House Resolution 8

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING BEVERLY JANET SMITH FOR HER MANY CONTRIBUTIONS AND SERVICE TO THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI AND CONGRATULATING HER UPON HER RETIREMENT FROM PUBLIC SERVICE.

WHEREAS, Beverly Janet Smith has faithfully served the citizens of Lucedale and George County for over 33 years as county librarian, and it is with appreciation that we recognize her dedication and devotion upon her retirement on January 28, 2005; and

WHEREAS, a native of Mount Olive, Mississippi, Mrs. Smith graduated in 1968 from Jones Junior College and entered the School of Library Science at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM); and

WHEREAS, while attending USM, Mrs. Smith became engaged to Richard Smith and worked at the Clarksdale Public Library as a summer intern for the Mississippi Library Commission; and

WHEREAS, after graduating from USM, Mrs. Smith worked at the Petal High School Library before becoming librarian at the George County Public Library on June 9, 1971, the first librarian at that facility to hold a university degree in library science; and

WHEREAS, after Mrs. Smith's employment at the George County Library, circulation increased from 300 to 1,500 in the first month and has continuously grown over the course of her tenure; and

WHEREAS, in 1977, Mrs. Smith entered graduate school at USM finishing the program 18 months later with a master of library science degree; and

WHEREAS, having worked to organize a local chapter of Friends of the Library, Mrs. Smith assisted in starting the first "Shakespeare in the Park" in 1991, and is credited with helping the library win a National Public Relations Award for "The Little Library That Could"; and

WHEREAS, named George County Business Woman of the Year in 1999, Mrs. Smith has had the privilege of meeting, in her professional life, Isacc Asminov, John Grisham, Morgan Freeman and Jerry Clower; and

WHEREAS, Mrs. Smith has plans, during her retirement, to spend quality time with her daughter, Brandy; granddaughters, Claire and Anna; mother, Merle; sister and friends; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence in such outstanding individuals as Mrs. Smith, whose dedication and longtime commitment to the Lucedale-George County Library and the Jackson-George Regional Library System has become a benchmark of excellence and achievement:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend Mrs. Beverly Janet Smith for her dedicated and commendable service as manager of the Lucedale-George County Library for over 33 years and extend our heartiest wishes for success in all her future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Mrs. Janet Smith, the Jackson-George Regional Library System, the Lucedale-George County Library and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.