Want to begin ‘Friends’ group

Last week was certainly busy at the library. Seems that we have more and more people stopping by — some for books, some to use the computer, some for directions to the Military Park and some just to browse. Whatever the reason, the welcome mat is always out.

I had a wonderful time with my family in St. Louis and returned exhausted, but wouldn’t have missed it for the world! I celebrated a birthday with my 5-year old grandson and got to spend some time with he and his little sister. We had a sleepover before I moved in with my youngest son, his wife and baby Camden. Babies are a lot of work when you are young and they are really a lot of work when you reach my age!

The ladies did a superb job of keeping the library running in my absence. I had a few notes and a few calls to return, but nothing major. Thanks everyone.

Looks as if work may begin in the new library building in a few weeks. The Library Board and I have one more meeting with the architect and hopefully things will move ahead pretty quickly after that. Now we just need money. In order to raise money we need to form a “Friends of the Library Group” to do some fund-raising. I have been doing some research and now I need some of you to volunteer to help get it off the ground. A couple of people who are or have been involved with the Rogers “Friends of the Library” have offered to help out. Just call me or call the library if you are willing to help.

I want to express my appreciation for the checks and cash donations that have been given to the library in the past few weeks. We appreciate these gifts. Each sum we receive takes us one step closer to completing work on the new building.

Plans are going forward for the Summer Reading Program to run for three weeks in June. There will be more details on this soon. We hope to have some super prizes for the winners and a party for all participants.

Am hopeful that someone will volunteer to spend one hour one day a week reading and doing simple crafts with the children. At last summer’s Story Hour we had a varied age group — 1to 7-years old and they had a ball. Tentative time will be 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. on Thursdays.

Here are just a few of the new releases now available.

James Patterson’s new book, “Calico Joe,” is on the shelf. Story is about a fictional baseball player, Calico Joe, from Calico Rock, Ark. Also Lisa Scottoline’s newest, “Come Home,” is the riveting story of a mother who sacrifices her future for a child from her past. We also have “The Lucky One” by Nicholas Sparks in case you want to read it before seeing the movie! I read this and can tell you it is emotion filled. “The Vow” is a very popular book. Last week a patron asked to be called when the book was returned. I phoned her and she was at the library in 10 minutes or less. Shortly after I opened the library the next day she returned it saying that she had read it and wanted to get it back in case someone else was waiting for it! How is that for consideration? C. J. Box has released his 12th Joe Pickett novel. “Back of Beyond” is set in the Bighorn Mountains of Wyoming and is an excellent wilderness adventure.

Take a break from your gardening and stop by the library.

••• Editor’s note: Peggy Maddox is the librarian of the Pea Ridge Community Library. She can be reached at P.O. Box 9, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.

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