-fiction print book collections. 

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Even so, funding, staffing, and community energy are only in limited supply. This is why strategic planning with the community is important and necessary. 

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The citizens of Mississippi County have honored me by depending fully on my leadership which has included the definition and prioritization of projects, programs, and initiatives. I am perpetually amazed and humbled by this entrustment. Nevertheless, our citizens (customers) – ultimately county sales taxpayers – are the folks who own the MCLS.  

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These are your libraries. I need to be sure that the MCLS is in touch with the priorities, values, and desires you have. From one major angle, I need to make sure that the MCLS is staying relevant. 

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Over the course of the next year my primary goal will be to create a strategic plan for the MCLS. I will be working with the System’s team of branch managers and certain specialist employees to hear from our community in different ways. We hope to interact with library users and non-users, community leaders, civic organizations, educational entities, industry leaders, etc. We aim to find out what you want us to push toward in the future -- what you think we should continue to do, what you think we should start to do, and what you think we should stop doing. 

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I ask that you participate in the focus groups, surveys, and discussions as they intersect with you all in the months ahead. After the team gets your feedback, we will draft our plans to take to the MCLS Board for consideration and adoption.  

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Please watch for and participate in the opportunities ahead with creative and constructive thought. The team and I look forward to constructing a relevant direction and helpful goals in the months ahead. 

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Hoping to see you along the way, 

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Lowell Walters, Director 

Mississippi County Library System