The Phoenix Club today still has on file many of the yearbooks and minutes of meetings dating
back before the turn of the century. According to one of the early yearbooks, the club's mission
was "the mutual improvement of its members, the promotion of the literary and social life in
Searcy, and the quickening of an interest in civic improvement."

Acting on this objective, members collected a few books among themselves to be made available
to the public, thus informally beginning Searcy's first public library. They were first kept in the
Greer home, located on the southeast corner of Race and Main streets. Today that is one of the
busiest intersections in Searcy; a local radio station occupies the corner where the house stood.

Club meetings were held in members' homes. For that reason, membership was limited to 25
women. Typical meetings would include book reviews, guest speakers on literary subjects, or
discussion of community problems. At one meeting, there was a twist on a spelling bee; rather
than spelling words, members were required to quote passages from Shakespeare or to be seated.

Nancy Van Patten, a current and longtime member of the Phoenix Club, said, "Strong friendship
among the members is what has kept the club together, and today we look forward to our
meetings and the opportunity to see one another."

As more books were added, the library eventually moved from the Greer home to a room above a
bank on the town square on the corner of Spruce and Arch streets. Offices now occupy that space.

Three Phoenix Club Members, Ada Whitmore, Virginia Lightle and Lois Wells, volunteered their
time to check out books.

By World War I, the library had increased to 600 volumes. A local physician, Dr. S.T. Tapscott,
allowed the books to be placed in a room in his office.

His daughter, Winifred Tapscott, a club member, volunteered to serve as the librarian. Miss
Winnie, as she was called, was a former school-teacher and was very interested in encouraging
the youth ol Searcy to become familiar with good literature. She served as librarian for many
years without pay.

A few years later, the library was moved from Tapscott's office to the basement of the White
County Courthouse, where it remained until a library building was constructed in 1928.

By 1924, with 1,200 volumes in the library, the committed women of the Phoenix Club were
still shouldering the responsibility of running and maintaining the library. The city of Searcy
contributed when funds were available. That year, the city agreed to the building of a library
in Spring Park.

One current club member remembers, "This action by the city council resulted in much
discussion in the homes and on the streets of Searcy. Should a library be built in the park?
Would it disturb the birds? Could it legally be, placed there?"

In 1927, with all legal questions answered, a committee appointed by the Phoenix Club
submitted plans for a completed library building with a tiled roof to be built in the White Sulpher
Springs park. Notes were signed by 30 individuals for a total of $2,000. Members called on local businessmen for contributions. As the building neared completion, the club reported having all
but $400 in hand. One club member lent that amount, and the new library opened its doors on
April 24, 1928.

White Sulpher Springs Park

Courtesy Roger Williams

It was important to club members that the library remain free. The city agreed to contribute
$250 annually. Other funds were raised by many events put on by the club. Over the years,
Searcy residents turned out for bazaars, luncheons. quilting parties, bridge parties, benefit
programs and exhibits. Volunteers still maintained day-to-day operation of the library.

In 1934, membership was extended to daughters of club members. They could be between the
ages of 16 and 28 and could be either married or single, according to club records.

Each club member was required to purchase a book. Members read the books and exchanged
them among them-selves, then donated them to the library.

On Saturdays, the young women would distribute magazines to county residents when they
came into town to shop. They were also worked to improve and increase the section of the
library for young, pre-school-age children.

In the years after the Depression, funding for the library became critical. A fee of 10 cents a
month was tried, but it was eliminated when it was clear that it was causing fewer to come to
the library

The Phoenix Club appointed an investigating committee to see what funding was available. If
help was not forthcoming, the library would have to close its doors -- something no one in the
club wanted to see. After careful study, the committee recommended the creation of a county
library.

The commission's executive secretary paid a visit to Searcy. Smith escorted her throughout
the county, explaining to residents the services their state hoped to help them secure.

In March 1939, a meeting was called and the county judge appointed a six-member board to
work with the city, the county and the Phoenix Club in establishing a county library.