The fundraising campaign dedicated to the construction of new library in Berryville received a significant boost recently in the form of a $50,000 donation from the Arvest Foundation.
The gift was announced recently and presented to Friends of the Berryville Library, the library’s fundraising arm. Friends of the Berryville Library kicked off a $2.5 million building campaign on April 1, with the aim to build a new and expanded facility by 2025 or sooner.
“On behalf of all of the friends and patrons of the Berryville Library, we genuinely thank the Arvest Foundation for this generous investment in the future of this community,” Friends of Berryville Library president Mary Knight said. “Once our new library is built, it will serve generations to come.”
The proposed new library would be 10,000 SF, more than triple the size of the current facility. It will be located at 207 Springfield St. on land donated by the City of Berryville. The land also will feature a parking lot and ample green space.
“We are so fortunate and appreciative to have great community partners like the Arvest Foundation,” said Joe Scott, president of the Berryville Library Advisory Board. “This grant really demonstrates the foundation’s commitment to our community.”
In addition to the expansion in overall size, the new library will feature more space for dedicated areas for children, teens and adults, along with spaces for individual study, meeting rooms and more comfortable seating, all in a safe and welcoming atmosphere.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to present this gift on behalf of the Arvest Foundation,” said Jodi Hopper, community bank president for Arvest in Berryville. “Libraries can be of particular benefit to the young people in our community and we all know those young people represent our future. This gift is really an investment in the future of Berryville and our surrounding areas, and we trust it reflects our dedication to making our region a better place to live, work and play.”
About the Arvest Foundation
The Arvest Foundation seeks to provide funding to grantees who are actively working to create positive change for others. Major areas of focus include: K-12 education, economic development, and enhancing the quality of life throughout the Arvest footprint. More information is available here.
