Foundation Events
November 17th, 2023
Beam Signing for the
Library Expansion
April 27th, 2023
Groundbreaking Ceremony for
the Library Expansion
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October 5, 2023
Booked for the Evening at
Blake Street
Story coming soon!
July 2, 2023
2023 Bikes & Books:
A Big Turnout and Huge Success!
On Saturday July 2nd, the Third Annual OZ Kids™ Bike & Book Fest was hosted at Bentonville Public Library and supported by the Bentonville Library Foundation! The free community event was attended by more than 2,000 people. Bike activities, food, music, crafts, inflatables and more were enjoyed; and, the festival finale was one for the books – a patriotic kids’ bike parade! A free book giveaway was sponsored by KPMG and Pedal It Forward provided 150 bikes with helmets to community children.
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We couldn't have hosted this incredible event, without the help and generous support from our presenting sponsors: Arvest Bank, KPMG, The Walmart Museum, Walmart, UAMS Health, and the Ozark Outdoor Foundation. As well as all the benevolent volunteers who helped set up, staff the event and tear it down. Shout out to Altrusa International of Bentonville/Bella Vista, Satellite Rotary Club of Bentonville, Domino’s pizza at Walmart Store #100, the City of Bentonville and other library supporters! Our gratitude is without measure.
September 15, 2022
Booked for the Evening with
Steuart Walton
The Bentonville Library Foundation (BLF) hosted Booked for the Evening with Steuart Walton on Thursday, September 15 at Tavola Trattoria.
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The event’s format was a conversational Q & A between Steuart Walton and Anthony Soohoo, and the topic was Smart Growth and Avoiding Complacency. Walton discussed how the local community’s culture makes Bentonville unique and special. He shared ideas about balancing rapid growth with quality of life as well as the importance of the natural landscape and making meaningful connections to the environment.
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Walton and Soohoo also talked about the importance of books, reading and libraries, discussing how public libraries have transformed into community spaces. Walton shared a memory of visiting Bentonville Public Library at the historic Massey Hotel as a child with his mother Lynne Walton. He acknowledged the example and support Lynne and Jim Walton have given to Bentonville and credited his parents with his success.
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More than 100 people were in attendance including elected officials such as Mayor Stephanie Orman, former Mayor Terry Coberly and former Mayor Steve Marquess. Established donors, organizations, corporations and new friends helped the Library Foundation’s fundraiser to realize more than $18,000 in proceeds to support the Bentonville Public Library’s expansion project. During the evening, BLF President Howard Kerr and Library Director Hadi Dudley publicly recognized lead donors to the capital campaign.