Public library employees trained to help residents apply for their passports
Board approves new dress code policy
The Forrest City Public Library has completed the requirements to be able to accept applications for passports.
Arlisa Harris, library director, told members of the library’s board on Monday that she, along with library employees Sheila Gracey and Rene Ward, completed the training portion to accept applications.
"I am comfortable about every aspect except taking the photo," Harris told the board.
She said that to help ease her into that aspect she had contacted the postmaster at the Forrest City office, asking to “shadow” them when they take photos.
"They are very particular about that photo," Harris said of the passport offices. "It has to be straight on, in a certain light, everything. So we'll be shadowing the post office for a bit to get that aspect down."
Harris explained once they are comfortable with the photo the library would start taking applications for people to obtain passports.
"It takes a few weeks to get back to us – even expedited – and we just don't want to end up in a situation where we have somebody coming back saying they didn't get to go on their trip because the photo wasn't correct," said Harris.
"This is exciting," said board member Judy Sweet.
Board chair Lindsay Hodges asked when Harris expects to begin taking applications.
"We are hoping in August," said Harris, who added it would largely depend on how much they are able to learn in the meantime about the photos.
Sweet said while she is excited she wants to make sure the library and staff are not overburdening themselves with more work and extra services being offered at the library.
"I want to make sure you and the staff don't overextend yourselves," said Sweet.
Hodges recommended the library offer passports by appointments, like the post office does, and Harris agreed that is a good idea.
Harris also told the board about several paintings by John Isom that had been donated to the library by Kathryn Young Rose.
Rose's mother, Marguerite
Young, formerly worked at the library and was a fan of John Isom's works, which she asked for as a Christmas present one year, according to the note from Rose.
Rose also said her father, John Young, had taken art classes at East Arkansas Community College at 60 years of age and had been encouraged by Isom, Louis Bingham and Peter Haven, so she was donating Isom's painting in the honor of her parents as well as Isom's contributions to the community.
Harris asked Ward to speak more about the paintings.
"I was his neighbor," Ward said of Isom. "He was raised right there on Scott Street in Madison. He was a fantastic artist and a band director at Lincoln High School before transferring to Forrest City High School."
Ward said Isom passed away in the early 80s but was a mentor to a lot of people in the community and said the paintings would draw interest to the library.
In other business, Harris said the library has received several grants that will be used for the summer program, one of which is from the Forrest City Rotary Club.
Harris said the Rotary grant is for the 100 days of reading challenge in which students through 12th grades are encouraged to keep a reading log with the library until Sept. 8.
"We will receive $2,000 for this," said Harris. "It is why our summer program is a little longer this time around. There has always been a reading component, but with this grant, it is more so."
Harris said another grant is from the St. Francis Community Foundation.
"It is a $3,000 grant," said Harris, explaining that the library received the grant in two checks – one for $1,900 and the other for $1,100.
Harris said the grants were used to buy books to give to children during the summer program and that all of the summer program was paid for by the two grants provided by the community.
"It is really nice to have the community support in what we are doing this year," said Harris. "It has been a while since we received this much locally."
Harris said the summer programs, which began last week, have been successful. "So far, we have had a good turnout," she said.
Harris also said the library would be looking into applying for an Outdoor Recreation Matching Grant for 2023 if the city closes the Stuart Springs project on time.
"I spoke to Glynis (Lynch) and they are concluding the Stuart Springs project," said Harris. "As soon as I know for sure I will start working on this grant application again."
Harris said the application would again include onsite visits, public meetings and newspaper notices.
"I will know more in July," said Harris.
Harris also said the library is partnering with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership to host a drive through vaccination clinic.
"They will be set up in our parking lot with Pfizer vaccines and boosters," said Harris. “They wanted me to make sure people know if they had two Moderna shots they could receive a Pfizer booster."
The board also voted to approve a new dress code policy for library staff.
The policy prohibits library employees from wearing, among other things, excessively short skirts or dresses, tight revealing clothing, workout attire or medical scrubs, sagging or baggy pants, hats, bandanas or scarfs and flip flops.
Employees are also prohibited from wearing T-shirts with logos on them unless the logos promote library programs or are official library apparel.