13 Apr 2015 New library planned at Clinton

A ground-breaking ceremony is planned 10 a.m. Friday, April 17, for a new library at 289 Factory Road in Clinton.

The Van Buren County Library Board recently announced plans for the new 11,000-square-foot facility.

Land for the new structure was donated by Don and Jo Nell Warren, parents of library board member David Warren. The property is adjacent to the Warren Wellness Clinic and the Red River Country Golf Club. Donald has practiced dentistry in Clinton for more than 30 years. David is a chiropractor who has practiced in Clinton for 13 years. Younger brother Darryl, also a dentist, joined the family clinic eight years ago.

Architect for the library is Mark Mann of Stocks-Mann Architects of Little Rock. Conway-based Nabholz will serve as the construction manager for the project, under the leadership of project manager Gary Strack. “Nabholz is excited to serve Van Buren County on their future library project,” said Jake Nabholz, executive vice president. “We are celebrating our 65th year of business this year, and to have the opportunity to serve our local communities, where so many of our team members past and present call home, is a real blessing.”  

The new library, slated to open in the spring of 2016, will provide space for a number of new services not currently available, including 19 public computers, a multiple use meeting room for up to 50 people, a private study room and a genealogy and Arkansas history room. The meeting space will enable the library to offer a wide range of programs for all ages, such as summer reading programs for children, classes, book clubs or other programs for adults, and films or other activities for teens.

The Van Buren County Library Board has worked for more than 13 years to bring this project to fruition. Current board members are chair Rhonda Davis, Sunny Hargis, Glenda Stagg, Sherrin Richardson and David Warren. Their efforts won them the Arkansas Library Association’s Bessie B. Moore Trustee Award for 2014. Davis noted that a number of people and organizations have been instrumental in making the dream an imminent reality.

County Judge Roger Hooper has worked extensively with attorneys, business leaders and White River Development to find an innovative way to finance the building project without raising taxes. Hooper serves as one of 33 governing board members with White River Planning and Development District (WRPDD), one of eight private, non-profit organizations established by the Arkansas Legislature in 1967 to spur economic and community growth and improve living standards throughout the state.

WRPDD has contracted with First Service Bank to finance the new library. White River will own the facility and lease it to the county for 10 years, at which time ownership will be turned over to Van Buren County.  

Locally owned and operated for more than 50 years, First Service Bank has served the Clinton community since 1998. The Clinton location is led by Van Buren County Market President Darla McJunkins. “We are a community-based bank that focuses on putting their money and their people back into the community to help it grow and succeed,” she said. “First Service Bank is proud to be a part of the construction of the new library, and we look forward to working with the county on any future expansions that will bring more jobs to Van Buren County.”

Van Buren County Grant Coordinator Kathy Sherwood explained that fundraising for the project will require generous contributions of time, effort and money from a large number of people. Among those are the Friends of the Library, established in 1986 to support the work of the library staff and board. The group represents the library at ArcheyFest, the county fair, the county health fair and other community events throughout the year. They also host an annual book sale, and began the Leg It to the Library Two-Mile Fun Run last year to raise funds for the new library facility.

Dedicated library supporters began in 2001 raising funds and saving toward the new building.