The Jackson-Hinds Library System is investing in its future through the creation of a new endowment fund at the Community Foundation for Mississippi. Designed to support select maintenance and upkeep of library buildings, the fund will provide a reliable source of income each year—ensuring the system can respond more quickly to facility needs while building long-term sustainability.
In Mississippi, libraries cannot own property, which means the buildings they occupy are typically owned by the city or county. “The facility you visit is likely owned by the city or county,” explained Jeanne Williams, executive director of the Jackson-Hinds Library System. “The library is dependent on your city or county to maintain that building, to do major projects and capital improvements.”
While libraries can handle some maintenance tasks, major repairs must be carried out by the city or county. “If there is a major repair that needs to be done, the process usually starts with contacting the city or county to let them know what is going on,” she said. “They would send someone out to assess it. It may then need to go before the City Council or Board of Supervisors. Once they allocate funds, it will likely go through a public bidding process. The process can be quite lengthy.”
Each year, the Library System will be able to access 4.5% of the fund’s balance. That may sound small, but it creates a steady stream of funding that adds up over time—while still allowing the fund to grow. “There’s often confusion about why we can’t just use large sums of money—like a $1.5 million endowment—to fix an emergency HVAC issue,” said Executive Director Jeanne Williams. “But the goal of an endowment is long-term support—not a one-time fix.”
The Jackson City Council approved funding for the endowment and stems from the city’s settlement with Zurich American Insurance Company for damage incurred during a 2013 hailstorm.
Williams, who is just over a month into her new role, says the fund will help the system address smaller but essential needs that improve the usability and appearance of library buildings—things that can make a big difference in how people experience their local library. “Buildings don’t grow exponentially,” she explained. “You have to constantly be rearranging and moving things around to make it work. Even relaying things out differently can make a space more welcoming and functional.”
One priority already on her radar? Signage. “Getting our signs refurbished is high on my list,” she said. “Some of the Jackson-Hinds Library signs are so faded, people don’t even know the libraries are there. And if they do see them, they think it’s one of the ones that closed. We have to raise our visibility to get people in the door.”
For additional needs—like furniture or AV upgrades that make spaces more comfortable and community-ready—Williams says the Jackson Friends of the Library plays a critical role. The Friends organization also holds both a fund and endowment at the Community Foundation (Jackson Friends of the Library General Fund and Jackson Friends of the Library Endowment Fund), providing flexible support for programs, equipment and enhancements that fall outside the scope of basic building maintenance.
Together, these resources are helping the Jackson-Hinds Library System create welcoming, functional, and visible spaces—places where people can learn, gather, and thrive for generations to come.