GENTRY -- Gentry Library will be spending the week of Oct. 20-26 celebrating its Friends of the Library group, Gentry Public Library Association (GPLA), as part of the 13th annual celebration of National Friends of Libraries Week.
The GPLA was established in May 1994 and has raised thousands of dollars for the library. Many community members contribute annually through direct contributions, gala participation, book donation and actively volunteering their time to assist the group with fundraising and library activities. Their fundraising includes the Friends of the Library Book Sale located within the library.
"The Gentry Public Library has been an important community service for me and my family since inception," said GPLA president Marla England. "I was honored to assume my father's position on the GPLA board when he decided, after many years of service, to step down. I enjoy giving back to the community and I look forward to working with other GPLA members in the future."
Other officers of the organization are Terri Guntharp, Kaye Cripps, Cheryl Smith, Berta Norris, Virginia Patterson, Delia Haak, Wyman Okuma and David Wilson.
"We are grateful for the GPLA and for everything it does for our library," said interim library director Linda Crume. "Benton County is one of only three counties in Arkansas that doesn't have a library tax. Our city provides funding for our building and staff, but the GPLA provides funding for many of the other items necessary to our library -- books and materials, crafting supplies, and programs and events funding. Many of our patrons are surprised to learn this. We have an amazing library and much of it is due to the work of the GPLA."
Library staff members invite everyone to stop into the library to sign the "I'm a Library Friend" card to thank the GPLA for all it does for the library and community.
Please contact the library at 479-736-2054 or visit gentrylibrary.us to learn more about library activities or call to find out how to become a member of the GPLA.
National Friends of Libraries Week is coordinated by United for Libraries, a division of the American Library Association with approximately 4,000 personal and group members representing hundreds of thousands of library supporters. United for Libraries supports those who govern, promote, advocate and fundraise for libraries, and brings together library trustees, advocates, friends and foundations into a partnership that creates a powerful force for libraries in the 21st century. For more information, visit www.ala.org/united.
General News on 10/16/2019