Forrest City Library

Description

The Forrest City Public Library was established in 1921 when a group of local women, known as the Community Service Circle, gathered together a total of five hundred donated books. These women found support through the Forrest City Elks Club, whose members offered a storeroom in their clubhouse to amass the books. The ladies were allowed to lend books on the condition that they keep the "library" open six days a week, so that bathroom facilities could be maintained for rural women during their trips to town. A small tea was served daily, and for twenty-five cents, you could purchase tea and sandwich or a slice of cake. This first library was forced to close after a couple of years due to a lack of funding. The library opened again in 1927, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Sam Mann (pictured), a prominent local judge and attorney. Mr. Mann offered a donation of five hundred dollars per year for five years to purchase new books, but only if the city would pay a librarian and utilities. At this time, the community residents were asked to pay a yearly subscription fee of eight dollars to help cover expenses. These stipulations were met, the Elks Club again offered their storeroom, and the library opened under the direction of Miss Louise Turley.

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