By JEFFREY SMITH
Leader staff writer
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission recently supplied the Ward Library with eight new Shakespeare fishing rods and reels for the public to check out.
Fishermen in Ward who need to borrow a fishing pole for the day need look no further than their local public library.
The Game and Fish Commission has supplied the library with eight rods and reels for patrons to check out.
Librarian Vanessa Ford said, “They have to have a library card to check out a pole. To get a library card you have to have a bill with your name and address and a photo ID.”
Fishermen need to supply the line and hooks. The fishing poles will have barcodes attached for check out. The fishing gear will be ready for anglers to borrow starting Monday.
She added that children younger than 18 years old are required to have a parent sign for them to receive a library card.
Children have to be at least 10 years old to be in the library without an adult or parent present.
The program is geared toward families. “They will be able to check out two per family for three days,” Ford said.
She said Ward resident James Davidson, a technician with the Game and Fish Commission, stopped in the library and asked about setting up the free fishing gear loan program.
She said a Game and Fish Commission employee will stop by the library periodically to maintain the rods and reels.
The Ward Public Library is located at 405 Hickory St., Suite 100 across from the city gym.
Not too far from the library is Busby Lake. The lake is located across the railroad tracks from the Hwy. 367 and Hwy. 319.
For more information about the new program contact the library at 941-3220.
