Library Systems Partner to Create “Rock, Paper, Run” 5K to Promote Library Card Sign-up Month

Little Rock, AR – The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) and the North Little Rock Public Library System (NLRPLS) have partnered to create the Rock, Paper, Run 5K to celebrate Library Card Sign-up Month. This family fun run 5K will take place September 9 at 8:30 a.m. for line-up, race begins at 9:15 a.m. This run will link the two library systems and begin in North Little Rock, leaving from the steps of the William F. Laman Library, 2801 Orange St, North Little Rock, and ending at the CALS Main Library, 100 Rock Street, Little Rock. Following the race, a Library Card Sign-up Cool Down Party will take place on Main Library’s grounds from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Runners and spectators are encouraged to dress up as their favorite book characters. Registration is $25 for adults, $15 for children ages 4-12, and free for children age 3 and under.

This race marks the first time these two library systems have worked together on a project of this caliber. Crystal Gates, NLRPLS Executive Director, notes that public libraries are known for collaborating, caring for, and sharing with their communities. “Partnering with neighboring libraries on special events for our entire metro community demonstrates the commitment we all have in providing exceptional services – and FUN,” she said.

“Now more than ever, libraries need to unite and help each other remind folks of all the resources and learning experiences their local library offers,” said Nate Coulter, Executive Director of CALS. “We take seriously our efforts to help our community and neighbors.  In this instance the ‘neighbors’ we wanted to work with are our colleagues and friends at the North Little Rock Public Library System who helped us put on this fun run.”

Since 1987, September has been Library Card Sign-up Month, a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers, and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.

The run will follow a predetermined path (view map here) beginning at Laman Library, going over the Broadway Bridge and ending on 2nd Street beside Main Library. Roads along the route will be closed for the duration of the race (anticipated to be between 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.), while the block of 2nd Street will be closed for the Cool Down Party until the celebration and cleanup concludes at 3 p.m. Drivers are encouraged to find alternate routes. The parking deck at Library Square will be accessible via President Clinton Avenue for patrons, runners, and spectators for parking; the CALS flat lot will be used for event space. A trolley will be running from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. providing free rides between Laman Library and Main Library for anyone who has parked at the race start and needs transportation back.

The Cool Down Party is free and open to the public and will feature assorted kid- and family-friendly activities, including a bounce house, craft area, food trucks, a kid’s area in the Main Library garden, and booths where individuals can sign up for a library card from either library system.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for the race and Cool Down Party. Interested runners can find out more information at rockpaperrun.org and sponsors should reach out to Tameka Lee, Communications Director for CALS, at tlee@cals.org or Susie Kirk, Communications Manager for NLRPLS, at susie.kirk@lamanlibrary.org.

About Central Arkansas Library System 
The Central Arkansas Library System includes 15 branch libraries located in Little Rock, Perryville, and throughout Pulaski County. CALS has the largest public library collection in Arkansas, including circulating collections of toys, telescopes, tools, hotspots, and more. CALS also provides a wide variety of programs and resources, such as the annual Six Bridges Book Festival and the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, the only state encyclopedia in the country to be produced by a library system. Library Square, the library system’s downtown Little Rock campus, includes the Main Library, Ron Robinson Theater, Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, and the Rock It! Lab, a resource for local and aspiring entrepreneurs.

About North Little Rock Public Library System 
The North Little Rock Public Library System consists of two libraries in North Little Rock: the William F. Laman Public Library located at 2801 Orange Street and the Argenta Public Library at 420 Main Street. These libraries serve the community as valuable resources, offering art galleries and diverse circulating collections that include tools, cooking equipment, telescopes, hotspots, and more. Additionally, the North Little Rock Public Library System provides a wide variety of free programs and resources for all ages, including the Studio at Laman, a space equipped with sewing machines, Cricuts, embroidery machines, and other creative tools for aspiring creators. The system proudly houses the Laman Loft, an inclusive teen space that provides a safe environment for teenagers to gather and access resources and activities tailored to their needs. A new mobile library is set to begin service to local neighborhoods in September.

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