Campaign Seeks To Build Bentonville Library’s Collection

BENTONVILLE — The Bentonville Public Library Foundation is about three-quarters of the way toward its $12,000 goal for its annual holiday giving campaign, a foundation official said.

All donations go directly to the library and will be used to grow the library’s collections. Donors may direct their money to specific areas, ranging from children’s picture books to self-help books. Donations of all sizes are welcome.

“We had a patron visit last year who said, ‘This is all I’ve got.’ It was just $10,” said Brenda Compton, foundation development director. “But you know what, it was $10, and that $10 went to purchasing a book.”

At A Glance

How To Donate

Those interested in contributing to the Bentonville Public Library Foundation’s campaign may pick up a donation card at the library, 405 S. Main St. Online donations may be made at www.BentonvilleLibraryFoundation.org. Call 479-936-6924 for more information.

Source: Staff Report

The title of this year’s holiday giving campaign is “Get on Board with the Library.” It officially runs through Dec. 31, though the foundation will accept donations after that as well. Donations are tax-deductible. Compton said the foundation has received at least 20 donations totaling about $9,000.

Compton and Tim Summers, a former state legislator and longtime Bentonville resident, are leading the campaign.

Summers said he has been a regular visitor at the library for decades and that he reads about one book per week. He grew up reading the Hardy Boys mystery series and has been an avid reader ever since.

He wants people to visit the library even if they don’t give to the campaign.

“It’s such a great resource,” he said. “I want to support the campaign, but I also want to support people using the library.”

The foundation owns the library property at 405 S. Main St. The city operates and maintains the library.

The city has budgeted about $1.25 million for the library’s operation in 2014. The majority of that amount — about $796,000 — is earmarked for salaries and benefits. Another $241,000 is set aside for supplies and materials.

“It’s our job as a foundation to raise significant funding to assist the library with other needs that come up,” Compton said.

This year’s campaign comes with a new wrinkle. All donors who give their permission will have their names listed on a “panel of appreciation” that will be installed on the wall next to the book drop. The panel will be changed annually to reflect each new set of donors.

“We want to honor those who give back to the library and this is a great way to show community support,” Compton said.

The campaign kicked off in October with the announcement of an anonymous $5,000 donation, which was designated for the library’s large-print collection. Since then the foundation has collected about $4,000.

Sen. Bart Hester, R-Cave Springs, joined other officials for the campaign kickoff at Summers’ request. The two men got well acquainted during their battle for the Republican nomination for state Senate last year.

Hester said his family visits the library frequently.

“I have four little children, and they go on a regular basis,” Hester said. “I think the library is very important. It’s part of the community and something that makes Bentonville and downtown Bentonville special. It’s a place kids can go be safe and enjoy themselves.”

Compton said she just finished sending out more than 550 holiday cards to people and organizations requesting donations. She’s also speaking about it to as many groups as she can.

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