Jackson/Hinds Library System

Eudora Welty Library, the main library (2018)

Jackson/Hinds Library System (JHLS) is the public library system of Jackson and Hinds County in Mississippi.

Branches

Jackson

• Margaret Walker Alexander Library
• R G Bolden/Anna Bell Moore Library
• Medgar Evers Library
• Fannie Lou Hamer Library
• Willie Morris Library
• Richard Wright Library - Closed in March of 2020 for repairs for plumbing repairs ^[1] and all materials were removed in July of 2021 ^[2] . It is adjacent to Key Elementary School. ^[3]

Not in Jackson

• Ella Bess Austin Library (Terry)
• Beverly J. Brown Library (Byram)
  • It is behind the Byram City Hall. ^[4]
• Lois A. Flagg Library (Edwards)
• Annie Thompson Jeffers Library (Bolton)
• Evelyn Taylor Majure Library (Utica)
• Quisenberry Library (Clinton)
  • In 2018 the Clinton city government, citing problems with the sanitary condition, closed the library. It stated that it would reopen if the library system revised the terms of the library lease. ^[5] The two entities came to an agreement and it reopened that year. ^[6]
• Raymond Public Library (Raymond)
  • It is located at the Hinds Courthouse Annex. ^[7]

Former

• Eudora Welty Library - The former main library was located in what was once a Sears building, built circa 1938. In 2018 the second story has a study area and over 50,000 books. By 2018 the building had multiple maintenance and mold problems, with stairwells that, according to The Clarion Ledger , "are too dangerous to navigate", as well as non-functional elevators, meaning that the second floor was not accessible for safety reasons. Additionally there were sewage and water leaks. ^[8] By 2024, the federal government of the United States gave a grant to aid in moving the library, worth $3,750,000 ^[9] As part of redevelopment plans, the original building was to be razed. ^[10]
• Charles Tisdale Library (Jackson) - It opened in 1976. ^[11] Its namesake was Charles Tisdale, who published a newspaper. Prior to its closure it was the third busiest library system in terms of book checkouts; in 2016 patrons checked out over 16,700 books. In 2017 it had experienced flooding and black mold and was closed by the library system. ^[12] By 2018 over 34,000 books had been destroyed in the library because loss of power and additional flooding caused the mold to intensify. ^[13] In 2019 the library system decided to move to a new site, with a tentative plan for one next to McWillie Elementary School. ^[11] The Jackson city government acquired the former building from the library system in late 2019. ^[12] By October 2020 unauthorized persons broke into the library and additional flooding had occurred, so the Jackson city government took measures to board up the building. ^[14] However, in 2021 break-ins and flooding occurred again. ^[12] That year the library system made plans for a new site. ^[15] Ashby Foote, council member of Ward 1 of Jackson, criticized the condition of the current Tisdale library. ^[16]

References

1. "LIBRARY UPDATE: Richard Wright Library Closed Until Further Notice". Jackson/Hinds Library System. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
2. "Library officials moving books out of Richard Wright branch after vandals again wreak havoc". WLBT. Retrieved July 7, 2025.
3. "Wright Library". Jackson/Hinds Library System. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
4. "Byram". Jackson/Hinds Library System. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
5. Vicory, Justin (July 13, 2018). "Clinton mayor shuts down library for sanitation issues, won't reopen until new lease agreement in place". The Clarion Ledger . Retrieved June 10, 2021.
6. "Clinton's Quisenberry Library to reopen Monday following agreement with board". The Clarion Ledger . July 27, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
7. "Raymond Public Library." Jackson Hinds Library System. Retrieved on December 29, 2018.
8. Vicory, Justin (November 29, 2018). "Jackson libraries face an existential crisis that includes black mold. When will the city help?". The Clarion Ledger . Retrieved June 10, 2021.
9. Drape, Charlie (March 18, 2024). "JHLS to receive federal grant to help the Eudora Welty Library. See what the plans are". Clarion Ledger . Retrieved August 22, 2024.
10. Sanders, Caleb (April 19, 2024). "Eudora Welty Library building in Jackson to be demolished". Supertalk Mississippi . Retrieved August 22, 2024.
11. "Charles Tisdale Library to be relocated". WJTV. April 17, 2019. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
12. "Tisdale Library again flooded, used as refuge for homeless". WLBT. February 24, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
13. "Library disaster". Northside Sun. October 25, 2018. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
14. "City crews cleaning and securing Tisdale building". WLBT. October 29, 2020. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
15. "City moving forward with selecting new site for Charles Tisdale Library". WAPT. May 24, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.
16. "Councilman upset about condition of Charles Tisdale Library". WJTV. June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 10, 2021.

External links

• Jackson/Hinds Library System

32°18′06″N90°10′46″W / 32.301698°N 90.179419°W / 32.301698; -90.179419