Pope County Library System
Our Mission
The Pope County Library System is a center of community life, offering opportunities for people of all ages to learn, know, gather and grow.
The library is a dependable source of reliable information and of challenging ideas that enlighten and enrich, and of materials in many formats that enhance leisure time and expand knowledge. The library encourages the love of reading and the joy of learning, and offers the assistance people need to find, evaluate, and use electronic and print resources that support personal growth and development through lifelong learning; and in finding, evaluating, and using information effectively to help the citizens of Pope County live successful and rewarding lives.
In 1936, the federal Works Progress Administration agreed to build a public library in Russellville, Arkansas, providing land was available. The children of Mrs. Sue Munday Deaton donated the property as long as it was used as a library, and the Talkington family gave the property to the Pope County Library System in 2000. The total cost of the building was $7,000.00 with $1,151.00 spent on furniture.
The library formally opened in October 1937, with Mrs. Lucille Hickman as the first paid librarian. She retired in 1958, and was succeeded by Mrs. Wetzel, the first professional librarian. This building served as the library until 1976 when a larger building was constructed next door. The Donald E. Harkey Addition was opened in 1989. With the recent remodeling, the library has new carpet throughout, a new ceiling in most of the library, and new paint. The Junior Auxiliary recently refurbished the Children's and Young Adult areas.
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