Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

New library open for business on Nov. 4

On Tuesday, Nov. 4, the new Prescott-Nevada County Library will officially be open for business.

Dedication ceremonies, however, were held Sunday, Sept. 26, with Congressman Mike Ross telling the crowd of more than 100 how the new facility came about.

It began in 1999 in Ross's final term as state senator. He was driving around with Walt Denton, the previous director of the Prescott-Nevada County Economic Development Office, and the two were discussing what the county needed.

Ross said he was the only senator with two four year colleges in his district (Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, and Southern Arkansas University in Magnolia), and how most of the state money he was able to procure went to them. But, before he left office, he wanted to do something for Prescott and Nevada County.

Ross said he and Denton were riding around, discussing different ideas, several which would have been short term projects. They agreed something of a more permanent nature. Denton suggested a library, thus the idea was born.

From the discussion with Denton, Ross met with area leaders asking if the city and county could afford to operate a new library. He was told yes, though Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown was concerned as the library millage brings in only about $20,000 a year.

The city and county, though, entered into an interlocal agreement to operate the library and the project was off the ground.

"Some people criticized me for getting $1 million for a library," Ross said.

However, the community has pitched in to help in a wide variety of ways. The Friends of the Library raised money to help purchase furniture, a human chain was formed to move books from the old library to the new one, Jane Bemis challenged the community to raise $75,000, saying she would match it. The community pitched in more than $75,000 to help buy furnishings.

Ross said he didn't get the money to build the library alone. At the time, Percy Malone and Sandra Rodgers were in the House. After the measure was approved by the state Senate, they helped get it through the House.

"This is a celebration of education and economic development," Ross said. "When we have an industrial prospect drive in, they could see a block of closed businesses or the entryway of a city of progress and education."

Ross shared his vision for the library, saying volunteers are needed to help keep it open evenings, weekends and help make it user friendly for those who work during the day. "I want us to be known as the education center of Southwest Arkansas."

Prescott Mayor Howard Taylor opened the speeches, saying it was a long, but enjoyable, struggle, and the new library is something everyone should be proud of.

He said the ribbon cutting was the third event at the facility in the last few days. The second was held Saturday, Oct. 25, at an invitation only gathering, with the first being a flag raising by the 153rd Alpha Co.

The flag raised by the troops deployed to Iraq will remain until they come home after their tour of duty, which will be 12-18 months.

Nevada County Judge James Roy Brown asked everyone in the county to make use of the new facility as often as possible.

He praised Ross, saying if it weren't for his efforts, the area wouldn't have a new library. He also lauded the Friends of the Library for their efforts.

Janet McAdams, president of the FoL, gave a history of the organization, telling the audience it was founded in 1978 by John Teeter and Elizabeth Hayes.

Prescott's former library opened April 22, 1979, with the FoL helping purchase the current building in 1985 for $25,000. The FoL contributed half of the money for it.

Joyce Gibson, librarian, thanked everyone who helped in any way to get the new library become a reality or get it up and running.

She said the Friends of the Library has been her backbone throughout getting the new building constructed and furnished, and reminded everyone the Nevada County Cancer Society sponsored the brickwork for the cancer walk.

Following the traditional cutting of the ribbon, the library was opened to the public for tours.