03/24/2025
April 1, 2025, is Library Giving Day. Please make a monetary donation to your local library.
April 6 – 12 is National Library Week to celebrate libraries and their role in communities and transforming lives. The Theme is “ Drawn to the Library”
"Whatever draws you in, the library has something for everyone. Celebrate National Library Week, April 6 - 12, 2025."
Public Libraries serve their community. We provide free access to information, resources that aide in literacy. The needs/desires vary in each community, county and state. What's popular in one library may not be popular in another. I believe that all libraries want to provide services and materials that are helpful to their public. Materials and programs in one community may not be popular in another.
Librarians strive and encourage literacy both reading and digital. We want our community to become better readers and to improve reading and math skills. As we know, better reading/math skills provide greater lifelong opportunities. We endeavor to ensure that materials and aide are available and accessible for the public use.
Services provided by many public libraries include Wi-fi, computers, copying, printing, scanning, faxing, access to legal and tax forms. Some (not all) libraries have additional services such as notary, a genealogy section, microfiche equipment to research archive materials, law books, passport service. Some libraries can provide online services such as eBooks, audiobooks, movies, learn a new language and much more. They are a place where you can relax, do homework, prep work and a place to meet, have programs that are beneficial to the public and at times entertaining. These services are all dependent on property tax, state aide, private donations, grants and fundraisers by the Friends of the Library. Example: Libraries in Little Rock and Faulkner have larger populations the VBC so funding for libraries are greater than smaller counties. Library funds are used to pay staff, utilities, building insurance, maintenance, books and materials, equipment, office supplies, furniture and much more. Limited resources mean limited services. This is not a complaint; it’s just a fact and reality.
We here at the Van Buren County Library are fortunate and blessed to have individuals and local organizations have provided us support over the years, and to them I say a heartfelt “Thank you”. The Van Buren County Library first opened its doors 11 November 1949 in a small room located in the Legions Hut. Our new building will celebrate its 10th year in January 2026.
