Sulphur library celebrates reopening
SULPHUR SPRINGS — The Sulphur Springs Library celebrated its grand reopening with an open house from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 27.
Area citizens, young and old, came out to view the culmination of several months of hard work that have gone into getting the library open to the public again. Walls in the corridor outside and in the library itself were adorned with colorful artwork created by June Murray. Refreshments of cookies and bottled water were served, with cookies provided by The Cookie Jar, a local bakery operated by Harris and Marcy Steele.
The library, in the historic old school building at 512 S. Black Ave. which also houses the Sulphur Springs Police Department and city offices, has undergone quite a transformation. Librarian Melinda Griffin and several volunteers have worked for the past several months weeding out old, damaged and outdated books, stripping and refinishing the floors, rearranging bookshelves and installing new ones and decorating the library with attractive artwork. All the new bookcases were donated by individuals and organizations in the community.
Melinda’s husband, Rodgers, was especially helpful in assembling bookshelves, although he modestly acknowledged “Melinda did all the hard work.”
Griffin spent about six months working at the Gravette Public Library and being mentored by Gravette library manager Karen Benson and her staff. She gained much valuable knowledge there before launching out to pursue her long-held dream of being a librarian. The Sulphur Springs library, which had been closed for many months, was an ideal proving ground for a person like Griffin with a lifelong love of reading and a desire to encourage others to love reading.
Karen Benson was one of the special guests at Saturday’s open house. Other special guests were members of the Bentonville/Bella Vista chapter of Altrusa International. Altrusa focuses on children’s literacy efforts, and members of the club have helped with the setup at the Sulphur library and helped by donating books to increase the library’s inventory. Altrusa has donated between 600 and 700 books, both adult and children’s volumes. The Altrusa group also aids school libraries at Gravette and Decatur and the public libraries at Gravette, Decatur, Bella Vista and Bentonville.
Also on hand were members of the Sulphur Springs library commission, which was formed about six months ago to aid in guiding the library rejuvenation. Commission members include Lynn Howard, Susan Hutcheson, Marla Johnson, Petite Parker and Abigail Young. Howard presented Griffin with a balloon bouquet in appreciation for all the work she has put into preparing the library for reopening.
Sulphur Springs mayor Shane Weber dropped in at the open house and was obviously pleased to have the library as a new asset for local residents. Griffin receives no salary from the city. She and her helpers are all volunteers. Griffin and volunteers conducted a successful “Oceans of Possibilities” summer reading program for children ages 3 through 12 the week of July 25-29.
In addition to an extensive inventory of books for children, young adults and adults, the library also offers audiobooks and DVDs for checkout. Three laptop computers are being prepared for patron use. A Little Free Seed Library is set up in one corner of the adult book section at which patrons can take packets of seeds or sort out portions of bulk seed to take home and plant.
The sign over the seed cabinet reads: “Take what you need, Leave some for others, Bring some to share.” Visitors can also purchase books from several shelves of sale books to take home and add to their personal libraries. Books are very reasonably priced at $1 for hardback books and 50 cents for paperback volumes. The library also provides a Little Free Library on Hibler Street where readers can pick up free books.
Griffin said she is working on setting up a Friends of the Library organization which will help with fundraising for the library. Donations of money and books are accepted and appreciated. Griffin and her helpers are trying to raise funds for several upcoming projects, including painting the library, rugs and furniture in the children’s room, supplies for community events, and “books, books, books,” she said.
Open hours for the library will be Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Griffin said library after-hours events will be held from time to time. The first is scheduled at 7 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30, with local author Beverly Gibson, who will be displaying her new book, “The Teacher Learns Love.”
Those interested may follow library activities on its Facebook page, Sulphur Springs, AR Library, or view the collection online at https://sulphurspringspl.booksys.net/opac/sspl/index.html.