Blog Entries

 

Dewey’s Café manager Sam Bradley has been with the library for 10 years. Before he leaves us, we decided to ask him a few questions. 

Q. & A. with Sam 

 

When did you start working at the library? 

 7/7/2015

 

What kind of work did you do before you came to work at the library? 

I was a shift superintendent for Bremner Manufacturing.  Crackers and Cookies.

 

Do you remember what motivated you to want to work at the library?

 It looked like a good challenge without the high...

Do you remember all the fun you used to have at the library when you were a kid? We have good news for you -- we offer summer fun for all ages at the Fort Smith Public Library! Adults can take part in a variety of crafting programs, play BINGO, view films, join a book club, and a whole lot more. All programs are free with no library card required, but space may be limited at some. For more details, visit our events calendar.

 

First Friday Film: My Man Godfrey

Friday, June 6, 2 PM – Main Library

 

Adult Crafts: Paper Roll Birds

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Everybody knows that the library is a great place to find a good book, but it’s also a great place to connect with other people who love books! The library offers several book clubs that provide opportunities to get out and socialize with like-minded people, make new friends, enjoy snacks, and talk about books. 

 

The Book Lover’s Club is our longest running book club. The group began meeting in September of 2002, and has been meeting monthly ever since (minus a short pandemic break).  This book club is a little different than most as the group doesn’t r...

Summer is right around the corner, which means that Summer Reading programs for all ages will soon be at the Fort Smith Public Library!  Who does not have fond childhood memories of participating in summer reading at their library? While a lot of participants might focus on the prizes offered for reading books over the summer, summer reading offers a multitude of benefits that you might not even think about.  Read on to learn why your whole family should participate in the “Color Our World” Summer Reading program beginning June 1 at the library this year.

 

Help y...

Did you know that there are over 250,000 books to choose from at the Fort Smith Public Library?  With so many items, it can be a little overwhelming to find something to read.  Never fear, that is why your friendly FSPL staff is here!  One of the Youth Services staff members favorite things to do is to to give book recommendations! Here are some of the staff members' all-time favorite young adult books.  To check availability of a book, simply click on the book cover and you'll be taken to the library's online catalog.  You can request to hold the item at any of our...

Did you know that there are over 250,000 books to choose from at the Fort Smith Public Library?  With so many items, it can be a little overwhelming to find something to read.  Never fear, that is why your friendly FSPL staff is here!  One of the Youth Services staff members' favorite things to do is to to give book recommendations! Here are some of the staff members' all-time favorite juvenile books.  To check availability of a book, simply click on the book cover and you'll be taken to the library's online catalog.  You can request to hold the item at any of our f...

April 6 - 12 is National Library Week, a time to celebrate libraries and library staff, and the services that they provide.  There are many ways to tell the story of the impact of a library on the community.  It could be the story of the man who used library computers to create a resume and apply for jobs, the woman who used library books to learn how to write the business plan that led to the creation of her small business, or the child who excelled in kindergarten because she attended storytime and listened to books throughout her young life.  One of the easiest ways to con...

National Library Week is April 6 - 12.  This year’s theme is “Drawn to the Library.”  What draws you to the library?  Perhaps one of our arts and crafts programs is just what you need to take a break from your everyday life.  A variety of programs for all ages are available at all of our FSPL locations this month. All programs are free with no library card required, but space may be limited at some.  For more details, visit our events page.

Take & Make Crafts: DIY Paper Succulent

April 2 – while supplies last – Main Library

Homeschool Enrichment: Wa...

Hey Teens! 

Ready for summer reading fun and prizes?  If you like to read books, e-books, or audio books (or all three!) AND like the chance to win prizes, the Teen Summer Reading Program is for you! There are items to win, books to read or listen to--all for you at the Fort Smith Public Library beginning June 1st, so make plans to participate.

SRP is Online

The teen summer reading program is online!  For every book you read, you'll be entered into a weekly drawing for a gift card AND earn an entry into the end-of-summer grand prize drawing. The more yo...

Color Our World Summer Reading Fun June 1-July 31 for Kids!

Are you ready for the Color Our World summer reading program?

Are you ready to read for fun and prizes? Grab your family and friends and sign up for the library’s online reading program June 1-July 31! It’s easy AND fun! Listeners can earn points by listening to books, and independent readers can earn points for time spent reading. Register, track your progress, play games, and earn badges online at https://fortsmithlibrary.readsquared.com/. Download the READsquared app (available for iOS and Android devices). If you pref...

Color Our World is this year’s summer reading theme, and all ages are invited to participate! The Fort Smith Public Library’s annual summer reading program for kids, teens, and adults will begin June 1. The summer reading program is just one of the many ways the library works to create a community of readers and library users. Through fun programs, activities, and prizes, the summer reading program offers incentives for the whole family to spend time reading or listening to books. The summer reading program begins June 1 and runs through July 31. Participants can drop by any library locatio...

Women’s History Month celebrates the vast contributions that women have made throughout history.  Beginning as a local festivity in California in 1978, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation in 1980 and made it a national celebration.  The week of March 8 was chosen to coincide with International Women’s Day.  In 1987, Congress decided to extend the celebration to a month, creating Women’s History Month. 

The theme for Women's History Month 2025 is Moving Forward Together! Women Educating & Inspiring Generations.

The Fort Smith Public...

 

Has it really been 25 years already? Our three branch libraries will celebrate their 25th anniversaries in the next couple of months! 

The Dallas Street Branch Library anniversary is February 26,the Windsor Drive Branch Library anniversary is March 26,and the Miller Branch Library will celebrate on April 29. 

Each location is planning a celebration for commemoration, along with other related events. 

Come help celebrate with the Dallas Branch on March 5, with anniversary storytimes at 10 & 11 a.m., and a branch celebration from ...

The Library is excited to be a partner with the U.S. Marshals Museum for the NEA Big Read this March and April.  The museum and its community partners will host a series of engaging programs and events centered around this year's selected book, The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir, written by Kao Kalia Yang. The book chronicles the story of a family’s post-Vietnam War journey from Southeast Asia to the United States, similar to what many families in the River Valley area experienced coming to Fort Smith through Fort Chaffee after the Vietnam War. 

The Fort Smith Pub...

February is Black History Month, celebrating the achievements of African Americans and recognizing their central role in U.S. History. The library invites you to help in this celebration by attending one or more of our featured programs this month. 

Join us on Saturday, February 15, at 2 PM at the Main Library for a special performance of Reclaiming Your Roots, an interactive show for all ages performed by Rooted Movement Collective. A touring dance group, Rooted Movement Collective is dedicated to educating and spreading the radical joy of African American dance forms,...