On Tuesday evening, June 4, the library celebrated the move to our new home with an open house from 4 to 7 p.m. For the first couple of hours, we had a very full house.
People walked around admiring the new building, had refreshments, visited with friends and some even won door prizes!
It seemed as though everyone had a good time.
New patrons were issued library cards while others just updated their information and received a new library card. Books were returned and books were checked out. The Library Board and the volunteers did an outstanding job.
The guest book that we asked everyone to sign was the same guest book used at the opening of the Pea Ridge Community Library in 1975. Several people whose signatures appear in the 1975 section were present at this open house. On display was a United States flag that was presented to the library in 1975 by Representative John Paul Hammerschmidt. We are hoping to get this flag framed and hung permanently in the building.
Mayor Jackie Crabtree recognized Tony Townsend and Corey Flowers for their work on the building. Benton County Sheriff Deputy Donahue from the workforce program of the Benton County Jail spoke briefly; and Kristi Towe, chairperson of the PRCL Board of Trustees, thanked everyone for their part in making the library a reality.
This week is the start of the library summer programs. The Summer Story Hour begins Wednesday, June 12, and will run until school starts. The Summer Reading Program also starts this week. That program runs until June 27. Come by the library to sign your children up for one or both programs. The story hour is open to children of all ages. The Summer Reading Program is for children in kindergarten through fifth grades.
The public use computers are being used more and more. I am pleased that we can offer that service to the community. I was very pleased last week to have someone doing genealogy research. Earlier in the day a gentleman had used the Quiet Room to do some work on his laptop.
You have probably noticed the large pile of sand on the library parking lot. Weather permitting, a crew will begin the brick work on the back of the building this week while a group of inmates begin removing the siding from the remainder of the building. We are hopeful the noise level will not be so loud as to interfere with your visit to the library.
See you at the library!
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Editor’s note: Peggy Maddox is the librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. She can be reached at the library at 451-8442 or by mail at P.O. Box 9, Pea Ridge, AR 72751. Library hours are 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, 10 a.m. to noon and 1-5 p.m.
Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday. The library web site is www.pearigecommunitylibrary.org.
Opinion, Pages 4 on 06/12/2013