Awardees unveil new donor wall
On Thursday the sixth Heart of the Library Awards was held at the Donald W. Reynolds Library serving Baxter County, to honor it’s donors and those who have gone above and beyond to serve the local library.
Following the wine and cheese reception the over 100 guests gathered in the Knox Community room as Library Director Kim Crow Sheaner shared that it generous donors, the library foundation and the hard working volunteers have been busy continuing to bring new growth to the facility.
An updated donor wall was unveiled for the year showing all those who had made contributions and the various levels of giving. It was noted that every year the font gets smaller on the wall due to the amount of names that must be added.
Attendees shared a Happy Birthday to Jeannie Alley
Crow Sheaner then awarded the Heart of the Library Award to Jeannie Alley, a well loved figure known for her appearances at the piano at Baxter Health, First United Methodist Church and many local events. Alley’s father, who served as a Mountain Home city council man in the 1940s, was instrumental in the forming of the first county library on the second floor of the then newly built fire station on Baker Street.
The Director also pointed out a little known fact about Alley – she funds the donation of a book to every newborn at Baxter Health nearly 800 per year. “I love that you refer to our community as a fairy tale community. Its special because your are in it working your magic,” Crow Sheaner said of Alley. A rousing rendition of ‘Happy Birthday’ was sung to honor Alley’s birthday this week.
Jeannie Alley spoke to KTLO News following the ceremony about what the honor meant to her and to see her parents name’s on the donor wall.
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Carol Landrum receives award for her role in bringing library to life
The Distinguished Service Award was presented to Carol Landrum who served on the foundation from 1999-2018 and continues to this day to serve on the advisory board. During her time as chairman she spearheaded the effort to build the current library including the untold hours of work to secure the Reynolds Grant. Crow Sheaner spoke of her fearless and ability to ask tough questions while also being encouraging, caring and compassionate.
Dr. Knox congratulates Landrum
For Landrum having been a part of bringing the vision of the library to life is what means so much to her.
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Co Owners Chris Gordan, Kyle Swallow and Russell Tucker accepting awards for Rapps
Rapps Barren Brewing Company was honored with the first Excellence in Community Engagement Award for their popular Ales and Tales series. Every second Tuesday of the month a gathering at the brewery features the reading of a featured book with a portion of all sales going to support the library foundation.
Russell Tucker stated that the award was truly a community award as their support is what makes it possible for Rapps to give back and be part of the community, a sentiment that Chris Gordan also shared.
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Over $500,000 was raised this year by the foundation to support the many on going projects at the library and to ensure it continues to be an example of the enduring vision and future of the local community.
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