The Natchez Democrat

CROSBY &045;&045; Though it’s small and open only four afternoons each week, the Crosby Public Library has proven even the tiniest villages can enjoy quality access to information and reading materials.

&uot;If we don’t have it, we can get it,&uot; librarian Yvonne Perry said.

Perry has managed the Crosby library since 1972 and has watched it benefit from technology in recent years.

The library now offers three computer terminals for Internet access and shares the entire card catalog of the Pike-Amite-Walthall Library System online.

&uot;We’re in the process now of bar-coding our books so you can check them out with a card,&uot; Perry said.

The automated customer service will allow patrons to maintain their accounts by accessing information on return dates and delinquent fees, PAWLS Director Toni James said.

&uot;We just recently got our automated system. Our libraries in Liberty and Gloster are using it, and Crosby should have theirs completed by this spring,&uot; James said.

The Crosby library is one of nine PAWLS operates in a three-county area. The Town of Crosby owns the library building and pays its utilities and upkeep.

James said Crosby’s 360 residents have the same needs as library patrons in larger communities.

&uot;You find that patrons like the same services in rural areas as they do in larger communities,&uot; James said.

&uot;Obviously, we can’t buy every single thing for every library, but we share throughout our system.&uot;

Perry said her interest in books and children prompted her to become the librarian at Crosby.

&uot;I’ve always liked to read. It’s mostly kids and their homework, and I like doing that. And the people here are extremely nice,&uot; Perry said.

Located at the corner of Mississippi 33 and Airport Road, the Crosby Public Library is open from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.