Fort Smith Public Library Activities

Upcoming Events

January 2012

Library Closed for New Year Holiday (January 1st and 2nd)
Primetime Storytime (January 9th)
Library2Go Drop-In Clinic (January 11th)
Open Mic Night @ Dewey's Café (January 12th)
Author in the Afternoon featuring Dr. Jeff Crawford (January 13th)
Library Closed for Martin Luther King's Birthday (January 16th)
Third Thursday Movie: Thor (PG-13) (January 19th)
Food for Thought: Featuring Sherry Laymon, author of Fearless: John L. McClellan, United States Senator (January 20th)
Chinese New Year Celebration! (January 26th)

Ongoing Events

FSPL Story Times
Friends of the Library Annual Book Sales (Fiction in May/NonFiction in August)


ArtWork @ the Library

RMS Titanic Display (Through June, 2012)
Artwork @ Main Photography by Todd Whetstine (January/February)
Artwork @ Miller Paintings by Susan Taylor and the Miller Branch Bunch (January)
Artwork @ Dewey's Café Photography by Michael Leonard (January/February)

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January 2012

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Primetime Storytime
January 2012 program: Monday, January 9th @ 6:30p.m.

Join Ms. Robin and Ms. Judy for stories, songs, crafts and snacks at this FREE evening story program at the Main Library. Kids of all ages will enjoy this fun family program!

For more information, please call the Youth Services Department at (479)783-0229.

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Library2Go Drop-In Clinic
SPECIAL January 2012 program: Wednesday, January 11th @ 4:00-6:00p.m.

Did you know that you can download library eBooks, audiobooks, and videos FREE from Library2Go using your Fort Smith Public Library card? And now you can get E-books on your KINDLE! If you have questions about this really cool library service, our drop-in clinic is the perfect place to get answers. You'll get one on one help from library staff who can help you better understand how Library2Go works. Be sure to bring your E-Reader or portable audio device...if you use a laptop to access Library2Go please bring that along as well.

For more information, please call the Main Library at (479)783-0229.

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Open Mic Night @ Dewey's Café
SPECIAL January 2012 program: Thursday, January 12th @ 6:00-8:00p.m.

Showcase your talent, or just come and listen at Open Mic Night at Dewey's Café in the Main Library. Poets and musicians will have five minutes to read or perform one or more piece, and must sign up at the door. Acoustic music only please! Poems do not have to be original work - come and share a favorite poem or musical piece with us!

For more information, please call the Main Library at (479)783-0229.

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Authors in the Afternoon: featuring Dr. Jeff Crawford
January 2012 program: Friday, December 13th @ 2:00-4:00p.m.

Dr. Jeff Crawford will make a special appearance at the Fort Smith Public Library as part of the Authors in the Afternoon series. The author will be on hand to promote and sign copies of his latest book, On A Ship to Tarshish - God's Will, Your Life. "What is God's will for my life?" This is the age-old question that people long to answer. Join Dr. Jeff Crawford as he takes you into the life of the prophet Jonah to answer this question for your life today. On A Ship To Tarshish will open the text of the Bible and give you a very simple tool that you can use at any and all times. This tool will help you find your position in God's plan for your life and get you back on track if you have strayed.

Dr. Jeff Crawford makes his home in the River Valley of western Arkansas with his wife, Julie, and three children, Garrett, Madison, and Grayson. He is the Lead Pastor of the Grand Avenue Baptist Church in Fort Smith, and the author of two books, Image of God - From Who You Are to Who You Can Become, and On A Ship to Tarshish - God's Will, Your Life. Dr. Crawford also serves on the faculty of Liberty University as an adjunct in the School of Education. You can follow his blog at: jeffcrawford.me.

Copies of Dr. Crawford's books will be available for sale and signing at this open-house style event. For more information, please call the Main Library at (479)783-0229.

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Third Thursday Movie: Thor (PG-13)
SPECIAL January 2012 program: Thursday, January 19th @ 6:00p.m.

This month's Third Thursday feature is the 2011 release Thor (rated PG-13). In this fantasy action-adventure film, The powerful but arrogant warrior Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders. Bring your own refreshments or enjoy some popcorn with the movie, just 50 cents or free when you purchase a drink from Dewey's Café.

For more information, please call the Youth Services Department at (479)783-0229.

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Food For Thought: featuring Shery Laymon, author of Fearless: John L. McClellan, United States Senator
SPECIAL January 2012 program: Friday, January 20th @ Noon

Join us at noontime at the Main Library for the popular Food for Thought series featuring an author talk and book signing with Sherry Laymon. Fearless: John L. McClellan, United States Senator is a compelling biography of a Southern conservative Democrat who overcame multiple tragedies in his personal life to become one of the most powerful Senators during his time. Laymon is a native Arkansan whose books and articles focus on Arkansas, Southern, and American history. Her articles on McClellan won the Arkansas Historical Association's Violet Gingles Award in 2010 and 2011.

This event is free and open to the public. Bring your lunch or pick it up at the Library's coffee shop, Dewey's Café! The Library will provide drinks and dessert.

For more information, please call the Main Library at (479)783-0229.

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Chinese New Year Celebration! featuring Hui Apple
SPECIAL January 2012 program: Thursday, January 26th @ 6:00p.m.

The Year of the Dragon begins January 23rd! Make plans to celebrate Chinese New Year by joining Ms. Robin, Ms. Judy and special guest Hui Apple for a special evening storytime. The storytime will be followed by crafts, refreshments, and special displays. Bring the family and join the fun!

For more information, please call the Youth Services Department at (479)783-0229.

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Storytime @ the Library

Toddler and Story Time at the Library

MondaysWindsorStory Time10:00a.m.
TuesdaysMainToddler Time (Ages 3 and under)10:00a.m.
TuesdaysMillerAfternoon Story Time 2:00p.m.
WednesdaysDallasStory Time 10:30a.m.
ThursdaysMainRegular Story Time (Ages 3 and up)10:00a.m.

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Friends of the Library Events

Fort Smith Public Library's Annual Friends of the Library Booksale
Annual program: 2011 Dates -- Fiction: May 7th; Non-Fiction: August 27th

We've finally done it! Our Annual Friends of the Library Used Book Sale has outgrown the space of the Library. So, we are now selling Mostly Fiction in May with a Mostly Non-Fiction Sale in August. In May, Fiction for children and adults will be on sale, along with a selection of music CDs, videos, and books on tape. In August? Non-fiction! The August edition of the Friends of the Library Used Book Sale features thousands of non-fiction selections for adults. Hardbacks and paperbacks from your favorite authors and on your favorite subjects will be available. Most paperbacks are 25 cents and most hardback books are $1.00. Better hardbacks are $3.00 - $5.00.

Proceeds from the sale are used to buy library materials and fund library special events and projects. Members of the Friends of the Fort Smith Public Library may come to the exclusive Friends-only Preview Sale on the Friday afternoon preceding the sale from 4:00-7:00p.m. There will be a 25 book limit at the preview sale. Friends of the Library memberships start at $10.00 and will be for sale at the Preview Sale.

And remember...we have an excellent selection of used books for sale year round in our Friends of the Library used book store, Between the Pages, and at ALL of our FSPL branches.

For more information, please call (479)783-0229.

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ArtWork @ the Library

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SPECIAL Exhibit: RMS Titanic Display
Special 2011-2012 Exhibit

The Titanic has docked at the Fort Smith Public Library! The RMS Titanic, the passenger liner that struck an iceberg on her maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City, sank on 15 April 1912, resulting in the deaths of 1,517 people. As the countdown begins to the 2012 centennial demise of the Titanic, you can visit a remarkable replica of the ship on loan from the Titanic Museum Attraction in Branson, Missouri.

Bring your family to see the ten foot long model of this famous ship and learn about its history now through June, 2012, at the Main Library. For more information and hours, please call the Main Library at (479)783-0229.

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Artwork @ Main:
Special January/February 2012 Exhibit: Photography by Todd Whetstine

Award winning nature photographer Todd Whetstine will display his original works at the Main Library during the months of January and February. Todd has hiked and boated his way across the state of Arkansas photographing some of the most beautiful streams, lakes, and views in the country.

A multiple award winner blessed with a gift from God, Todd has brought us images from Lake Leatherwood to the raging whitewaters of the Cossatot River. Inspired by the call of the wild he's constantly trekking through the forest in search of the next great photographic opportunity. Todd grew up in Coffeyville, Kansas, and moved to Arkansas eleven years ago. Inspired by nature photographer Tim Ernst, he decided he wanted to follow in his footsteps. And what better place he says, because Arkansas is the equivalent of a kid's Candyland for a nature photographer. In 2008, Todd was voted Photographer of the Year by the Photographic Society of Northwest Arkansas. View more of his work or contact Todd at www.wildwoodsphotography.com.

For more information, please call the Main Library at (479)783-0229.

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Artwork @ Miller:
Special January Exhibit: Paintings by Susan Taylor and the Miller Branch Bunch

Local artist Susan Taylor and her students, The Miller Branch Bunch, will display their watercolors during the month of January at the Miller Branch Library. Come check out the local talent and see the beautiful pictures created in Susan's watercolor class held in the library.

For more information, please call the Miller Branch Library at (479)646-3945.

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Artwork @ Dewey's Café
Special January/February Exhibit: Photography by Michael Leonard

Photographer Michael Leonard, who specializes in Infrared Fine Art Photography, will exhibit his original work at Dewey's Café in the Main Library during the months of January and February. After retiring from the Navy, he moved to Arkansas, working at various jobs. On a road trip to the West, he took along an old Nikon, and that experience reawakened a love for photography he had discovered in high school. "Photography is an emotional experience for me," Leonard says. "I try to capture those feelings every time I look through the lens." His subjects range from the great outdoors to church interiors and everything in between. Preview his work before the show at www.michaelleonardphotography.org.

For more information, please call (479)783-0229.

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This Page Last Updated: 2 December 2011

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