Tharptown library upgrades finished

RUSSELLVILLE — Principal Brooke Harris said the decision to renovate the Tharptown Elementary School library came out of a desire “to reimagine the space to better support today’s learners.”

Harris said the library now has new flooring, shelving, book displays, and tables for group work.

She said flexible seating options such as floor cushions, a new rug for a readaloud area and a LEGO space support hands-on learning and creative play, both as a group and individually.

School fundraisers, including book fairs, funded the project, along with support from parents and community members.

“Our library was designed many years ago,” Harris said. “It was time. It’s now a space that provides students with a welcoming place to read, explore, and grow.”

Harris said volunteers “generously gave their time and resources” to help complete the work. She said administrators, teachers and coaches donated time and effort to assist with laying floors, assembling furniture, painting and “helping wherever it was needed.”

“A great deal of hard work and dedication went into transforming the space,” she added.

It was school librarian Anna Jeffreys, Harris said, who shared her vision for creating a “refreshed and inspiring space” for the students.

Jeffreys said she believes the renovations will inspire students.

“We hope that with the comfortable seating areas, inviting book displays and dedicated spaces for reading and collaboration, students will want to explore books and develop a stronger interest in reading,” Jeffreys said.