Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Library Project A Reality

Friday was a great day for Prescott and Nevada County as the formal announcement was made on a new library project.

The community room at St. Michael's Clinic was packed with area residents anxiously awaiting the word on the $1 million project for downtown Prescott.

State Sen. Mike Ross spearheaded the effort to get the money for a new library to replace the current facility. The existing structure houses 22,000 volumes, but the new one will not only hold more books, but will be home to a community room and have computer equipment available to the public as well.

Ross, speaking to the crowd, said he filed SB 658, which became Act 831 of '99 and gives Prescott the money for a new library.

But, he continued, the effort was not his alone. Ross acknowledged the aid of state representatives Percy Malone, the co-chair of the joint budget committee, and Sandra Rodgers, also a member of the joint budget panel, along with senators Mike Beebe and Robert White.

These people, he said, worked hard for the passage of this measure so the residents of Nevada County could have a state-of-the-art media complex.

Only two other projects received more funding during the session, Ross said.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown, Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor and Ross had a "kitchen table" discussion of what the area needed before the session began.

Ross wanted to do something special for the county in this, his final regular session ever as state senator. Because of term limits, Ross is not allowed to seek reelection to this post.

The discussion centered around the need for a better library, with the understanding being an interlocal agreement would be required between the city and county government to maintain and operate the facility, as the county doesn't have the funds to do it alone.

The next step will be for the Nevada County Quorum Court and Prescott City Council to enter into the interlocal agreement.

Then, Ross said, a city library board will have to be created to work with the county library board. From there, the city will be required to provide the site for construction and send a letter to the Governor's Office for approval.

It will take about two years to get the money to build the structure, Ross told those present.

"We're not just talking about a library," he said. The facility can be a gathering place for people of the community.

There can be a "mom's day out" where older residents can read to children and give mothers a break, he said.

In addition, with the new structure, Prescott may be able to get exhibits it couldn't get before and allow area residents to experience different forms of art.

The media and computer center will be user friendly, giving those without home computers a chance to get work done they couldn't otherwise do, including writing resumes and doing research.

There can also be a classroom for adult education where the extension office can hold classes and people can work toward their GEDs.

And, he said, the library should have Saturday and Sunday hours for those who work during the week and are unable to get to the library during normal working hours.

"This can revitalize downtown," Ross said. "We can use this as an anchor for downtown and bring businesses back by bringing people to the downtown area."

In closing, Ross reminded the people his term ends Jan. 1, 2001 and he cannot run again for this office. "The people of Prescott and Nevada County have been most supportive to me and my family," he said. "We will always be grateful. It's been a wonderful 10 years, and helping get this $1 million grant was a great way to end the legislative session."

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor said this grant signifies two things, leadership and dedication to the community.

He said it shows the focus is correct as the area is moving forward and working to enhance economic development and growth.

Taylor presented Ross with a key to the city for his efforts in procuring the grant.

Malone said this was Ross's day, as it was Ross who approached Malone with the idea for the grant, asking him to support it.

Ross, he said, explained the significance of the library to the area. "There's more to industrial development than taking care of prospects," Malone said. "They want to know what the people think of their community.

"Education is at the top of their (a prospect's) list. They hope their children can grow up in a place they love and stay there, or get the education they need to go elsewhere if they choose.

"All the components are right in Prescott for the community to grow and thrive."

Malone said he and Ross have worked closely together over the years to represent the people of Southwest Arkansas and now the money is beginning to come in and help the region grow.

Rodgers said it was almost unbearable on the last day of the session as those who were leaving were recognized.

Ross, she said, served with diligence and dignity, but is being removed by term limits.

Malone, she said, can run for Ross's seat in the next term, as he is in his last term as representative.

The three of them, Rodgers said, work together on community projects for the district.

"Mike has done a great job providing leadership and vision to the district," she said. "He showed great vision for the library.

"I've enjoyed serving with Mike and Percy and hate to see Mike go."

Walt Denton, executive director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, praised the efforts of the trio saying through their efforts the district received more than $1,10,000 during the session.

This includes money for the Nevada County Fair Association along with funds for the area's volunteer fire departments.

"The leadership of the community," he said, "is working toward a diverse industrial base to make the area stronger.

"We have a downtown to be proud of and to accomplish great things, we need to surround ourselves with great people. These things don't happen without you," Denton said, directing the comments at Ross, Malone and Rodgers.

Denton presented gift baskets to Malone and Rodgers and gave Ross a clock to help him be on time for his appointments. Ross joked with Denton saying he hoped the clock would help because he's always late.