My Learning Community: Jonesboro

Martha Hubbard

Summer 2011

Collection Development

LIBM-6360 Dr. Rickman

Jonesboro Public SchoolsStudents

◦ 5,300 students◦ 2010 graduates

earned 102 scholarships totaling $7.8 million dollars

◦ 1 National Merit Scholar

◦ 3 Governor’s Distinguished Scholars

◦ Very diverse, as well

Teachers◦ 413 certified staff

188 Master’s Degrees 10 Specialist in

Education 6 Doctorate Average 16 Years

Experience

• Support Staff• Over 159

Jonesboro’s People

Population Growth in Jonesboro Population Specifics

197019802000200520100

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000 The median age of a resident is 31.3.

The average age falls in the 20-24 year old group.

85.3 % have a high school education or higher.

20.6 % have a bachelor's degree or higher

7.0% have a graduate or professional degree.

The average income is $57,696. The ethnicities are reported as the

following: White, Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian, Some other, and two or more.

Education Jonesboro Public SchoolsNettleton Public SchoolsValley View Public SchoolsWestside Public SchoolsBlessed Sacrament (K-6)Concordia Christian

AcademyRidgefield Christian SchoolASU Technical CenterArea Technical CenterArkansas State University

Community InformationReligion: 106 groups listed under “Church

Directory” from 43 Baptist to 1 Islam.Housing: The average price in 2008 was $139,596

which is up 2.5% from 2007. The average price home in Arkansas fell 1.3 % during the same period.

Transportation: Main mode is personal vehicle; however, JETS (public transit system) is available. There is also a commercial airline with daily service to Memphis.

Medical Care: 2 major hospitals: St. Bernard’s Regional Medical Center and NEA Baptist Hospital.

Workforce: The top 3 employers are trade, transportation, and utilities-20.8%, education and health services-17.9%, manufacturing-14.3%.

Community OutreachJonesboro Public

Library◦ Programs for seniors

such as computer classes◦ Programs for those

looking for work such as resume writing

◦ Book clubs for all ages◦ Summer concert series

on the lawn! ◦ Office of

Reading/Community Outreach which provides training, mentoring, and other resources.

More community outreach

City Youth◦ A volunteer

organization◦ Serves school-age

children◦ Offers tutoring,

mentoring, crafts, games, meals

The Foundation of the Arts◦ A program that

supports dance, drama, music and art.

◦ Supports all including those with disabilities.

◦ LEAP (Learning Expression Through Art Programs

◦ The Dance Again Closet

◦ Many others!

William Arthur Ward once said, “Lose yourself in generous service and every day can be a most unusual day, a triumphant day, an abundantly rewarding day! That is my town’s attitude!

I would not change a thing about my town and its community outreaching efforts.