It’s not your Daddy’s library anymore — or your Mama’s either!

Your library offers so much more than your Daddy or Mama could even imagine in their library. And are we ever high tech.

Computers

You know of course that your library has lots of computers for you to use for free. Plus, you and your visitors can bring a laptop to your library and get free WiFi access to the Internet. But do you know about all the free programs available through your library? Most of these programs are not available anywhere else in the area.

Ancestry and heritage quest

The Genealogy Department has two online sites, Ancestry Library Edition and Heritage Quest. Learn details about your ancestor’s lives and build your family tree with the help of two of the largest collections of family history records on the Web. Heritage Quest allows patrons with valid library cards to access the site remotely with their library card number. Ancestry Library Edition can only be used on the library’s public computers.

MAGNOLIA

Mississippi Alliance for Gaining New Opportunities through Library Information Access provides a wealth of online databases, which are provided by the Mississippi Legislature for public use through libraries, schools, colleges and universities. Patrons can access magazine, newspaper, and journal articles, as well as business profiles, biographies, literary criticism, and much more. Some of the MAGNOLIA databases provide remote access so patrons can use this service online with a password provided by the library staff.

Mississippi Subject Area Tests

Parents and students can access practice tests for yearly subject testing by using the online access through the Mississippi Department of Education web site. You can also make copies from the books provided by the Children’s Librarian or the Reference Librarian. Test pages and answer keys give parents the tools to help their children succeed in school and pass the required state tests.

Learn a test

Students of almost any age will find Learning Express Library a useful tool when preparing for major tests such as ACT, SAT, Civil Service, GED, PRAXIS, GMAT, GRE and many more. Remote access is available with a username provided by the library. This site has the capability to check, correct and save your test. Practice exams are available, as well as study guides for reading comprehension, language, and math skills.

World Book

The World Book Online Reference Center includes over 25,000 encyclopedia articles, 10,000 photographs and maps, 9,000 audio clips and over 100 videos to help students with their homework assignments. Adults also find it invaluable for finding answers to difficult questions. World Book Kids, a special section of this site, includes dozens of hands-on learning activities correlated to classroom curriculum. Thousands of colorful illustrations, diagrams and maps are available as well. Everything parents and teachers need to stimulate their students and children — or adults need to stimulate their minds.

Interlibrary loan

Having a difficult time finding a book or journal article? Due to an online system provided through the Mississippi Library Commission, your library can borrow books and request copies of periodical articles from other Mississippi public and academic libraries. You pay only a small mailing fee of $2, which covers postage and handling.

Chilton Auto Manuals online

The Chilton Auto Manual books were so popular that your library decided to make them available to you online, very soon. The online edition will be up to date and much more extensive. You’ll be able to get the detailed information you need to tackle vehicle maintenance and repairs directly from a computer. Some of the more popular features include maintenance and specification tables and step by step service and repair procedures. Plus, everything is supported by close-up graphics. You will be able to access this site from home, but you will need a valid library card.

Don’t know how to use a computer?

No problem. Your library offers free courses. Call for details.

Library information

The Natchez Adams Wilkinson Library Service consists of three branches: Armstrong Library in Natchez (the headquarters of the library system), Van Cleave Library in Centreville, and Woodville Public Library in Woodville. The Armstrong Library is located at 220 South Commerce in Natchez, and is open Monday through Thursday from 9-6, Friday from 9-5, and Saturday from 9-1. You can call us at 601-445-8862, e-mail us at armstrong@naw.lib.ms.us or visit us online www.naw.lib.ms.us.