CALS Blogs

We’re all feeling the strain of the pandemic, and it’s more important now than ever to be present for each other. A friendly word or sign of caring may make a difference for someone who is struggling financially, mentally, or emotionally.

Laura Hodo of the CALS McMath Library told us a story recently about an encounter with one of our library visitors.

Raising Arkansas Beyond Our 57% Response Rate on the 2020 U.S. Census

If you see cheerful staff members in CALS masks walking around outdoors, using iPads to interview people, that’s the sight of your library system hard at work on the U.S. Census.

The 2020 U.S. Census contains only seven questions and usually takes about five minutes to complete.

Every April, writers and creatives across the map celebrate National Poetry Month. For thirty days, we honor the great poets of our past by spotlighting new and promising works and encouraging everyone (and anyone) to connect with their inner poet. This year, the CALS Writing Circle hosted a month-long challenge. For every day in the month of April,

Central Arkansas Library System’s Writing Circle is pleased to celebrate the poets of Central Arkansas with the release of its first poetry collection.

You are invited to a free, live, virtual reading from the anthology at 2:30 pm on Saturday, July 18.

The CALS Writing Circle Spring 2020 Poetry Anthology began as a glimmer in the eye of circle leader Deb Moore when National Poetry Month rolled around in April.

In early 2019, CALS adopted a strategic plan to identify needs in our community and work to meet those needs. A pillar of that strategic plan is a new initiative to increase outreach to the Black and LatinX communities, as well as to extend all community outreach in settings outside library buildings. With these focused outreach efforts,

Kids getting bored during the summer? No worries–we have kids’ programming online, so kids can learn how to make pizza toast while they hear a great story about a dragon pizzeria!

Tui O’Baugh taught second grade for ten years before joining CALS to teach programs at our children’s library. Her know-how, enthusiasm, and warmth have been inspiring kids for two years as she teaches the cooking and storybook class called “Little Kids in the Kitchen.” This hands-on learning experience teaches kids in a dynamic way how they can turn ingredients into delicious foods.

Juliana Flinn is a professor of anthropology at the University of Arkansas – Little Rock. She has lived here for 35 years.  Her pastimes include acting in community theater, hiking, practicing yoga, and playing with grandchildren. 

I’m a cultural anthropologist, and I’m convinced that the reading I did as a child set me on that path. 

Conjure Women is a Spellbinding Novel of Midwives in Slavery and Reconstruction

Afia Atakora’s debut novel Conjure Women is a rich quilt-work of stories based on a large cast of characters who live through the end of slavery and into the Reconstruction period. An African American mother and daughter,