SULPHUR SPRINGS -- The Sulphur Springs Library reopened Monday, July 7, after being closed for several months.
The library, located in the old red brick Sulphur Springs school building at 512 S. Black Street, is now open from 1 to 4 p.m. every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Cinda Paulson of Sulphur credits Martha Kreder, a long-time resident and one of the library commissioners, with being the impetus behind the library opening. Cinda read an appeal for library volunteers that Martha wrote in "The Buzz," a newsletter of community events started a few months ago.
Since Cinda had recently retired to help care for her mother and had more free time, she decided to respond. One phone call to Martha was all it took for her to get involved with the project.
Although Cinda has never had any library experience, she is assisted by her mother, Maxine Paulson, 89, of Noel.
Maxine had worked in the library at the University of Oklahoma at Norman during the years her husband Merritt was going to school there on the G.I. Bill. More recently, she worked two years at the Pineville (Mo.) library. She also helped move the books in the Sulphur library to their present location a few years ago when the library outgrew its former location behind the present building. Although she is now using a wheelchair after knee surgery and is suffering from poor eyesight, she has offered invaluable help.
The Paulsons gained another helper when Tawny Donell of Gravette went to the library to post a flyer about the area HIPPY program. When she learned the facility was closed for lack of volunteers, she too decided to sign on. Tawny, a Missouri native, started the library at her church, Wellspring Baptist Church in Bolivar, Mo., and worked there for two years.
Cinda is also assisted by her nephew, Dane Paulson of Anderson. Dane, 16, is a junior at McDonald County High School and has been helping update the library computers.
The library has a good selection of about 9,000 books, as well as magazines, audio and video tapes for checkout. "The Book Nook" in the hallway also has books and magazines for sale at bargain prices for those who want to add to their home libraries.
There are three computers for patron use and another one is available for children to play games.
Cinda is offering $1 an hour on Wednesday afternoons to anyone willing to read to the elderly or others who enjoy books but have difficulty reading.
The volunteer staff held a library opening reception on Wednesday, July 9, and a few patrons dropped by to enjoy pink lemonade and homemade cookies.
Although not many have taken advantage of library services so far, Cinda is hoping when word gets around that the doors are open again traffic will increase.
Individual library memberships are available for $2 or $5 for a family.
Patrons from Sulphur Springs and surrounding communities are invited to drop by during open hours to sign up, or to call 479-298-3753 for more information.
General News on 07/16/2014