Thanks for all you do Mary Lou!


Posted on October 12, 2020

Mary Lou Harp is the latest recipient of the Carla Youngblood Community Spirit Award. We are grateful for all she does behind the scenes to make Berryville a better place for us all!

Friends of the Library Honors Local Businesswoman

September 21, 2020–The Friends of the Berryville Library created the Carla Youngblood Community Spirit Award to recognize community citizens for acts of kindness in ways that have bettered the community. Carla Youngblood, a longtime employee of the library, who retired in 2019, was well known for her many acts of kindness.

Several Friends of the Library members and Rotarians were on hand to congratulate Mary Lou Harp as she was presented this award by former longtime librarian and Friends of the Library board member, Carol Ann Engskov. Mary Lou is married to Richard Harp and together they own and operate Shelter Insurance in Berryville. Mary Lou generously gives of her time and energy while supporting many community projects financially.  Harp is also active in other community organizations serving many years on the board of Ozark Aids Resource Services.  She has also served 24 years on the Ozark Guidance Center board, past president of Berryville Rotary, Friends of the Library, Carroll and Madison Library Board, just to name a few.

Carol Ann Enskov, who nominated Mary Lou for this award stated during her presentation, ‘Harp never seeks recognition and doesn’t shortcut a job of any kind.  She been a longtime genuine friend, and always gives it her all!”

According to Mary Knight, Friends of the Library president, “Mary Lou is to be credited for her part in the revitalization of the Friends of the Library.  She was our trusted treasurer and is truly deserving of this award for the many silent acts of kindness she continues to provide to this community.”

In the words of her husband, Richard, she is just the best thing to happen to him and to so many others in this community.

Along with a certificate, the Friends of the Library will make a $50 donation to the nonprofit of her choice.  When asked which nonprofit she wanted to support, she said she would like to give it back to the Friends of the Library to support their building campaign.

For more information on becoming a Friend of the Berryville Library or to donate to the Berryville Library Building Fund to build a bigger and better library, contact (870) 423-2323.