Library plans gala

Mississippi State's Friends of the Libraries will do its part to celebrate Homecoming with activities and exhibits featuring the newly renovated and expanded Mitchell Memorial Library.

Before and after the Nov. 2 Homecoming football game, the group will have displays throughout the facility and a brunch reception with entertainment.

Gail Peyton, chairperson of the Friends' Homecoming Planning Committee, said the group sponsors actitivities such as these to "support efforts to increase the library's collections; to encourage gifts and bequests; to create interest in our work, needs and responsibilities; and to draw attention to the importance of the libraries to the future development of the university and the community."

Kicking the day off will be a brunch reception on the fourth floor with music by Suzuki violin instructor Trudy Gildea, two of her advanced students, Candace Gustine and Whitney Austin, and musician Shirley Gustine, all of Columbus. The brunch is scheduled for 10 a.m.-noon.

James M. DelPrince, floral management program instructor, will present a display on "Victorian Floral Design: A Presentation of Historical Research on Amateur and Professional Floral Arrangement." The display will be featured in the second-floor library main entrance and will be in place Oct. 21-Nov. 2.

Bessie D. Johnson, continuing education instructor and retired home economist, will demonstrate her pine needle basket weaving techniques and have several examples of her work on display on the fourth floor.

Lucy A. Rhoades of Starkville, a 1980 Mississippi State graduate, is the featured artist in the Very Special Arts Mississippi exhibit on the third floor. Rhoades' work consists of several paintings in the series she has done on her alma mater, including one of the Chapel of Memories. Other art work from VSA will be displayed, as well.

"In addition to these exhibits, we will have displays of related books and materials and offer library tours from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.," Peyton said. "We also will have a table set up on the first floor to join Friends of the Libraries."

For more information, contact Peyton at 325-7671.