Special Interest - Newton County Library

The existing water tank was the second one built by Gould Jones. The original tank provided water for the local tomato cannery, the only factory ever operated in Jasper. In 1946, Mr. Gould replaced the original tank with a larger one constructed of concrete and brick. This new tank provided public water to the town of Jasper. This was the first public water system in Jasper. It remained in operation until 1952.

"Gould Jones could do anything with steel, a fork and an anvil," according to Guy Bennett who worked for Gould Jones and later became the Newton County Sheriff (1959 -65). He said that Jones "figured how to make the top of the Reservoir rounded, when everyone told him he couldn't do it, that he'd have to settle for a flat roof." Mr. Bennett also said the pump Jones built for the Water Tank was a "one-Iunger, cylinder type." Gould Jones was known locally as a "maverick builder" who built several unique rockwork buildings in Jasper that still exist today.

After 1952, when State Highway 7 was finally paved south to Pelsor, water was provided to Jasper residents by the Arkansas Soil & Water Conservation program from other sources, but the water tank remained a local landmark and symbol of mountaineering ingenuity.

In 1995, the property on which the water tank is located was provided for the Newton County Library. The property also contained the old County Garage that was transformed by many local volunteers into the current library. The reservoir was conceived as a "Reservoir of Goodwill". The structure was also designated as a storage building for library landscaping and maintenance equipment.

In 1998, the water tank was placed on the National Register of Historic Places

GIVE A SPECIAL BEQUEST
TO THE LIBRARY

There are many types of gifts that one may give to the library including a gift to honor or remember someone you love.

This may be in the form of a Memorial Gift to the library in lieu of flowers at the funeral of a loved one.

You may wish to create a Living Memorial to celebrate a loved ones birthday or anniversary.

Gifts made to the library help pay for major improvements such as construction of a children's room or landscaping. Giving a major gift to the library can be an extremely gratifying way to honor or remember someone you love. Come talk with us about our needs, and ideas you may have to share with us.

DONATE TO A LIBRARY
ENDOWMENT FUND

Money can be invested in federally insured deposits. The income produced is spent at the discretion of the county board of Directors, primarily for book purchases.

The more this fund grows, the more secure the future of the library will be. For example, a $5,000 gift to this fund could generate $300 in income for the library every year. This really is a gift that keeps on giving.

IN YOUR WILL

The library can accept gift in kind, such as stocks, bonds, real estate as well as "life estate" and cash bequests.

Detailed information about the various ways in which major gifts can be made to the library or to the Friends of the Library for the benefit of the Newton County Library is available from your attorney.

JOIN THE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

The Friends meet at 12:00 noon, the second Monday each month or as announced in the Newton County Times. During these meetings, they plan events such as fund raising booths at community activities, dinners with silent auctions, great musical benefits, famous guest programs, and summer children's events.

The Friends is an organization that works for the good of the library and to promote reading and learning in the County. They elect their own officers and work with the Newton County Library Board, which administers this public library.

Membership in the Friends is renewed annually and ranges from $5.00 per individual to $10.00 for a family to the lifetime membership of $100.

VOLUNTEER

The gift of time is one that is gratefully accepted at the library. Volunteers help the staff shelve books and can practice various skills.

Spend some time in one of the nicest buildings in Jasper, our Newton County Library. Work with some of the friendliest people, our staff. See a librarian for more information.

HOW THE LIBRARY
IS FUNDED

The Newton County Library receives one mill of county taxes. The library also receives some state aide, but this funding has been recently cut and is unstable. This minimal funding must be stretched to meet all of our operating expenses: utilities, insurance, purchase and maintenance of equipment and the salaries of two employees. These costs leave very little money for the purchase of books, audiotapes, and magazines that our patrons enjoy and have come to expect.

Providing up-to-date services for the many people who use the library is a difficult and expensive proposition, but one that we feel is worth the effort. If the library is to continue to thrive and avoid cutbacks in services, we need your support.

All donations to the library are tax-deductible.