The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, a department of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), was created in 1997 through an endowment by the late Richard C. Butler Sr. for the purpose of promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of Arkansas history, literature, art, and culture.

The research collections and offices are located in the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art (formerly the Arkansas Studies Institute building) at Library Square. The Research Room of the Roberts Library is shared by the Butler Center and the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Center for Arkansas History and Culture. Here, the two institutions have made more than 10 million documents and photographs on Arkansas history available for public use.

Library Square Parking Rates

Two off-street parking areas are available to CALS patrons. If you are visiting the Main Library ask staff to validate your parking ticket to receive an extended free parking period.

An open-air parking lot is situated on the east side of Rock St., directly opposite the Main Library. And, a multi-story parking garage is located immediately north of the Main Library on the corner of Rock St. and President Clinton Ave. In both cases, the parking rates are as follows:

0 – 30 minutes: FREE
31 – 1 hour: $2.00
1 hour 1 minute – 2 hours: $4.00
2 hours 1 minute – 3 hours: $6.00
3 hours 1 minute – 4 hours: $8.00
4 hours 1 minute – 5 hours: $10.00
5 hours 1 minute – 6 hours: $12.00
6 hours 1 minute – 7 hours: $14.00
8+ hours : $16.00

Overnight: $16.00