Longtime Berryville resident and Berryville Library Supporter Wayne Clark recently pledged $50,000 toward the Berryville Library Building Project. In a recent meeting with library leadership, Clark stated that he and his late wife, Janet, have always been strong supporters of the library, but Clark felt his family could do more to see this project become a reality for Berryville.  According to Clark, “I’d been seeing all the publicity and energy being given to building this new library. God has blessed my family over the years, and I felt the Clark family could do more to see this project become a reality that will serve many generations to come.  A library is an important asset to the community as it serves everyone.”

Wayne and his late wife Janet have both come from families with deep roots in our community. Wayne is a fifth generation native to Carroll County, recounting that his great-great grandfather Thomas Clark was the first Carroll County Sheriff in 1832.  Janet is the daughter of Digby and Edith West and was a fifth generation native. Wayne served as the CEO at FNBNA for many years and served as chairman of the board for 22 years and also served as President of the Arkansas Bankers Association. Wayne was especially fond of his many years of service as a member of the Berryville Rotary Club and has always taken a special interest in making the community a better place to live, work, and play.

Joe Scott, Berryville Library Advisory Board President showed appreciation to Wayne Clark for the many contributions his family has made to the community over the years.  “On behalf of the entire library and Friends Board, along with the many Friends of the Library, we are ever so grateful for this gift which puts us at 32% of our fundraising goal”.  

The library kicked off a $2.5M building project in April 2021 to construct an expanded library.  Since tax dollars are prohibited from being used for construction, the project will require private, corporate, and grant funding.  The goal is to raise the needed funds by the year 2025 or before. The new library will be built at 207 Springfield Street on land donated by the City of Berryville. It will be located across from the Berryville City Pool at the intersection of Branch and Basore Streets.  

If you are interested in making a donation or pledge to the Berryville Library Building Project, or you’re just interested in learning more about giving and naming opportunities, email [email protected] or call or stop by the library at 104 Spring Street.  Phone: (870) 423-2323     

Shown Left to Right:  Kristy Noble, Berryville Library PR Coordinator; Wayne Clark; Julie Hall, Library Director; and Joe Scott, President of the Berryville Library Advisory Board