Library serves community

From an inauspicious beginning in a church with donated books, the Pea Ridge Community Library has expanded and grown over the past 42 years.

The library began June 1, 1974, in donated space in Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church. Thanks to donations, within a year, the library purchased the former Bank of Pea Ridge building, a 900-square-foot building downtown, from where it served the community for 38 years. In April 2013, the new Pea Ridge Community Library was opened in a building on North Curtis Avenue. The building was donated to the city by Mercy Health.

"I am so proud that we have this and that the community is using it and taking advantage of the facility," Linda Whitaker, former librarian said Monday.

An open house was held Monday afternoon at the library celebrating the new community room and surprising retiring librarian Peggy Maddox.

Maddox, who began as a volunteer, became librarian when Whitaker, librarian for 10 years, retired in 2011. Megan Bryant has been named the new director of the library by the Library Board of Directors.

"I'm very excited," Bryant said Monday. "I have great ideas to grow the library and have more community here and excited to get to know all of you. I have lots of learning to do."

Ideas Bryant shared include having an author visit for a book signing, beginning book clubs for all ages of readers, sponsoring a classical movie night, a Lego club, a writing club and writing competitions.

"When we moved here," Maddox said of the new building, "we brought the library into this century because we became computerized. I fought it tooth and nail, but I'm glad we did it. I was so nervous."

"It was overwhelming to think of getting all those books into the computer system," Maddox said. "I'm so thankful for the Library Board."

Maddox and Whitaker praised the former librarians, the community, the many volunteers and members of the Library Board, all of whom worked to make the library what it is today. Board members over the past several years include Cinda Wooldridge, Donna Beaver, Laura Baker, Jenna Scates, Kristi Towe, Jennifer Tillman Wright, Dottie Adriano, Louise David, Diane Small and Heather Cleber.

"It was like we went from this little country library and the next day, we were here -- this very spacious building," Maddox said.

"It took a lot of time, effort and money," Whitaker concurred.

Bryant was one of 13 applicants for the position. She moved to Pea Ridge three years ago, coming from Washington state. She worked as a paraprofessional in the special education department at Pea Ridge schools. She and her husband, Petter, have four daughters, all of whom attend the Pea Ridge schools.

"When I grew up, the library was a big part of my community. A lot of people don't know the library is here. I want it to be known," she said, adding that she hopes to collaborate with the school and use students to help children improve their reading skills. "I volunteered in my community library in Washington."