Happy to report I have finished all my physical therapy sessions and I owe a big debt of gratitude to Alpha and Omega here in Pea Ridge for their services. And I don't have to see the surgeon for three months. It is good to be pain free and back to a normal lifestyle.
While looking through some old files here in the library I found notes from a City Council Meeting on Sept. 11, 1974, in which the following individuals were elected to serve on the first Library Board -- Maxine Morrison, Carrie Wright, the Rev. Bob Richardson, Fred McKinney and Jane Cooley. At the December meeting of that year, the board commended Pauline Boepple for her work as volunteer librarian. Mrs. Boepple was hired in October 1976 to be the librarian and open hours for the library increased from four hours per week to 12 hours. Currently the library is open 34 hours a week.
Library hours
1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday and Tuesday
10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays
It was noted in the board minutes of Nov. 4, 1975, that there were 269 patrons with library cards. As of the end of August 2015, the number of library cards issued has grown to 4,424. The first Book Fair was held in May 1976 netting the library $94. In that year the city allotted $250 for the purchase of books. One hundred books, mostly hardbacks, were purchased. Average cost was $7 to $8 per book and the book company gave a discount of 25-40 percent. An average cost of a hardback book is more than $25 today.
How far we have come in this library since 1974. I can only dream of what it will be like in 20 years!
Looking for something fun to do? Here are a few ideas:
• Sept. 11-12 Mountain Man Rendezvous & Native American Day at Calico Rock. Call 800-297-6200 for information.
• The 20th Annual Arkansas Hot Air Balloon State Championship is being held Sept. 11-13 in Harrison. Call 870-741-2659.
Not in the mood for a car trip? Stop by and check out a few good books. A good book can take you many places.
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. The Pea Ridge Community Library has a Facebook site.
Editorial on 09/09/2015