Category: News Features

CALS patrons now have digital access to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette Historical Archive! Many of you know that the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette was split into two newspapers until they merged in 1991. This collection contains searchable, image edition issues of the Arkansas Gazette, Arkansas Democrat, and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. This collection is available remotely so patrons can access this outside our libraries;

On November 2, CALS staff members from several branches along with other well-wishers gathered at the Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library & Learning Center to bid a fond farewell to retiring Deputy Director Lisa Donovan. If you know anything about Lisa, the location of the party was a given. Lisa began her career with CALS when the Main Library opened in its current location in the River Market in 1997.

The CALS team has been working behind the scenes to make your library experience even better. In the next few weeks, we are moving our event system to a platform called Attend, created by Communico. This means that our event calendar will look a bit different, but you will be able to sort events by category then email or print a list,

Earlier this year, CALS announced that Main Library would be closing temporarily to undergo an extensive renovation. That change created a domino effect of moves and adjustments, including (but not limited to) the closing of the Galleries & Bookstore so that Main Library services could move into that space (read about the move here).

With Main Library closing for renovations and many of the services moving to “Mini Main” at Roberts Library, there have been questions about what moved over, what moved somewhere else and what is just going to be gone for the next 18 months. We rounded up all the information and have it here. If you see something missing,

The vocation of a librarian requires a commitment to freedom of speech and the celebration of diverse viewpoints unlike that found in any other profession.
–U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks (court order, July 29, 2023)

On August 1, a new law concerning libraries, librarians, and books went into effect.

It seems like only yesterday patrons were asking for hoopla to come back, which we made happen. And now, we’re giving you more.

Through this beloved app, CALS has been offering access to graphic novels, movies, and TV shows. But starting today, we have even MORE access! With hoopla you can now download ebooks and audiobooks!

Update- beginning May 26, all books will be $1. (this excludes rare books). Open Friday May 26, Saturday May 27, Tuesday May 30, and Wednesday May 31.

We’ve been saying that the Galleries & Bookstore at Library Square would close soon and it’s finally happening. We’re in the last month and while we’re all sad to see it go,