Once a year, for a brief but exciting afternoon, a free literary festival blooms in the gardens of the Crescent Hotel and Spa in Eureka Springs. But the roots of this festival can be found all over our region. The Carroll and Madison Public Library Foundation is the force behind Books in Bloom. Members of the board represent all six libraries in Carroll and Madison counties, and their ultimate aim is to support each of those libraries and the patrons they serve. Together they work throughout the year, providing needed services, training, and equipment that the libraries might not otherwise have. They send out a fall fundraising letter that raises monies needed to fill in any gaps in various library budgets
Offering residents of our region a chance to meet wonderful authors and hear them speak about their work is another of the board members’ efforts to emphasize the value of reading, of imagination and education and entertainment, all the things that books bring to life.
The love of learning can be fostered by reading picture books to a child. It opens the door to a world of rich opportunities and can lead to a life-long love of books. A good book may provide a place of quiet relaxation in a busy world, or introduce excitement and mystery to combat boredom. It builds vocabulary and broadens viewpoints. In a world of sound bites and tweets, reading can offers a deeper understanding to complex issues. Reading can be serious business or just plain fun.
These are among the reasons that Books in Bloom exists. Whether you live in Green Forest, Kingston, Huntsville, St. Paul or Berryville, or anywhere else within driving distance, this is your festival. Please come and enjoy it on Sunday, May 21st from 12 Noon to 5 pm. In case of rain, the festival moves into the lobby and onto the veranda of the Crescent Hotel.
