Exciting News and Announcements

We have a snazzy new logo. 🙂 But that’s not the big announcement.

Usually, I try to do a book review for the second week of every month, but I wanted to take a break from our regular blog programming to chat about some exciting new developments here at the Berryville Public Library. . . .

Those of you who live in Berryville–and those of you who don’t but have been following our blog for any length of time–know we badly need a new building because we have outgrown our current space.

So, we were very excited to announce three weeks ago that we have secured a location for a new library and the resolution approving it has passed the county quorom court. The land is 2.5 acres on Branch and Basore Streets, right next to the city pool and city park, a perfect location. The land had originally been purchased by the city, and the City Council has very generously agreed to donate the land to the library.

We still have a journey ahead of us before we can set foot in a new facility. Namely, we need a building design, and then we need to raise the money to build it.

Want to help?

As a first step, we’re soliciting the community for feedback on what they want to see in a new library and will have surveys available, as well as focus groups, in June and July. Please contact the library for more information–we want to hear from you!

We’re also encouraging folks to join our Friends of the Berryville Library group. They provide vital promotional and fundraising support for the library and are going to be an important partner for us going forward. Memberships start at just $10 a year, and the Friends are now on Facebook.

And, of course, donations to the capital campaign for a new building are always appreciated. 🙂

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The other news is that our annual summer reading program is underway! This year, our theme is “A Universe of Stories,” and it is definitely space-themed. We have programming for all ages, and everyone is welcome to sign up to participate.

In addition to our programs that occur year-round, like storytime and book clubs, we’re also having presenters each Monday afternoon and a hands-on space camp every Wednesday afternoon.

Later this week, on June 14, we’re going to have the Arkansas SkyDome Portable Planetarium, courtesy of the Friends of the Library, set up inside the community center. Afterward, we’ll have an outdoor screening of Apollo 13. Free admission to cool portable planetariums, free outdoor movies, Tom Hanks, space drama, Houston having a problem. What more could you ask for on a Friday afternoon/evening?

Just check out our calendar for June and see everything that’s going on:

What do you want to see in a new Berryville Public Library facility? Have you signed up for summer reading yet? What are your plans for the summer? Tell us in the comments!