In 2019, the American Library Association announced that it was adding sustainability as a core value of librarianship. That inspired new Eureka Springs Carnegie Public Library Director April Griffith to set a course for the library along these lines.
“Library staff has been examining how we can make changes in our day-to-day processes that help the library become more sustainable and reduce our environmental footprint,” Griffith said. “We’re also working on planning programs for the public that focus on community-driven sustainability efforts, such as a seed library and a ‘repair café’ program where skilled volunteers can help others repair broken household items or mend clothing.”
When people think about libraries, they naturally think about books.
“But the true secret behind any good library are its people, and we have great people,” Griffith said. “We have a fantastic team of librarians, a passionate board of trustees, generously dedicated volunteers, and we’re privileged to serve a wonderfully supportive community.”
Former Director Loretta Crenshaw said she could not be more pleased with the choice of April as new director.
“I’ve been watching her grow and take on responsibilities and projects over the past seven years, and her vision, enthusiasm and commitment to library services is admirable,” Crenshaw said. “I can’t wait to see where she will take our beloved library.”
Lucilla Garrett, president of the board of directors, echoed that the library is fortunate to have Griffith.
“Having already worked at the library for seven years, she is a familiar, welcoming face to the community,” Garrett said. “Being in charge of Raising A Reader, she has worked with young children at all our schools. In addition, she wrote and received the NASA@MyLibrary grant that enhances STEM programming for all ages.”
Garrett said having earned a master’s degree in Library Science from Clarion University in Pennsylvania, Griffith brings knowledge and experience to her new position.
“On a personal note, many area residents will recall that her grandmother-in-law, Jane Griffith, worked at the library for many years,” Garrett said. “The Carnegie board is always working to expand and grow the services that the library can provide for patrons, and its members are delighted that April will be the one to pursue this.”
Griffith grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She started off as an art history major, but midway through her undergraduate degree changed her major to Industrial Design and transferred to the Art Institute of Colorado. That is where she and her husband, Dustin Griffith (who was born and raised in Eureka Springs) and was also majoring in industrial design at AIC, met.
“Shortly before graduating with my BA, I knew that I didn’t want to work in industrial design,” she said. “I went to school wanting to do green, sustainable, design, but when I graduated in 2009, there just weren’t many jobs available that fit that description, and perhaps only one firm dedicated to that niche.
“The jobs for industrial design centered heavily on product design, a key component of which is planned obsolescence, which just goes against my whole ethos as a person. So, I had to rethink what I wanted to do. When I reflected upon what I really enjoyed about art history and industrial design, I realized that I had a passion for research, so the next logical step was to become a librarian. Soon after, I enrolled in the Masters of Library Science program at Clarion, and finished my degree in 2012.”
Recently the library purchased a building next to the library annex and media room on Spring Street. The intention is to rent out what has been named the Gardens Building until the building purchase is paid for, and then the space will be dedicated to library programs. Griffith said the timeline is very much dependent on how quickly renovations can be completed, which in turn depends on many different factors. Work on pouring a new concrete floor downstairs is currently underway, and they are hoping to rent the space out as soon as they can, probably sometime in 2020.
Griffith said the best part about being a librarian is helping people.
“On a daily basis I get to help people find information or stories that will make their life easier, or better, or maybe even inspire them,” she said. “There is an abundance of wonders in our world. My goal is to plant the seeds of curiosity that will lead to them.”
Griffith loves to read, and doesn’t stick to one genre. She prefers to read non-fiction in the morning (she has been reading a lot of naturalist memoirs lately) and fiction before she goes to sleep.
“There’s a stack of novels on my nightstand right now,” Griffith said. “I read a ton of picture books because I have a young son, Tobe, and do story times at the library several times a week, but I’ve also been a volunteer reader for the annual Arkansas teen book award selection committee. I listen to audiobooks whenever I am driving. If my son is in the car, I’ll switch it out to a junior audio title, though I enjoy listening to those just as much. If I had to choose a genre, it might be science fiction/fantasy, just because there are so many excellent authors and almost every story is different and transports you to a place quite unlike anywhere here on Earth.”