News & Announcements

An update from Nate Coulter regarding Act 372

On August 1, a new law concerning libraries, librarians, and books went into effect. Two Sections of that law, known as Act 372, did not take effect because of a ruling issued in a lawsuit CALS and others filed in federal court in June. Our library and two others, along with bookstores and a number of individuals and organizations challenged the constitutionality of those two provisions – Sections 1 and 5.

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Main Library sets closing date for renovation   

Little Rock, AR – The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) has announced that the flagship Main Library, 100 Rock St., will be closing temporarily for extensive renovations. Beginning September 1, Main Library operations will transfer to Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art, 401 President Clinton Ave. CALS does not anticipate any interruption of services with the switch.


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Shores Receives Library’s 2023 Booker Worthen Literary Prize

Little Rock, AR – The Central Arkansas Library System’s Butler Center for Arkansas Studies will award the annual Booker Worthen Literary Prize to Elizabeth Findley Shores for her biography of Charles J. Finger, Shared Secrets: The Queer World of Newbery Medalist Charles J. Finger, published by the University of Arkansas Press.

Elizabeth Findley Shores,


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CALS Butler Center Names Stricklin Fellowship Recipient

For Immediate Release
May 23, 2023

CALS Butler Center Names Stricklin Fellowship Recipient
Dr. Lisa Childs to use fund to study the Ouachita Mountains region

Little Rock, AR —The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, a program of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), announces this year’s Stricklin Fellowship recipient.


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