PEA RIDGE — As I write this column on the 15th, I am anxiously awaiting word from my son and daughter-in-law that I should head for St.
Louis for the birth of their first child and my fourth grandchild. There have been two false alarms this week so maybe the next call will be the real thing.
I can hardly wait to meet my third grandson. During my absence the library will be in the capable hands of Dottie Adriano. I doubt anyone will even notice that I am away.
The Library Board of Trustees met with the mayor, the city building inspector and the architect earlier in the week. I am happy to be able to say that work should begin in the next few weeks on the interior of the building.
Even though there will be much labor to get all these shelves of books moved to the new location, I can hardly wait. All that additional space will allow us to offer so much more than just books to checkout. The board has so many ideas and plans are being made to implementsome of these. More children’s activities and more public use computers are just a small part of what we hope to have available.
There will be sofas and chairs so our patrons can sit and read or visit with friends.
This week brought another large donation of books - more than 500.
Look for the announcement of another large book sale soon. There are a large number of hardback and paperback books for sale in the library. Some of which are new or nearly new and the prices are very reasonable. The selection includes children’s books as well as adult fiction and a few non-fiction.
There are also a number of magazines. Each sale helps toward the purchase of a item for the new library.
Each week we have more people coming in to get a library card and Ithought it might be helpful to explain how to obtain a library card. You do not have to be a resident of Pea Ridge to get a card. There is no charge for a card for an area resident but a small fee is charged for out of area. An applicant must be at least 18 years of age and have a photo I.D. - a driver’s license or state issued I.D. A piece of mail that has been sent to you at your current address such as a utility bill is also needed. One card is issued per family.
Library books are checked out for a period of two weeks. Late fees are 20 cents per book per day.
Until a new card holder establishes a history with us, only one book may be checked out at a time. We try to call the card holder when a book is past due.
If there is no response to the call, then a letter is sent as a reminder. Library privileges are then suspended until the books are returned and the fine paid. Failure to return a book or failure to pay for a lost or damaged book is a misdemeanor and can result ina fine of not less than $10 and not more than $100 per book. This may sound like a drastic measure but the library operates on a small book budget and books are expensive.
A gentleman stopped by the library this week to pick up a book and we ended up discussing grants, etc. The next evening he stopped by again with information he had found on line regarding grants the library/city might be able to apply for. I appreciate his efforts on our behalf. The nicest people walk through the library doors.
With this wonderful weather we have been experiencing, I know many of you are busy working in your yard or gardens. I hope you will make some time to stop by the library.
A good book will take your mind off your aching back and sore muscles!
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Editor’s note: Peggy Maddox is the librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. She can be reached at P.O. Box 9, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 03/21/2012