The Pope County Library in Russellville is returning to a consistent weekday schedule. Beginning November 7, the library will open at 8:30 am on Thursdays (instead of noon) and will close at 5:30 pm. Going forward, the Pope County Library will be open Monday through Friday from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday hours will remain at 9:00 am to 1:00 pm.

New programming staff members in Russellville: Emilee Whitbeck (Children's Librarian), Aysleth Stutts (Hispanic Services Clerk), and Edna Smith (Teen and Adult Services Librarian) plus Mo Willems Workshop Character--The Pigeon

Lynda Thompson

Children's Programming Clerk

Atkins Centennial Library

Maggie Oliver

Tween & Teen Programming Clerk

Dover Public Library

Celeste Helton

Part-time Clerk

Hector Public Library

Kalon Steinaway

Adult Services Clerk

Pope County Library, Russellville

The Pope County Library System welcomes these new programming staff members in our mission to provide programs and services to Pope County. In Russellville, Ms. Emilee, our new Children's Librarian, is planning a Readers Theater for ages 6--11, while Teen and Adult Services Librarian, Ms. Edna, hosts Tween Library League and has plans for VEX GO and a tween book club. Mrs. Aysleth, our Hispanic Services Clerk, runs a Spanish language program for families on Saturday mornings at 11:00 am and has plans to expand offerings for the Hispanic community. And Ms. Kalon, Adult Services Clerk, will teach basic computer skills as well as host Adult craft programs.

Ms. Lynda will focus on Children's programming in Atkins while

Ms. Maggie hosts Dover's Tween and Teen Clubs, and Ms. Celeste helps host an Adult Craft/Puzzle Club in Hector.

RAGSDALE FAMILY DONATES MEMORIAL BENCH IN HONOR OF DR. EDWARD F. RAGSDALE

The family of Dr. Edward F. Ragsdale donated a custom-made cedar bench to the Pope County Library in honor of their father, whose childhood love of the former Russellville Library (now Heritage Hall) inspired his lifelong love of reading and learning. A plaque attached to the bench reads," Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader." The family hopes other patrons will also be inspired by the library to follow their dreams.

The family concluded the dedication ceremony by donating surveying equipment their grandfather Floyd Ragsdale used when helping to plan and name streets in Russellville.