Friends of the Texarkana Public Library: A Community with Open Books and Open Hearts

by: Michelle Horton

In Texarkana, books are accompanied by a community spirit, decades of devotion, and a determined mission to keep knowledge accessible to everyone. Today, that mission carries the name Friends of the Texarkana Public Library, and its impact is woven into local programs, family memories, and the shelves of the Texarkana Public Library itself.

Before diving into the history and heart behind this volunteer-powered nonprofit, it is worth understanding what motivates the people who keep it thriving.

According to Nancy Price, a board member for the organization, “The mission of The Friends of the Texarkana Public Library is to raise funds for the Texarkana Public Library by operating a bookstore. The proceeds fund programs and other projects selected by the library.” With that simple but powerful mission, this organization has quietly supported literacy, learning, and community connection for over four decades—and its story begins with a passionate group and an ambitious goal.

With warmth and pride, Price explains that the organization started with a handful of passionate advocates. “Around 1980, a group of interested community members formed a group to support the public library,” she says. Their earliest mission was laser-focused: help secure approval for a new library building. Those early volunteers did not just talk about progress—they worked for it. According to Price, they began hosting an annual book sale to raise funds, primarily at Central Mall. From there, the support grew thanks to community contributors like Bobby King, who eventually provided a building for the yearly sale.

Soon, one sale a year was no longer enough to meet the need—or the passion behind the cause. Price explains that in 2006, after longtime library employee Sandra Holmes retired, the board decided to open the bookstore on a monthly basis. That shift marked the beginning of a new era of accessibility, consistency, and community involvement.

Today, the bookstore is not just a fundraiser—it is a gathering place, a sanctuary for book lovers, and a hidden gem for bargain hunters.

The Friends of the Texarkana Public Library Bookstore is situated in Larey Plaza at 2024 N. Stateline Avenue in Texarkana, Arkansas. It is small, volunteer-run, and packed with pages and purpose.

Price shares that the current space is donated to the organization through the generosity of James and Linda Larey. “We have been in this building three years,” she says, also noting that the previous location downtown was also donated—proof that partnership has always been part of their DNA.

Inside the bookstore, visitors not only find rows of gently used books but also a dose of local culture. Price explains, “Linda Larey also has an Art Gallery inside the building, where she displays her beautiful watercolors.” The store operates twice a month, with seasonal schedule adjustments. “People can shop at the store on the second and fourth Friday and Saturday, January through October, from 10am until 2pm. In November and December, we are only open on the second Friday and Saturday of the month due to the holiday season, also from 10am until 2pm.” Price says.

Moreover, in the simplest terms, Price states the purpose clearly: “Our main goal is to raise money for the Texarkana Public Library.”

However, the bookstore gives far more than dollars. It gives accessibility—books priced affordably, available to customers of every age, reading level, and budget. Price describes it simply as, “A low cost, easily accessed, friendly and clean source for obtaining gently used and timely books.”

While many nonprofits must stretch dollars thin across operations, Friends of the Library keeps its mission tight and focused. Price clarifies that: “All of our fundraising dollars go to the library to support their various programs and needs and to supplement their other sources of support.” Price explains that the organization consistently funds the library’s summer programs—a seasonal highlight that brings reading, creativity, and enrichment to local families.

Beyond programs, Friends of the Library also helps supply essential tools. Price recalls proudly, “We have provided money for a sound system for the Nelson Room as well as money for the purchase of a van.” Other funding has helped the library cover the costs of books, equipment, and necessities that it could not otherwise afford.

This highly focused model stems from structure. “Our board meets monthly at the library,” Price says. Library representatives attend meetings to share needs, and the board determines allocations.

Beyond the bookstore schedule, Friends of the Texarkana Public Library also hosts one signature annual gathering: their October luncheon. While many might assume it is a major fundraiser, Price clarifies that it is not designed to generate profit. “We charge a fee which helps us cover the cost of food and catering, but not enough to make a profit,” she says. Instead, its purpose is community engagement and celebration.

Each year, the luncheon spotlights an author with local ties, giving guests the rare chance to hear about the creative process, ask questions, and connect with someone who shares their community and love of the written word.

For those who love Texarkana, libraries, or local history, Friends of the Texarkana Public Library offers a way to contribute meaningfully—whether through time, donations, or simply shopping at the bookstore.

Like many nonprofits nationwide, Friends of the Library is fueled by heart—and supported by volunteers. According to Price, “Community members who wish to be involved may make donations of clean books in good condition to the bookstore by bringing them to the store when we are open.”

Book donations are not the only way to get involved. The nonprofit welcomes new volunteers—especially those who love literature and are passionate about community connection. Price shares that some volunteers have been serving for more than two decades, and that dedication comes from the joy of watching someone find just the right book. She says, “We still love seeing someone find that book they have been looking for and crossing it off their list.”

Friends of the Library is one of those rare organizations fueled not by spotlight, but passion. Its volunteers believe that books matter—that literacy empowers—that libraries deserve champions. Their work is steady, humble, and ongoing. Today, they need the community they have served for more than 40 years to continue supporting their mission.

In an era of digital distraction, dwindling public funding, and shrinking literacy resources, libraries remain essential community anchors. Friends of the Texarkana Public Library operates under that understanding—and according to Price, they exist not just to financially support the library, but to advocate for it. The Texarkana Public Library continues to offer programs for children, job seekers, adults, seniors, families, and those seeking education, connection, or simply a quiet haven. Supporting Friends of the Library ultimately strengthens a resource that belongs to the entire community.

Donate. Volunteer. Shop. Share.

Because when a community supports its library, the story is not just preserved—it grows.