Is your week booked yet?
A tree’s branches mirror its roots. One could even say the roots are the branches. The recent expansion of all three Carroll County library branches is a testament to the foundation laid in the groundwork of this system.
In December 2024 the Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library acquired the Presbyterian Church on Spring St. across from the library. In April 2025 the Berryville Library broke ground for a new building. In May 2025, the Green Forest Library purchased a building next door to them.
“Peggy Lodewyks was essential in the acquisition of this property,” Green Forest Library Director Jacob Havlin said. “Ultimately the Friends of the Library bought the building.”
Jacob, who has a master’s degree in library information science, said this growth will support the community in a big way by addressing the need for spaces to gather, work and study. He said that many students in the community go to school online, and there are also adults who work remotely. The building will also include more team space and an area for computers. He acknowledged that the renovation would be a process.
“We are evolving,” he said. “We are proud of how unique our diverse little community is, and thankful that people utilize our services. We encourage everybody to come here and use our services. There is something for everybody.” He said that Green Forest has populations of Hispanic, Marshallese and Burmese.
Jacob is launching a campaign called Library Without Walls and will be taking the Green Forest Bookmobile to locations around town. “This is to engage the community where they are, so they don’t have to come to us,” he said.
Green Forest Library has launched its Summer Program, so now every Monday throughout the summer there will be kids’ activities at the three county libraries. “We encourage anybody with kids to come out,” Jacob said.
So how did we get here?
Jean Elderwind started her 30-year run with the ES Carnegie Library in 1981. In 2011, she became sull-time administrator of the Carroll and Madison Library System (CAMALS), a position she held until retirement in 2014. She was instrumental in the formation of the two-county system and succeeded in getting a tax millage passed that has sustained this system.
“Libraries are important to a community because they offer information, recreation, and inspiration to their readers absolutely free,” Jean said. “They offer programs for all ages, free internet, a social center, and quiet reading spaces. What makes our Carnegie Library so important is what happens daily inside the library. The helpful, friendly staff ready to assist, a dynamic collection that reflects the interests of this community, the creative programs that spark creativity, learning, and fun.”
Impactful moments working at the Carnegie Library include the weekly Song and Story Hours, a program for pre-schoolers and their parents/caregivers. “I loved it and loved watching these beautiful children grow into teens and adults,” she said. Song and Story Hours continue every Wednesday, all year ‘round.
Jean filed the paperwork for CAMALS with the Arkansas Secretary of State. “I followed the requirements set down in the Arkansas Code for the formation of a regional public library system. I also petitioned the Arkansas State Library to include us in the state aid program,” she said. CAMALS qualified because of Jean’s master’s degree in library science.
“State aid has greatly helped CAMALS administrative offices in their supportive work for the six libraries in these two counties,” Jean said. She mentioned that it’s looking like the state aid will be cut approximately 10 percent in the next fiscal year, a cause for concern.
Jean worked with the Carroll County Library Board and suggested a millage. “Before the campaign the libraries split a dedicated 1-mill property tax collection,” she said. “We were successful in asking voters to double their dedicated library tax from one mill to two mills in the special election.”
This special election in 2002 had 68 percent taxpayer support and passed in Eureka Springs, Berryville and Green Forest. The millage can only be used for operations and maintenance, not capital improvements. Jean said it allows all three libraries to expand hours, introduce new services, increase book and media acquisitions, and provide expert staffing.
Jean was director of the ES Carnegie Library and administrator of CAMALS at the same time, from 2000 to 2010. In 2011, they were able to split that one position into two full-time positions, and Jean became full-time CAMALS administrator.
“The community showed its appreciation to us daily,” Jean said. “They knew the importance of a strong, public library and they valued ours. It is so commendable that the Berryville Friends and board raised enough funds to break ground on new space. Same with Green Forest. What a model of dedication and drive!”
Books in Bloom, an annual garden party, lasted from 2005-2019. Jean co-founded this event with Lin Wellford. “We did not start it as a fundraiser for the foundation, but as an experience of bringing writers and readers together,” she said.
Books in Bloom provided an opportunity for the public to meet accomplished authors and hear them speak about their work. Aspiring writers learned about various aspects of writing and publishing, and avid readers were introduced to authors working in a variety of genres. It all took place among the blooming May flower gardens at the historic 1886 Crescent Hotel.
This picture is from Chris Fischer’s celebration of life on May 24. The Carnegie Library allowed the event to be changed to the Boulevard Bookend, the new name of the Presbyterian Church on Spring St., due to weather, with little notice. A special thank you to Christiana Danos, director of ES Carnegie Public Library, for opening that building for use, staying the entire day and cleaning up afterwards.