Hancock County Libraries

From the Hancock County Library System web site:

To all our customers, friends and supporters

Hurricane Katrina dealt all of us in Hancock County a terrible blow. Sadly, our Waveland Library (opened in 2003) and Pearlington Library (opened in 1999) are gutted. All the books, media, furnishings and equipment are gone.

We adopted the motto - - Together We Rebuild, to focuse on what needs to be done to bring our customers and friends the award-winning library and information services to which they are accustomed.

The Bay St. Louis-Hancock County Library suffered roof, building and water damage. We are currently removing the carpet and treating the building for moisture. There is no regular phone service or Internet connection via Bell South. We are working to secure satellite connections at Bay St. Louis. A Library Reference and Referral Center opens Monday, October 10 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday in the Highway 90 foyer of the Bay St. Louis-Hancock County Library. Located on the Highway 90 service road between Main and Dunbar Streets. Please share this information with friends and family in Hancock County who may need our services.

The Kiln Public Library had window and roof damage. It is open extended hours seven days a week for library and recovery assistance services. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 8am-6pm; Friday, 8am-5pm; and Saturday and Sunday, 8am-4pm. A Volunteer Reception Center (VRC) is in the meeting room to match county residents' needs with volunteers registering to provide help. A public phone bank and 11 public use laptops are connected via Sateliite compliments of Harris Communications. Residents can pick up a water well sample bottle from the Ms Depart. of Health from the library. Traditional library and information services are available.

Check our website frequently for updates and pictures.

How can you help?

The Library Foundation of Hancock County is working diligently to raise Margin of Excellence funds to assist the Hancock County Library System as Together We Rebuild.

Persons wishing to donate to help rebuild the Hancock County Library System and take its rightful place in the community should click here. Or simply mail donations to: The Library Foundation of Hancock County, 312 Highway 90, Bay St. Louis, MS 39520 (we have just begun to receive mail).

Any questions can be directed to Mary Perkins in the Public Affairs/Development Office at my cell phone: (228) 332-0054.

Thank you immensely for your thoughts, prayers gifts and offers of help.