Library postpones 100th year celebration

The Forrest City Public Library has postponed its 100th year celebration that was originally set for this weekend.

"As you all know, Forrest City lost a great man, a great teacher and a great friend to the community when Coach (Dwight) Lofton passed away unexpectedly," said library director Arlisa Harris.

Harris said because Lofton's funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, at the same time as the library’s celebration was planned, library officials decided to reschedule their event for May 15.

"We are rescheduling our event out of respect for Coach Lofton and for what he means to this community," said Harris. "Our hearts and prayers are with the Lofton family in their time of loss."

Harris said the rescheduled event will feature the same activities and events.

Sheila Gracey, youth and children's service coordinator, has been helping plan the celebration.

"We'll be serving hotdogs and cake," said Gracey, adding that they hope to hear several people share their memories of the library with the public during the celebration.

"We have been getting good feedback," said Gracey. "We've gotten little letters and notes of things some remember."

Gracey said she will have the letters and notes typed for visitors to read during the event.

She shared that one of the popular stories was of Anne Proctor, the first librarian.

"One of her things was sending birthday cards to children," said Gracey. "She'd have a card that had their age on it and knew all of their birthdays."

Gracey said Proctor also was popular for decorating the library during holidays.

"She was just a phenomenal lady it sounds like," said Gracey.

"I'm also working on a little timeline of the best things to happen to the library.”

Gracey said other features of the celebration would include a disc jockey, a balloon artist from noon until 2 p.m., and door prizes.

"We have several already and we are hoping to get a few more coming in," said Gracey. "We are hoping for a good turnout."

Gracey said any leftover donations for the event would go to the library's summer reading program.