February 11, 2012

The Clark County Library, one of the oldest library buildings in Arkansas, is representative of early efforts to establish libraries in the state. On November 11, 1897, about thirty Arkadelphia (Clark County) women formed the Women’s Library Association with a goal of establishing a public library in Arkadelphia. After the library had occupied several locations, a library building fund was created in 1899. In 1903, a loan was secured and construction of a library building, shown here, began. By 1913, the debt was fully paid.