HOLLY GROVE -- Books are being sorted and shelves are being stocked as the Smith Holly Grove Library prepares to open.
Located at 155 East Dr. Herd Stone Street in Holly Grove, the library has been an ongoing project for about a year now. The library is being housed in the former railroad depot building. Lots of work has been going on to get the building ready for a library including restoration of the outside and inside. Most of the funding for the project has been provided thorugh grants with ther rest being provided by the estate of Louis and Jo Smith, who for years provided the bookmobile. Since the bookmobile is no longer in operation, work began on keeping a library available for Holly Grove residents.
Linda Jackson of Holly Grove is the librarian at the Smith Holly Grove Library. Jackson is a retired teacher, teaching third grade and reading lab at Holly Grove Public Schools for 28 years.
She noted that she is continuing to sort and scan books and stock shelves in preparation for the opening of the library. She explained that most of the books the library now has are what were on the former bookmobile and what have been donated by the Clarendon and Helena librarires.
She explained that donations of non-fiction and children's books would be accepted and greatly appreciated.
"We have very few non-fiction and children's books and would love any donations," she said.
Jackson pointed out that the library has an abundance of paperback books and does not really need any more of them.
The library is currently waiting on a final grant to come through in order to finish installing shevles, tables, etc.
Hopes are to have the library open by the end of July, but an exact date has not been set as yet.
Once the library opens, it will be open from 10 a.m. till 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday each week.
Jackson commented that lots of people have stopped by to see what's being done to get the library ready and anyone is welcome to stop by and do so. But books are not ready to be checked out just yet.
HOLLY GROVE -- Grant funding has been received for the establishment of the Louis and Jo Smith Library at Holly Grove. The library recently received a $10,000 grant from the Monroe County Community Foundation and a $4,000 grant from the Riceland Foods Foundation.
Raymond Abramsom noted that the library idea has come about due to the terminated operations of the Bookmobile because of high costs and since the Holly Grove Schools have been consolidated into the Clarendon School District leaving no library available to Holly Grove residents. He also noted that the library will have an initial supply of boosk from the Bookmobile and from the Helena Library.
Abramson explained that plans are to employ a person to serve as librarian to start out on a part-time basis, with assistance from volunteers.
Possible library hours will be from noon til 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, with operating hours expanded as revenues allow.
All contributions are appreciated. Tax deductible contributions may be made payable to Smith Bookmobile Inc., and delivered to the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas in Holly Grove, or mailed c/o Raymond Abramson, P.O. Box 281, Clarendon, Ark. 72029.
excerpts from the Oct. 17, 2008, Central Delta Argus-Sun:
HG library set to open Nov. 15
... The Louis and Jo Smith Library will be located at the Old Depot building in Holly Grove, once known as "The Bent Rail." The City of Holly Grove has allowed the library committee to utilize the building for this purpose. A tentative opening date for the library has been set as Nov. 15.
excerpts from Sept. 19, 2008, Central Delta Argus-Sun:
... Raymond Abramson noted that the library has come about due to the terminated operations of the Bookmobile because of high costs and since the Holly Grove Schools have been consolidated into the Clarendon School District leaving no library available to Holly Grove residents.
Tentative plans have been made to rent the building which formerly served as the Holly Grove Masonic Lodege for the library facility, he said. He also noted that the library will have an initial supply of books from the Bookmobile and from the Helena Library.
Abramson explained that palns are to employ a person to serve as librarian to start out on a part-time basis with assistance from volunteers. Possible library hours will be from noon until 5 p.m. Monday through Friday with operating hours expanding as revenues allow. A tentative opening date for the library has been set as Nov. 15.
HOLLY GROVE -- Planning is underway for the establishment of the Louis and Jo Smith Library in Holly Grove. The most recent organizational meeting was held on Aug. 27 at the Old City Hall Building in Holly Grove.
A committee of interested citizens is working with the community onn securing a building, grants and funding, librarian, and volunteers. The committee has determined that it will require start-up funds of $10,000 to being operations for a new library.
Anyone interested in learning more of helping with the library is invited to attend the next meeting Sept. 24 at 4 p.m. at the Old City Hall Building. If interested in working with the library, please contact Raymond Abramson at 870-747-3377.
All contributions are appreciated. Tax deductible contributions may be made payable to Smith Bookmobile, Inc., and delivered to the First National Bank of Eastern Arkansas in Holly Grove, or mailed c/o Raymond Abramson, P.O. Box 281, Clarendon, AR 72029.
