Hempstead County Library Ribbon Cutting
The Hope Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting for the Hempstead County Library on Tuesday, August 27. The library is now completely done with construction and the sign has been put in place on the front lawn. Library staff, board members, previous board members, and the community gathered at the library to be part of the celebration.
Hempstead County Librarian, Courtney McNiel welcomed guests to join them as the cut the ribbon before returning inside for the presentation. After the ribbon cutting McNiel gave a special thanks to Fulton Grass for the sod that was placed, the Hempstead County Master Gardeners for the arrangements that were placed outside the entrance, Amigo Juans for catering the event, McDonalds of Hope for donating books and helping with funding, the 309s for helping out, and Hope Floral for the interior arrangements.
Jerry Pruden who serves as President for the library spoke of Dr. and Mrs. G.E. Cannon who gave the library a place of establishment in the 1940s which has remained the library permanent place ever since. The taxpayers wanted a library and Milton D. and Mary C. Campbell wanted to invest in Hempstead County and the Library is where they choose to place their investment. Prudent then introduced present board members; City Mayor-Steve Montgomery, City Manager-Catherine Cook, Hempstead County Judge-Jerry Crane, Juan Rivera, and John Hays. Karen O’Neal who serves as the Coordinator of the Arkansas Center for the Book was also introduced followed by State Representative Danny Watson. Jerry Crane spoke briefly on the changes that have occurred over the past several years, and how they are for the good, he thanked McNiel, her staff, and the board for bringing things back to life and bringing a better community to Hope.
The board had been in discussion about construction of a new library before McNiel joined the library team six years ago, she has since been part of the design, construction, and hard work that has gone into making the library a place for the community. She has worked with the board and architects after touring many libraries to have her visions come to life for Hempstead County.
City Mayor Steve Montgomery said thanks to board and encourage the community members to please let your friends and family know about location and the facility and that it is one of kind in South West Arkansas.
McNiel then presented the board and her staff with bricks from the previous library construction that had a plaque with the Hempstead County Library logo and date of the ribbon cutting ceremony.
