In the state of Mississippi, public library systems are established, maintained, and governed according to provisions of the Mississippi Code of 1972. Title 39, Chapter 3 defines a public library as one that provides customary library services free of charge to all the residents of a county, city, or region and that is supported in whole or in part by public funds.

The content in this section of the Directors Guide of Mississippi Public Library Systems applies to the fifty public library systems recognized a legal entities eligible for receiving state aid in the form of the Personnel Incentive Grant Program from the Mississippi Library Commission. Two independent municipal public libraries located in Long Beach and Water Valley are structured, governed, and administrated in a different manner than described here.

Topics

• Mississippi Library Law {hyperlink to each section from the subtitle}: Introduction to the legal establishment and operation of public libraries in Mississippi.
• Administrative Board of Trustees: Outlines the roles and responsibilities of the Administrative Board of Trustees in the operation of the library system.
• Directors: Outlines the roles and responsibilities of the public library system Director in the administration of the library system.
• Ethics: Discussion of the professional code of ethics of librarianship.