Arkansas County Library / Stuttgart Public Library

Library History

Stuttgart Public Library

100 Years

Mrs. Paul Millar, secretary of the Library Board, wrote this story of the Stuttgart Public Library’s first 50 yrs. Mrs. Millar compiled this information in commemoration of the library’s 52^nd birthday.

The Stuttgart Public Library is celebrating its 100 years on the Grand Prairie. The length of this history is a tribute to the power of women, singly and collectively, to do what appears to be impossible in pursuing a dream.

Birth of an Idea:

The idea of a city library was born in a meeting of the Stuttgart Woman’s Club some six years after Mrs. Maude Bethell Lewis organized it in 1912 as a study club. Mrs. J. C. McCuskey, a charter member of the club, related this information.

Search begins for a library room:

The first recording secretary’s notebook that has been found gives the minutes of meetings from 1919 through 1923. Mrs. H. E. Williamson was secretary. The first entry pertaining to the library in this hand-written book indicates that this subject had been discussed before and is dated March 31, 1920. “Mrs. Bovay suggested that we ask for a room for a library in the new court house. Mrs. Bovay was appointed chairman to see members to the council.” The committee wasted no time and they duly reported to the club on April 14. “Mrs. Bovay made a report for the library committee. The new court house is a county building and Judge Wilcox assured the ladies that they should have little trouble in obtaining a library room. There was liable to be a little delay in construction due to the present cost and scarcity of materials.”

First Fund Raising Project:

During the spring of 1921, the ladies presented a play, “How the Story Grew”, at the Opera House on Main. It was the first moneymaking project specifically for the purpose of funding the library, and according to Mrs. McCuskey, it raised over $200.00, a very large sum at that time. It had a cast of eight, five scenes indicating a change of sets for each one, and other entertainment as well, both before the play and during intermission. Mrs. McCuskey, who was one of the actresses, has a perfectly preserved copy of the program.

John Cain circa 1920

Flora Jean Brain Librarian 1930

Stuttgart Public Library inside the Legion Building. Moving to the new Library on 4th & Grand.

Attempt to Secure Carnegie Grant:

       On April 6, 1921, the Journal reports, “Mrs. Kenny, at the request of the president, told how the funds were secured for a Carnegie Library at Tuscola, Illinois. Also Mrs. Daniels gave a similar report of the library at Jennings, Louisiana.” Mrs. McCuskey noted that further inquiries were made into the possibility of obtaining a Carnegie grant but that it was necessary to have a specified number of books and an operating library before they could be considered. By the time this qualification was met, the grants were no longer available.

Room Found for the Library:

       On January 25, 1922 it was reported “Committee who were to secure a room for the library reported that a room which the M.E. Church South had fitted up as a S.S. room in the Court House had been offered to us for that purpose. A motion passed to accept with thanks.” On that same meeting day the project began in earnest: “Committee appointed to look for shelving which might be ready made for someone, or if none such were to be had inquire about prices of lumber, etc. Mrs. Drummond and Mrs. Robert Morehead were appointed. Mrs. Bovay asked to inquire about files and other helps we might need.”

A Shower of Books:

       Having secured a room, and being in the process of obtaining shelves, files, and incidentals, what the library needed most was books. On February 22, “After some discussion as to the proper place to have the proposed book shower a motion prevailed that it be held in the room where the library was to be located. Also motion to have this shower Monday, March 6 and serve sandwiches, tea, and coffee, unanimously passed. Each club member to furnish 1 dozen sandwiches.” Mrs. McCuskey recalls that the book shower was a great success, many people arriving with armloads of books. She also noted with a smile that although not too many of the books were of great value to the library they did begin to fill up the shelves. When asked to describe this first library, Mrs. McCuskey said it was a small room on the second floor of the then new Court House building, which was torn down when the old Julia Shannon School was built. It was on the north end of the building, hot in summer and cold in winter.

More than Books Donated:

     In the minutes of March 8, “Motion to give a vote of thanks to the Arkmo Lumber Co. and Mr. Sanger for the lumber donated for the shelves and Mr. Rhodes for making same.”

First Purchase of New Books:

       On April 15, “Motion passed to allow book committee to spend $100.00 for new copy-righted fiction and juvenile books.” On May 13, the ladies realized that they needed professional help. “Motion to write to Miss Praul, Librarian at Little Rock, asking her to send her assistant here for a day or so to help us catalogue the books. We are to pay car fare and furnish entertainment for her.”

First Library Board Appointed:

       On June 13, “A motion carried asking the president to appoint a Library Board of seven members who shall have charge of the management of the library for the next year. The following were appointed. Mesdames M.M. Culpepper, J.P. Walz, H.E. Bovay, Sternberg, H.E. Meek. Earl Rhodes, and Robt. Morehead.”

Library Opening Set:

       At a called meeting at the library on June 20, 1922, “It was decided to open the library to the public Tuesday afternoon June 27 with Mrs. P.B. Adams and Mrs. H. E. Bovay in charge. Mesdames J.A. Kenny, Drummond, M.M. Culpepper, and Bovay volunteered to distribute membership cards for the library at Crowe’s Drug Store Saturday afternoon and evening June 24.”

Rules Set For Volunteer Librarians:

       After its first summer of operation, on September 13, 1922, “Mrs. Culpepper gave a very encouraging report of the Library Board and suggested several rules that should be adopted in the management of the library. A motion was carried making it necessary for members to serve as librarians in alphabetical order excepting the board members who are to fill in unavoidable vacancies. A fine of fifty cents for non-performance of duty to be levied and this money to be added to the library fund for the purchase of supplies.”

Financial Strain Begins:

       On October 4, 1922, “A motion carried instructing the treasurer to sell the second Liberty Bond in order to meet the second payment of $42 on the set of encyclopedias which we gave to the library.” And the next month on November 13, “After much discussion it was decided to hold a bake sale on November 29, the day before Thanksgiving. The proceeds to go to the Public Library which is badly in need of funds.”

Funds Low and Winter Coming:

       Also at the November meeting, “Mrs. M.C. Burns and Freudenberg were appointed to secure us a load of wood for the library by an honorable means at their command besides paying cash for it.” At the next meeting on November 29, “Mrs. Burns reported that Mr. Vint Holmes had donated a load of wood to the library.” These early club members seem to have had a real talent for securing donations when the situation became desperate. On December 13, it was noted, “A motion carried allowing a salary of $1.50 per month to the janitor at the library for building fires twice a week.”

Volunteers Urged to be More Careful:

       After about six months of operation of the library, on January 24, 1923, “Mrs. Culpepper announced that the books at the library had been placed in order and that there had been many mistakes in issuing and receiving books. Many books appeared to be overdue. She urged that the members be more careful.”

Library Obtains Sign:

       At the same meeting, “A motion carried to have an inexpensive sign made to be placed on the door of the library.” On March 7, 1923, “Mrs. Harper reported that the sign for the library had been furnished and was ready to place, the most interesting thing about it being that it cost nothing, the labor and material having been donated.”

Library Help Hired:

       On April 4, 1923, “A motion carried to hire a girl through the summer to care for the library, paying her $5.00 a month. At the next meeting on April 18, it was reported, “After investigating it was found that we would have to pay $6.00 a month for a girl to care for the library during the summer. A motion carried allowing $6.00 to a girl and an assessment to cover the amount.

Last Library Note in Record Book:

       The last note in the yellowed and musty-smelling old record book regarding the library is dated May 28, 1923 and typically, it is in reference to funding. “Mrs. McCuskey, the president, presided, and during the business meeting it was decided to hold a bake sale June 9 for the benefit of the Public Library.”

First Receipt of Public Money:

       The first payment of public money was on April 17, 1924 when Treasurer of the Library Board, Mrs. C.J. Brain recorded as the first entry in her ledger the receipt of $50.00 from the City Council. This generosity was repeated on August 5 and November 19, undoubtedly prompted by subtle suggestions by the ladies. Disbursements during 1924 include payment to Louise Buerkle, Librarian, a check for $8.25.

Members of the Building Committee dedicate plaque honoring Mr. Carrie Pettit who was the first trustee of the John Cain Estate: C.B. Ragsdale, Mrs. W.G.R. Hampton, Jr., Mrs. Paul McCoy, Jr., and Mayor John Bueker. circa 1954

Mrs. Carrie Pettit circa 1938

Future Library Site January 28^th 1994

Sookie McCoy Begins Her Long Service:

       On April 4, 1925, Sophia Vos was paid $6.95, presumably for a month of work tending the library. This was not the beginning of Sookie’s association with the library, however, as she recalls taking “Aunt Stella’s (Mrs. C.J. Brain) place when it became her turn to be librarian and she couldn’t go. For this service, her aunt paid her 50 cents for an afternoon of work while she was still in high school. Thus, Mrs. Paul McCoy’s love affair with the library began in 1922 or 1923. She has served in every capacity as librarian, cataloger, janitor, book mender, custodian of overflow books, donor of books, Board member, and inspiration to all who have worked with her.

The First Move:

       The books were moved from the old Court House to the old Rhodes building on Main Street on May 5, 1925. Presumably, this was donated space as there is no rent entry in the ledger. Another library move took place in 1943 when the books were taken to a downstairs room in the American Legion building. This was to be the Library’s home until 1962. Dr. H.S. Neel was Mayor at the time and also was the local commander of the American Legion. In these two official positions, he was able to provide the ladies with a room for their library, and probably encouraged the City Council to make its donations. Mrs. H.S. Neel was a member of the library board for many years, retiring from if in 1962 when the new library was opened. Her job was ordering all the books added to the library shelves.

Written by Mrs. Paul Millar

(Some corrections/edits made by Clara Timmerman.)

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    The next 50 years were just as exciting, thanks in part to the incredible people who loved and dedicated their lives to the betterment of the library and community as a whole. The library remained in the American Legion Building from 1943 until Sep. of 1962 when it moved to the Fourth & Grand location where a library was built. Mrs. Sylvia Mills was the Librarian from 1962 – 1987, and she oversaw much growth and a tax for a stable revenue. She also set the stage for the library to receive state aid. This comes from a program from the State Library and is still used to this day.

Mr. Ted Campbell, Librarian and Director from 1987 – 2015, put the library on a path to new greatness and not only expanded the library but also in its reach throughout the county.

The Ray and Lucille Johnson Memorial Foundation was established in 1993 and the library made part of its philanthropy.

Librarian Mr. Ted Campbell 1989

Library Director Ted Campbell with Shirley Stephens Friends of the Library President stands behind Mrs. Rosemond McCuskey founding member of the Stuttgart Woman’s Club that founded the library in 1922. Celebrating the 70^th Anniversary of the Library.

Ground Breaking 2013 New Children’s Wing

Library volunteers are the backbone of the library

Library expansion 2013

Clara Dobson and Alex McCoy – New Circulation desk 2013

Alexandra McCoy the daughter of Sookie McCoy who both spent their lives dedicated to the library.

Children’s wing under construction 2013

Mr. Campbell saw the library through much success and triumph. His 28 years of dedicated service that not only kept him busy but also his loving and brilliant wife, Audrey Campbell. In 1994 he saw the library move and grow from its previous home on 4th & Grand to its new home where it is currently at 2002 S. Buerkle. It continued to grow and serve more and more patrons. He expanded training and was a valiant activist for literacy throughout the county. The tornado that brought enormous destruction to Stuttgart in May 2008 also brought it to the library. Mr. Campbell and his tireless staff brought it back and then some. A Bookmobile, used while the library was under reconstruction was closed and the library was reopened to the public on Feb 10^th, 2009.  He built a children’s wing that was completed in May of 2014 that opened up more space and more opportunities for youth.

Librarian Anna Bates was Asst. Director under Mr. Campbell from 2007 – 2015 and was Director from 2015 – 2018. She devoted herself to the library and helped with the reconstruction after the tornado. The efforts to the children’s wing and the last expansion as Director brought the new meeting room into existence with grit and perseverance through many obstacles to see it through. She also implemented the library’s automation system, website and digital access during her tenure.

Donovan Mays was Director of the Library 2018 – 2020. He was instrumental in getting the library through the first part of the pandemic. Long before he came here to be director, he was involved in helping to move the library into the 21^st century.  With his help, we were able to streamline finances and bring more technology to the library.

We are very grateful to all our wonderful leaders, our founders, volunteers and patrons who have brought us this wonderful library. We hope to make you proud for the next 100 years!

Story Time 2018

Ronald McDonald 2018

Magazine Cover 2014

Summer Reading 2019

Wedo robotics class 2016

New Meeting Room Dedication July 25^th 2018

Dec. 2019 Storytime

July 1^st 2019

Summer Reading 2019

Pandemic 2020 with Consultant Allie Stevens, Asst. Director Clara Timmerman, Library Manager, Estella Dudman, and Library Clerk Ivory Phillips.

The Library

We help everyone who comes in the Library. We show everyone respect and kindness.

The Library has books, we have many books and we can find you the perfect book for whatever mood you are in. We are very good at that.

 What you may not be aware of are the other things we do at the Library.

We have newspapers, the Arkansas Gazette, and The DeWitt Era Enterprise.  People come to the Library everyday just to read the paper.

We have tax forms and information pertaining to tax questions.

The Library is a community center. We seek to help people find answers to questions or problems they have.  We are a service.

We help people do online applications and resumes. We help people learn how to use a computer for whatever you need to do. That is not counting the regular help people need on the computer. 

Some children come to the Library during the summer and they will watch movies on the computer. We have the movies and they will pick one out and watch it.

We can help, send a fax, copy or email documents. We help people register for college, and register to vote. In addition, people do use the Library to take online classes. We help find assistance programs and where you can get the help you need for whatever situation you find yourself.

Some of the questions that we get are… difficult.

The Doctor just told me my child has cancer. Here, he wrote the word down for me.

I need to know what will happen to my children if they deport me.

Can you fill out this paper? The Dr. sent it to me and my glasses broke.

How do I send money to my son in prison? 

The patrons we serve trust us. We take this trust that we are given, very seriously.

At the Library, we are surrounded by information. There is a lot of information we can access. We do not say the words “I don’t know” at the Library. We say, I’ll find out for you.