Thorup triumphs

FAYETTEVILLE — Lots of towns across America's plains and prairies are home to public libraries that, in turn, operate on small budgetsand realistic expectations. Many of those places probably aren't seen as being among the "hot spots" of community involvement, and it's very likely that they don't come equipped with coffee shops and parking garages.

By comparison, there's nothing average about the Fayetteville Public Library. (Just last year the library's budget was in the $1.58 million range, hardly ordinary in most towns our size.) Nearly five years after it first opened to the public, our town is still busting with pride that one of the great book repositories in the country resides on Mountain Street - just a few blocks from City Hall, Dickson Street and the University of Arkansas.

In electing to build this unique, red-brick testament to gaining power through knowledge, citizens here made a courageous statement about priorities. This and future generations are the beneficiaries.

Now comes news of the first library leadership change since it moved into its stately digs. On Monday the library's board of trustees elevated Operations Director Shawna Thorup to become executive director. This key changing of the guard is effective Oct. 31.

We are pleased the library's board of trustees determined that the woman groomed by Executive Director Louise Schaper to succeed her is the right person for the job of leading the library into the future. After multiple meetings to discuss the three finalists, the trustees reached unanimity in Thorup's selection. The Fayetteville Public Library has a great history of innovation, of working well within its resources and of promoting the wonders of knowledge in ways only a library can.

With all that in mind, we are hopeful that Thorup's appointment will be a continuation of the great things that have been happening with her help over the last several years.We look forward to seeing the library's stature as one of Fayetteville's great institutions grow for years to come.