CAMDEN — According to a news release from the Ouachita County Judge’s office, there will be a public meeting about the spot where the old Public Library of Camden and Ouachita County on Harrison Avenue at 3 p.m. on Monday inside the Ouachita County Courthous lobby.
There is a grant that may pay for picnic tables and a pavilion to cover while visitors and citizens of the county can sit and eat downtown.
In 2011, a fire overnight badly damaged the Camden Public Library and destroyed a significant portion of its collection.
The blaze is believed to have started near back offices in the structure on Harrison Avenue before spreading to the attic, where it became difficult to put out. The roof was mostly destroyed and the building was ultimately torn down.
The rest of the collection was not as fortunate. Though the flames didn’t reach much of it, many of the books suffered water and smoke damage. Some items, though, were saved.
The former library was a Greek-revival building constructed in 1954.
Now the Public Library of Camden and Ouachita County is located on Cash Road.