Jackson-Madison County Library
433 East Lafayette St.
Jackson, TN 38301
731-425-8600
Reference
The
reference department located on the main floor of the library provides the central reference collection for detailed information searches.
The library reference staff is available to assist the public in locating and using
specialized materials for research and ready-reference needs. The reference staff
uses traditional print sources and newer electronic sources, such as databases and the
Internet, to meet patrons' information needs. Reference service is
available for questions which do not require in-depth research by either
telephone (731-425-8600) or via e-mail.
Homework and contest queries require a visit to the library, rather than being
handled by phone.
The reference collection includes general and specialized encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, political and economic guides, statistical information, auto repair manuals, consumer information, Tennessee Code Annotated, readers advisory materials, literary criticism, and a variety of biographical sources. Guides to colleges, financial aid, careers and vocations, and job-seeking are available.
Computer workstations allow patrons doing research to access electronic information resources including subject-searchable magazine databases, specialized business and health information databases, the Internet, World Book, Social Issues Researcher, academic and professional practice tests, and telephone directories throughout the United States.
Small business and money management information is available to businesses and the general public through resources which include: Standard & Poor's materials, Value Line, Morningstar, and Best's insurance reports and ratings, Small Business Sourcebook, and a variety of specialized directories, periodicals, and electronic sources.
Reference sources available to grant-seekers include how-to books on proposal planning and writing and directories listing foundations and governmental funding sources, e.g., Annual Register of Grant Support, Guide to Federal Funding for Governments & Nonprofits.
Members of our competent reference staff are available during library hours for research assistance. Patrons are welcome to come in, call (731)425-8600, or even e-mail research queries.
Programming for children, and preschool children in
particular, is a major service emphasis. Links for
websites of interest to children, teens, parents and teachers are available on the
library's Children and Teens Page. Check it out!
This special collection is devoted to research in genealogy and local history. In addition to over 5,000 books, there are microfilm rolls containing Madison County records, Tennessee census (1810-1920), Jackson, TN newspapers (1823-1935), Tennessee death indexes (1908-1940) and other Tennessee state originated collections.
The following items are also available: maps, atlases and gazetteers; Jackson city directories, funeral records, vertical files, photographs.
The Tennessee Room has "The Jackson Sun" from 1936 on microfilm and a partial index from 1981. Obituaries have been indexed since August 2002. Electronic and print indexes provide subject access to The Jackson Sun, the local daily newspaper . Microform reader/printers are available.
Two full-time staff members are present to help patrons use the collection and answer questions. Visitors are asked to sign the guest register on entry. Minors are required to be accompanied by a parent.
Search requests by mail are answered; however, they must be very specific due to limited staff and time. A review of our correspondence guidelines may be helpful. Examples of good requests and bad requests suggest specific "do's and "do not's" .
Online Catalog
Jackson-Madison
County Library's computerized catalog system makes it possible to check
availability of library material . The library's system also allows a
patron to access his/her personal library account, renew books or place a "hold
request" online. Personalized
instruction in its use is always available. Please feel free to ask for help from a
librarian at any time. Access to the on-line
catalog is available at the library or through the library's web site from
any computer with Internet access.
Reader's Advisory
Library staff members are available to
assist patrons in locating books of interest to them. The library has numerous books
in the circulating and reference collections which are helpful in choosing "what to
read next."
What Do I Read Next? is available on library computers. It is searchable by title, author, subject, full text, time period, geographic location, character and reading level to help readers find new books they would enjoy. It includes expert recommendations on classic, mainstream or genre fiction and nonfiction titles covering a wide range of subjects for all age levels. Instructions for remote access are available at the library.
Reserve Books
Reserves can be placed on an item that is
currently out on loan so that it will be held for you when it is returned. Request
forms are available at the circulation desk. Through the online catalog you
now have the option of placing a "hold request" from your
home computer. You must have a valid Jackson-Madison
County Library card and be in good standing. When the book is available, you will be
notified by phone or card and the book will be held for 3 days.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary loan (ILL) is a way for
our patrons to borrow books or get copies of periodical articles which our library does
not have. You must have a valid Jackson-Madison County Library card and be
in good standing. Request forms are available at the circulation desk. After a request
has been made, it may take 2 to 6 weeks for a response. Materials which we cannot
obtain through ILL include reference materials, books published within the last six
months, bestsellers, complete issues of periodicals, or any audio-visual materials.
Join the FAB Club and be delighted as new books written by your favorite authors are reserved automatically just for you. To sign up, inquire at the circulation desk. This service is provided by the Circulation Department.
If you are a member of the Favorite Author Book Club, please do not request books online or through a request form for authors you selected on your FAB form. Your name is already on the list to receive the book(s).
Periodicals and Newspapers
Current issues of magazines on a variety of
subjects are available for browsing in the circulation department of the library.
Special interest magazine topics include business, personal finance, photography, cooking,
travel, health, history, science and current events. A number of children's
magazines may be found in the children's department. Back issues of many titles are
available in the reference department electronic format.
If you are looking for articles on a certain topic, there are computer indexes
to help you with your search.
Newspapers from Jackson and some larger cities are received daily at the library. Older issues of the Jackson Sun from 1936 are available on microfilm in the Tennessee Room. The library maintains a partial index of the Sun from 1981. Other newspaper titles are kept for two weeks only.
Internet
The library has 25 computer
terminals dedicated to the Internet available for public use. Internet
users should check out a computer by entering their library card number and pin
number at an available computer. Coin-op printing is available.
Printing cost is $0.15 per page. Color copies are $0.30 per page. Internet access is
available during all library hours, up to 15 minutes before closing. Filters are
in place on the computers. A maximum of two sessions of up to 60 minutes each
are allowed per day. You may reserve a computer up to seven days in advance at
the self-checkout station near the circulation desk, but
may only have one reservation active at any given time.
Please review both the
Internet Use Policy and the
Computer Etiquette Guidelines.
Library North has 5 computers dedicated to the Internet available for public use. Two computers dedicated to children's games are available in the children's area.
Word Processing
Word
processing is available on all of the 25 computers in the computer lab. Patrons should check
out a computer at the self-checkout station near the circulation desk .
Files may be saved to floppy disk or flash drive. Disks are available
for sale at the circulation desk at a cost of $1.00. Printing is $0.15 per page. Patrons must abide by library guidelines for use of
the word processing service. Library staff can provide only basic help.
Excel
Excel is available on all of the 25
computers in the computer lab for those needing to use a spreadsheet program. Patrons
should check out a computer at the self-checkout station near the circulation desk.
Files may be saved to floppy disk or flash drive. Disks are available
for sale at the circulation desk at a cost of $1.00. Printing is $0.15 per
page. Patrons must abide by library
guidelines. Library staff can provide only basic help.
Powerpoint
Powerpoint is available on all of the 25 computers in the computer
lab for those needing to prepare presentations. Patrons should check out a
computer at the self-checkout station near the circulation desk.
Files may be saved to floppy disk or flash drive . Disks are available for sale at the circulation
desk at a cost of $1.00. Printing is $0.15 per page. Patrons must abide by library guidelines. Library
staff can provide only basic help.
Photocopier and Fax
The library has three self-serve
photocopiers available for use. The copiers produce single or double-sided
black-and-white copies that may be enlarged or reduced. The charge for copies is
$0.15 per page for letter and legal size copies and $o.25 per page for 11X17
copies. The copiers at the main library are located on the main floor and in the Tennessee Room on the second floor.
A copier is also available at Library North.
Patrons may write or call the Reference Department for photocopies of specific articles from The Jackson Sun. Minimum search/copy fee is $3.00 per search item. The fee covers up to 4 pages. Additional pages are $ .25 each. For copies of Tennessee Room materials see correspondence guidelines .
You may send documents by FAX using the library's machine for a charge of $1.00 per page. The charge for receiving a fax is 50 cents per page. Inquire at the circulation desk to make use of this service.
Audio-Visual Equipment
The library has a slide projector, filmstrip
projector, 16 mm projector, overhead projector and screen available for use at no charge
by nonprofit groups only. This equipment may be checked out by an adult with valid
library card. Check-out period is 24 hours. Arrangements for use should be
made with the A-V librarian at least one week in advance.
Audio-visual materials available for loan include videos, DVDs, music recordings in various formats, and Books on Tape.
Special Needs
The library is handicapped-accessible with a
ramp leading from the College Street parking lot. An elevator is available to reach
the fiction and audio-visual section and the Tennessee Room.
Available for checkout are a sizable collection of Large Print books and a growing collection of Books on Tape. We also subscribe to The New York Times Large Type Weekly.
Qualified borrowers may obtain other materials on loan by mail at no cost by contacting the Tennessee Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped in Nashville, 1-800-342-3308.
Meeting Rooms
A new and larger
meeting room (Library Program Center) constructed in 2003 will accommodate up to
130 people. The remodeled Anne Thurmond Board Room is available for
smaller groups and for the boards associated with the library. Library policies
govern the uses of these rooms. They are available during normal operating hours for public gatherings of
a civic, cultural or educational character. No fees for admission may be charged for
attendance of a meeting. The library has priority for use of the meeting room.
Groups wishing to use the meeting room must comply with library policy for its use. Copies of the use policy are available upon request. Advance reservations are required and may be made by calling the library at 731-425-8600.
Tours
Full or partial tours of the
library may be scheduled for classes or groups. Arrangements should be made in
advance at least one week prior to desired date.
Memorials and Gifts
Memorial contributions to the library
may be made at any time, in any amount, and many excellent books have been added to the
collection through such tributes. The donor may even want to specify a particular
subject area or interest to be selected. For such remembrances, a card is sent to
the family advising of the memorial gift. A memorial bookplate with the name of the
person being honored and the name of the donor is placed inside each memorial book.
To honor a person, a contribution to the library may be made at any time, in any amount. Gift books can be used to honor someone's birthday, anniversary, graduation, etc. A bookplate with the name of the person being honored and the name of the donor is placed inside each gift book.
Checks may be mailed directly to the Jackson-Madison County Library giving the name of the memorial or gift. You may contact the library at 731-425-8600 for more information.
Tax Information
From January through April 15, Federal tax
forms are available at the library.
Library staff cannot provide tax assistance. Staff members will assist in
downloading forms from the IRS website, if needed.
| The library is interested in providing the public with as many
attractive educational and cultural exhibits as possible. The display area and cases
may be used for civic displays. Library books on subjects relating to the display
are incorporated into it. Use of the display space must be approved by the library
director and follow policy guidelines, which are available upon request. Groups or
individuals wishing to use the space should contact the library for further information or
reservations. The displays, which change monthly, are posted on the library Calendar of Events. The library has a limited amount of space available for the posting of notices or placement of materials for distribution to the public. Such material should meet library guidelines and be approved in advance by the library director. Inquiries should be directed to the library business office. |
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Programs on a variety of subjects are scheduled at the library. These are free of charge, open to the public, and are listed in the monthly Calendar of Events. Photos provide an example of featured speakers and performers. The Friends of the Library host a noontime book review each month. The Spring Fling Program/Plant Swap is held annually. Past programs and events have included visits from notable authors, book signings, storytelling, poetry readings, musical performances, talent showcases, writers' workshops, public radio broadcasts from the library. The library also hosts public service programs such as the 55 Alive Drivers' Course.
Digital Books
R.E.A.D.S., Regional Ebook and
Audiobook Download System, is a free service from your library and the
Tennessee Regional Library System. As a result of having a Jackson-Madison
County Library card, it allows you to install free software,
then download free digital audio books and eBooks to your computer. Enjoy
digital books on PCs, laptops, and PDAs. Burn some audio books to CD and
listen in your car.
Downloadable Audiobooks from NetLibrary and Recorded Books are also available. A visit to the library is required in order to set up an individual account. After the account is set up, it can be accessed from any computer with Internet access.
The library has wireless Internet connectivity for patrons who use their laptop computers within the library. Staff can assist with details on connecting to the Web through this feature.
