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Grants, special memorial benefit Macksville library
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Macksville preschool students pose with the library’s new TV, displaying photos of Fred and Bobby Clark.

The Macksville City Library addition was completed in the spring of 2023. After having raised funds for over a decade, the dream was finally a reality – with space for programming, for a children’s area, for tornado safety, for community gatherings, and more.

The next dream was for audiovisual equipment. A laptop worked fine for individual use, but it was not adequate when serving groups of any size. Estimates were gathered, and grants were written. The 2024 Dollar General Summer Reading grant contributed $750. The Golden Belt Community Foundation added $1,000. The project was then on hold until additional funds could be secured.

Barbara Jo (Clark) Heinold, MHS Class of 1967, attended the Alumni Open House and learned of the library’s need. Her grandmother, Bea Clark, was once a librarian at the Macksville City Library, and her parents had been avid supporters of the community.

Barbara Jo wanted to honor the memory of her parents, Fred and Bobby Clark. Fred and Bobby both grew up in Macksville and began dating in high school. Fred served his country during World War II in the Army Air Corps, as a fighter pilot. Following the war, Fred and Bobby were married on Jan. 6, 1946.

Fred and Bobby worked together in their family business, Clark Flying Services, in Macksville, for over 40 years. They owned the local airport, and the name was officially changed from Smith Field to Clark Field in memory of Fred, after receiving the “Pilot Extraordinaire” recognition. 

Fred and Bobby loved their small community of Macksville and the advantages of raising their children near their family and friends.

Fred preceded Bobby in death, Jan. 31st, 2020. Bobby passed on Dec. 24, 2023. They had been happily married for 74 years.

With the Clark memorial and combined grants, the library was able to purchase and have installed a large flat screen smart TV, an integrated speaker system, a camera for Zoom meetings, and security cameras for the library. Photos honoring Fred and Bobby are also on display.

The library’s upcoming Summer Reading program will be the perfect debut for the new equipment. 

Check out the website Macksvillelibrary.com for more about this and other library programs and local happenings.