Piggott Library

Our society today has definitely made great and obvious changes. Had not there been internet and any cyber technology for communication, none of the websites we know today nor have blogs existed. Yet, here we all are, enjoying the perfect though still full of imperfection, world of the cyber age. Can you imagine life today without it? Probably, things would not be as fast as how they are now. Even internet marketing would not have expanded to how it is today if it were not for the good stuff that both users and makers always wanted. A perfect system will always have imperfection and impurities, and so, that is how society is today and will be much like to how the internet system has been and is going to be as well.

1. An Interlibrary Loans service is provided for materials that the library does not have available.
2. Books with current copyright (including current best sellers), referecne, or rare books  are usually not available.
3. Ill books are check out for a limited time time with no renewals.
4. Patrons must have a valid library card to participate in the Ill service.
5. No fee will be charge for Ill within the Regional system.
6. A $1.00 handling fee will be charged for Ill through other systems (State Library).

1. Must sign in at desk
2. One hour usage time from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. One-half hour usage from 3 p.m. to close.
3. Computers may be reserved one day in advance.
4. NO CHAT ROOMS
5. NO PORNOGRAPHY
6. All children 11 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
7. Children 12 years to16 years must have a written permission slip signed by parent or guardian in order to use the internet. This will be kept on file in the library.
8. All copies are $0.25 a page.

* A copy of the Clay County Policy Manual are on file in the Piggott Library Office.

ADULT CARD
You Must Have:
1. Some form of identification.
(Driver’s License, Picture ID, etc.)
2. An article of mail to verify your current address.
(gas or water bill, etc.)
3. You must provide a reference person.
(A person who does not live in your home but would know how to get in touch with you. Need name and phone number of this person.)
4. The first time you use your card, you will be allowed five (5) pieces of materials.

CHILD’S CARD
You Must Have:
1. The child must be 5 years old.
(can write first & last name)
2. You need to show proof of current address.
3. A parent or legal guardian must sign for the child to accept responsibility.
4. You must provide a reference person.
5. The first time you use your card you will be allowed five (5) pieces of material.

OUT-OF-STATE or REGIONAL
You Must Have:
1. Must provide all the information as an adult or child’s card application.
(see above instructions)
2. Will be charged a $5.00 fee for 1 year application per family.
* Clay County residence’s first card is free.
* A $2.00 fee will be charged for a replacement card.
* Cards will be renewed by computer upon expiration date.

** A copy of the Clay County Policy Manual is on file in the Piggott Library Office.

1. Patrons must have a current library card to check out materials.

2. Materials are checked out for a two week period, with a two week renewal made in person or by phone.  Materials are overdue at the end of the renewal period.  If patrons owe fines, they may not check out other materials until fine is paid.  The fine is five cents($.05) per item per day with a maximum of $5.00 (five dollars).

3. First time borrowers are limited to a total of five materials.

4. Non-regional or out-of-state residents will be reguire to pay a charge of $5.00 each year.

5. Patrons will pay the current replacement cost of the material plus a processing charge for lost or damaged materials.

6. An Outside Book Return is provided after hours or holidays.

7. A/V materials (cassettes, videos, etc.) should not be put in the outside book return.  These materials areeasily damaged by heat and cold.

8. Copies are $.25 per page on the photocopier or computer.

9. A maximum of 30 materials can be checked out at one time.  With the following limits:

Cassettes: four per person
Videos:  four per person
Magazines:  twelve per person
Fiction: four of an author
Non-Fiction:  four of a subject
New Books:  Two per person with one renewal
Reference: Not to be checked out
Genealogy:  Not to be checked out
Microfilm: Not to be checked out.

10. Materials can be reserved.   After receiving notification , the material will be held for one week.  New Books can not be reserved.

Hours:
Monday  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Thursday  9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Friday  9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Closed:
Saturday & Sunday

The library is closed for the following holidays:
New Year’s Day
Martin Luther King Day
President’s Day
Good Friday
July 4th
Memorial Day
Labor Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving day & the following Friday
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
New Year’s Eve

by Marie Hillyer

Piggott residents have enjoyed the privilege of good reading materials, readily available, since the first library opened in 1932.

The present facility was dedicated on Sunday, Dec 9, 1984, and opened to patrons the following day. Ground breaking was held in July of that year; and the library is built on the site of the old ice house and soda manufacturing plant. An interesting and unexplained article was discovered when the footing was being dug. Jerry Green unearthed an old cannon ball.

The present library contains about 5,000 square feet of space and was constructed at a cost of $142,850, with $70,000 raised locally. The remainder was financed by the sale of the old library building, in addition to a federal grant. Don Roeder was chairman of the board. Other members were J.B. Swift, Mrs. Donna Seal, Mrs. Shirley Magee, Mrs. Tica Camp and Dorris Cox.

Piggott has always had citizens who are interested in progress and who want the best for the youth of the town. The first Piggott Library came into existence because the ladies of the Piggott Civic Club saw the need for such a service in the early 1930s.

A productive meeting of the club was held in the home of Mrs. Charles (Lelah) Gilbert at that time. Mrs. Lura Brown offered a room in her house on Third Street (where the Piggott Eye Clinic is now). Work began immediately, and in 1932 the library opened in her home with an impressive 1,652 volumes. Most books were donated and some were bought with donated funds. The library was tended by Mrs. Brown with the help of her three children, Lucille, Gaylon and Frances.

Five years later plans for a brick building (now housing the office of Atty. John Lingle) were begun. Committee members were Dr. J.E. McGuire, Mrs. W.T. Adams, Mrs. J.L. Robertson, Mr. Ralph McNiel, Miss Ella Mowery and Mrs. Lura Brown.

Robert Turner, National Youth Administration supervisor suggested applying for government aid and this was done. Those appointed to the fund raising committee were Mrs. Lura Brown, Miss Ayleene Spence, Karl Pfeiffer, Mrs. R.C Tucker, Mrs. T.W. Leggett, Miss Ora McGhee, Mrs. Earl Conner, Mrs. H.C. Robbins, Mrs. Charles Gilbert and Mrs. E.H. Ballard.

On June 16, 1937, a meeting was held at the office of Miss Ella Mowery. Atty. Arthur Sneed met with them to discuss the making of the deed of the Selma Lentz Morrison property where the library building was to be erected.

The library board of directors were sworn in by Mayor Charles Kelly on June 25, 1937. They were Dr. J.E. McGuire, Mrs. W.T. Adams, Mrs. P.M. Pfeiffer, R.C. Tucker and Mrs. Lura Brown. Dr. McGuire appointed R.C. Tucker and Mrs. Karl Pfeiffer on the building committee.

Forman over the construction was B.B. Cravens. The National Youth Administration furnished most of the labor and part of the material. Funds were raised by the residents in the amount of $1,636 with Mr. and Mrs. Paul M.Pfeiffer giving a matching gift of $818. It is thought the Pfeiffers also paid for lot, but the transaction was not recorded. The building cost was estimated at $4,000.

Grand opening had to be held at the Baptist Church across the street as the crowd was too big for the library building.

Mrs. Brown served as librarian in the new facility until the spring of 1940. Following her resignation, Miss Ruth Gwin became librarian and served until 1965. Miss Gwin was vitally interested in young people. She organized the first Girl Scout troop here in the early 1940s with the girls meeting at the library. Miss Gwin, beloved of all the library patrons, died Aug. 30, 1983, at the age of 85.

Mrs. L.D. Robinson was appointed librarian after Miss Gwin retired in 1965 and served until her death in August of 1981. She was also high school librarian at Piggott from 1960 to 1970.

Her dream for Piggott was a library big enough to accommodate all the books and equipment needed to make the library one of the best in the state.

Mrs. Gay Johnson, present Library Director, began her work here Oct. 5, 1981. She is ably assisted by Sherry Baber, and Ruth Tanner.

The library offers many services including a children’s summer reading program with around 100 participants.