Women’s group supports library; ornament to be released

By Elizabeth Pannell

LITTLE ROCK — The Clark County Library in Arkadelphia would not exist without the help of the Woman’s Library Association. And now, 111 years later, the association is still active in supporting the library and community.

The association began in 1897 as the 30 members began urging Clark County residents to donate books to begin a library. Association history records state “the response was encouraging.”

As the collection continued to grow, the group began to run out of room at the librarian’s house and began storing books in homes around town. That’s when they began efforts to build a county library.

Fundraising events for the library included oyster suppers, bazaars, spelling bees, a fiddler contest and a benefit lecture by William JenningsBryan, U.S. Secretary of State under President Woodrow Wilson.

The building was completed in December 1903 and association president Caroline Luck said the library is “one of the state’s oldest library buildings.” The library was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in November 1974.

Because of the library’s historical significance, the Clark County Historical Association created a replicate of the library in a Christmas ornament. On Monday, the association will introduce to the public the second ornament in its series. The event will begin at 10 a.m. at the library. The ornaments will be $15 each. The ornament from 2007, featuring the Clark County Courthouse, also will be available.

The association has 31 members and every year in October it has a book review. For the past 18 years, association member Jewell Vincent has provided the colorful review.

“I read a good many books,” Vincent said. “So they just ask me to do the review every year. I choose the book, which is usually a biography or historical novel.”

Vincent said she has not chosen the book for this year’s review yet, but one possibiity is Cokie Roberts’ Ladies of Liberty The Women Who Shaped Our Nation.

“Women have always been in politics,” Vincent said. “This book gives great background on all those great women.”

Librarian Judy Golden said the association also has worked hard to find funds for the library and helped obtain a grant through the Ross Foundation.

“The grant we just receivedin July will help us put our card catalog online,” Golden said. “When it’s up and running anyone will be able to access our card catalog through the Internet.”

Golden, librarian for 32 years, said the association has been a “great support system” for the library. Golden said many of t he members are second- and third-generation members who have “strong ties to the community.”

“These ladies are not afraid to go to the Quorum Court or justice of the peace and ask for help. Anytime I need anything extra, or when the library has been in financial trouble, the WLA has been there and someone has been willing to help,” Golden said. “They will have yard sales and used book sales to help the library.” - epannell@ arkansasonline.com

Tri-Lakes, Pages 127, 133 on 10/12/2008