‘A new chapter’ for the Van Buren Library

 

story and photos by Brittany Ransom

“Today we begin a new chapter in the history of this library and in the history of the city of Van Buren.”

Those were the emotional words of Eva White, Crawford County Library System Director who, along with the city, has anxiously awaited the opening of the new Van Buren Public Library since it was originally approved in 2005.

Plagued by fire, legal issues and numerous other setbacks, the library finally had its big debut on Sunday (Feb. 13).

Hundreds gathered to celebrate the library’s grand opening and to witness the completion of a community project many years in the making.

As the ceremony kicked-off, White acknowledged the project’s long, difficult, history saying, “I know many of you wondered if we would ever open this library.”

She shared the story of how a vision for the new facility was born. The library had occupied its former building, located behind Butterfield Junior High School, for more than 38 years.

Van Buren Mayor Bob Freeman compared the library to a “phoenix rising from the ashes,” citing the incredible obstacles the project had to overcome. Voters first approved a half cent sales tax for the library’s construction in July 2005. The following year, the city again approved a half cent tax to allow for more funding. Originally, the building was scheduled for completion in October 2008. However, a fire that September halted construction and began a series of legal and contractual issues that took until the summer of 2010 to resolve. Construction finally resumed that summer, after nearly two years of delays and frustrations.

Freeman expressed his excitement over the project’s completion by announcing, “It’s a great day in Van Buren, Arkansas.”

The new facility, located at 1409 Main Street, is close to the city’s downtown area. With more than 19,000 square feet, the building includes a computer lab with 25 stations, four study rooms, a genealogy room, a children’s library and an area dedicated to teens. It also includes a meeting room that will accommodate over 125 people and a public conference room. A screened porch surrounds part of the library, as well. The porch is filled with rockers and other furniture to help provide visitors with another comfortable and relaxing reading area.

During the ceremony, Mayor Freeman read a letter from U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., in which Boozman praised the city and its citizens for its great accomplishment.

Donna Parker, president of the Van Buren Library Board, said acquiring the land for the library was an initial turning point for the project.

“This library is in the perfect location, on Main Street, as it should be,” Parker said.

She recognized Shirley and Ed Yeager who donated land for the building and thanked them for their role in making the dream of a new library a reality.

State librarian Carolyn Ashcroft congratulated Van Buren for its commitment to the public library system. She gave a “hats off” to White and the other staff for their hard work and for their perseverance in seeing the project through to the end.

White thanked the community and the voters of Van Buren who she added, “made this possible.”

A ribbon cutting was held on the steps of the building. White and Danalene Porter, Van Buren Library Director, did the honors of cutting the ceremonial ribbon. Following the ribbon cutting, the new Frances Yeager Children’s Library was dedicated. Yeager spent 12 years volunteering at City Heights Elementary School and was well-known for her passion for children. Her family, who donated the land for construction, chose to have the children’s area named in her honor.

Local educator and longtime friend of Yeager, Jeannie Mendenhall, spoke on their behalf.

“Frances Yeager took great pride in helping students, particularly those who couldn’t speak English, because both of her parents were immigrants from Poland,” Mendenhall said.

Mendenhall shared stories of how Yeager, known to many as “Nanny,” had touched many lives and that naming the children’s library after her was fitting given her contribution to the community. She read a note given to Yeager by a former non-English speaking student that simply stated, “Thank you, Nanny. Now I can read.”

Grand Opening festivities will continue throughout the week. “Love Your Library” will be held Monday, Valentine’s Day and will include prizes, a health fair and guest speakers. Tuesday will be Technology/Audio Day. The library will host arts and crafts activities on Wednesday and a Spring Genealogy Workshop on Thursday. Friday, Feb. 18, local authors will be on hand for autographs. The week will conclude with a Kids Day on Saturday that will include story time, a pirate and princess party and a special showing of Toy Story 3.