Library Notes: Library move accomplished

The library has a new home! Winter Moving & Storage showed up at 8:30 a.m. Monday, March 18, as promised and got right to work. I stayed to watch as the books were being removed from the shelves but decided I could do something more useful at the new building. The real reason was that it was very emotional and I didn’t think the guys wanted to see me cry!

Around lunch time, the first two trucks pulled into the parking lot. After the KNWA reporter did some filming, we all stopped for lunch. Thanks to Donna Beaver and Dottie Adriano for providing sloppy Joes, potato salad, chips and dessert. After a quick lunch, everyone was back at it.

Shelves and books were moved in and the movers went back for the remaining shelves and books.

Finished unloading around 5:30 p.m. and the movers were out the door with our heartfelt thanks. Without them we would still be moving. Some of us stayed for a while trying to figure out a plan of action for Tuesday.

For those of you who saw the footage on KNWA about our move, somethings need to be clarified. The reporter did not talk with me or any of the Library Board members at the new building and, therefore, I don’t know where he got his information/misinformation. He referred to the female volunteers as “librarians” when there is only one librarian, but we wish there were more. He also stated that Winter Moving & Storage donated their services.

That was not entirely true - they did give us a good discount which we appreciate. Unfortunately we are not opening this week as reported. We appreciate the coverage, but wish he had gotten his facts straight.

Things have gone more smoothly than we anticipated. The board members and a few volunteers have worked really hard all week. All the books are on the shelves; not in order but at least no longer in boxes and on the floor. Approximately 2,000 books have been scanned into the new system. Lots of books have been purged so look for a book sale sometime in 2013.

The former Seligman, Mo., librarian will come down on March 26 to teach us how to print labels, process patron cards, etc. They use the same system we are implementing and we are very grateful for the help.

We are hoping to be able to put the library card application form on Facebook. Those of you who use Facebook can print this form, fill it out and bring it to the library on your first visit. This form, your driver’s license or state-issued photo identification card and a piece of recent mail sent to your current address are necessary to obtain a new patron card.

This process will take some time and we ask you to be patient. If you have a friend or neighbor who does not use Facebook, please print a form for them.

Anyone who owes a fine for overdue or lost library materials will not be able to obtain a card until fines are paid. It will be imperative that a borrower call the library before the end of the day your items are due to ask for a renewal. The new system will automatically access fines beginning the first day the materials are late and those fines will be due before more materials can be checked out.

As much as we wanted to re-open on April 2, we want everything to be operational before we open.

Opening day will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, April 9. Our normal Tuesday hours are 4 p.m. - 8 p.m. but decided we would open early on our first day.

There is not space in this column to acknowledge everyone who has had a hand in making the move into the new building a reality.

But please know how much we appreciate everything you have done and are continuing to do for us.

We just can’t wait until we can open our doors and show off your new 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 03/27/2013