Library reflects on accomplishments
Posted on Friday, November 21, 2008
Daily Record photograph by Sarah Nader Vice President of the Foundation Board of Directors, Pat Carroll, left, handed retired board members, Mary Baggett and Ed Clifford a plaque for their outstanding service Thursday evening at a reception to celebrate the second anniversary of the new Bentonville Public Library facilities.
BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville Public Library has spent the past two years building a base within its new grounds.
Since it moved from the old Massey Building to a new space at 405 S. Main St. in 2006, the library has grown and become more than just a place for books, but a place for the community.
On Thursday, the Bentonville Library Board thanked the folks who helped make it happen.
A reception was held for donors of the Bentonville Public Library Thursday night. There, Library Board Foundation President Brenda Compton thanked the donors for their patronage.
Library Director Hadi Dudley extended gratitude, and said that since January 2007, the library has seen 476, 806 visits, and patrons have checked out 628, 885 items. The computers were in use more than 88, 000 times, and 13, 695 new library cards were issued.
In addition, the library has added children’s and teen programming, and has added a teen advisory board. In addition, the Library Board has added one teen representative to serve on the board for a year’s term.
Today, when the Board has its final meeting of the year, Bentonville High School sophomore Darryl Mitchell II will be added to the Library Board to provide a teen voice.
Mitchell began volunteering for the library during the summer. “ I just like the environment, ” he said. “ I like how big (the library is ), and the programs it has for teens. ”
Goals for 2009 include development of a five-year strategic plan, as well as adding an interlibrary loan service to allow Bentonville patrons to access materials from collections across the state. Additional teen programs, as well as downloadable audiobooks are also part of 2009 ’s goals, Dudley said.
The library has “ truly become a destination for our community. It is a wonderful tribute to the community, and a gift that will continue for generations, ” Dudley said.
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