All library locations will be closed March 29th and March 31st for Easter.

Blog Entries

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UAMS Coronavirus Resource Guide

The Education & Research Services team at UAMS (University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences) has put together a resource guide with information about Coronavirus Disease 19 (2019-nCoV). The pages provide authoritative, up-to-date information for clinicians, laboratories, researchers and the public. 

Included in the resource guide is the Coronavirus COVID-19 Global Cases by Johns Hopkins CSSE, an interactive web-based dashboard hosted by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering (CSSE) at Johns Hopkins University, to visualize and track reported cases of 201...

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Black History Month

February is Black History Month, an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing the central role they played in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. We hope you will join us in celebrating Black History and Heritage this month and all year long at the Fort Smith Public Library.  The library is offering several programs spotlighting Black History this month, and also has many resources that may be of interest to you.

The Miller Branch Library will hold their...

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Read to a Therapy Dog!

There are numerous organizations that offer children the opportunity to read to a therapy dog in schools, libraries, and other settings.  The Miller Branch of the Fort Smith Public Library is excited to welcome Gunner the Therapy Dog on Friday, January 31 from 3:30-4:30 PM.  Gunner will be accompanied by his handler Susan Kelly, and he loves being read to!  School age children are encouraged to come and read a story him.  We hope you'll join us!

A dog’s role as “man’s best friend” has evolved throughout the years.  They have been herders, hunters, rescuers...

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Celebrate Chinese New Year @ Your Library!

The Year of the Rat begins January 25th!  Make plans to celebrate Chinese New Year by joining Ms. Robin and special guest Hui Wang Apple for a fun Saturday storytime on January 25 at 10:30 am.  The storytime will be followed by crafts and special displays.  Bring the family and join the celebration!

About Hui Wang Apple

A native of China, Hui Wang Apple has lived in Fort Smith area since 1999. She works as a private Math/ Language tutor.  She is also a Certified Public Accountant.  Hui is a member of First United Methodist Church. She is also enjoys vol...

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Focus on Teens

Teens! The year is coming to an end, and we have had so much fun at Teen Lounge. For those who don’t know, Teen Lounge is a monthly after-school program where teens in grades 7-12 can come hang out, enjoy a snack, and participate in a craft or other activities.

Some highlights from this past year include special-effects makeup workshops, a fandom party, cupcake wars, and DIY locker magnets. In the year to come, our goal is to continue providing you with a safe, inclusive space to be yourself and have fun.  Without fully disclosing future events, let’s just say there’s a lot i...

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Jan Brett is Coming to the Library!

Fort Smith Public Library is excited to host children’s author Jan Brett on Friday, December 6 at 5 pm.  Jan Brett is the New York Times #1 bestselling artist/author of over 35 picture books which have sold over 42 million copies combined. Her books have been chosen as “Best Children’s Books of the Year” by The New Yorker, Parents, Redbook, and others. 

 

This evening with the author will feature a drawing demonstration and discussion of Jan Brett’s newest book, The Tale of the Tiger Slippers. Inspired by Brett’s tiger research trip to India, it i...

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Macmillan Publishing eBook Embargo

As of November 1, 2019, Macmillan Publishers will no longer allow libraries to purchase more than ONE single copy of each new eBook for the first eight weeks following its release.  This will cause delays for our customers who get their eBooks via Library2Go, since the library typically buys multiple copies to satisfy user requests.  The Fort Smith Public Library will purchase the Macmillan titles when they become available, and will purchase additional copies if necessary after the eight-week embargo ends.  If you are interested in seeing a list of authors that publish ...

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Library receives $5000 Grant

The Fort Smith Public Library has received a $5000 grant from the FINRA Investor Education Foundation to purchase personal finance books. The grant was received earlier this year, and new books and materials are already on the shelves at all four library locations.

The additional tools and resources will help ensure that residents have the information they need when making critical money decisions as they repair, rebuild, and clean up following flooding events from earlier this summer or in future natural disasters. The FINRA Foundation has also provided the Library with multi...

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Crafting just makes people happy.

"The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health” was published in the American Journal of Public Health in February 2010 and discussed the relationship between health and the creative arts.  The study found that people participating in art experiences (music, visual arts, movement-based expression, and writing) see “increases in positive emotions” and “reductions in stress and anxiety.”  If you need a distraction from life, just experiencing the symphony, going dancing, or focusing on a craft project can reduce your stress and improve your health. 

At th...

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Have You Tried STEAM Team?

STEAM Team is a monthly program for children ages 8-12 who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math. The STEAM Team, led by Youth Services Assistant Leah Wineland, meets the first Monday of each month from 3:30 - 6 PM at the Main Library.  It’s a drop-in event that gives participants a chance to build fun stuff, be active, make art, and even make a mess!

On October 7, the STEAM Team will learn about the anatomy of the human hand.  STEAMers will create their own model of a skeleton hand which can be manipulated to discover h...

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Friends of the Library Chocolate Festival

Chocolate - Chocolate - Chocolate! The Friends of the Fort Smith Library will hold a Chocolate Festival Fundraiser at the Dallas Branch Library on Sunday, September 29th, from 2:30 – 4:30 PM.  Local clubs, businesses and individuals will offer their favorite chocolate samplings to the chocoholics of Fort Smith.

Tickets to the festival are $7 for six tastes of chocolate; price includes a to-go-box. Tickets may be purchased at the event or in advance at all Fort Smith Public Library locations and on Chocolate Festival event page. 

All proceeds from the Ch...

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Yo ho ho and a barrel of fun!

Ahoy, mateys!  September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day and the Miller Branch is celebrating with two fun pirate-themed events!  On Tuesday, September 17th, we are hosting a special nighttime storytime, complete with pirate stories, sea shanties, and games.  On Thursday, September 19th, little pirates can pop in anytime from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m.  to make some fun crafts and dine on cannonballs (Whoppers), fish (Goldfish), and Caribbean Sea water (juice) at our Crafternoon.

Want to impress your buddies by learning to speak like a pirate?  Your...

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In a library, not so far away...

On Saturday, July 13th, families and aliens alike gathered together at the Miller Branch and used the force to make creative crafts, play interesting games, and enjoy refreshing Wookie cookies and Jabba juice.  We even had some visitors from the 501st Legion - Greedo, a storm trooper, and a TIE fighter pilot - show up to partake in the fun!  The library got a little busy, so Greedo moved behind the circulation desk to check a few books out to customers.  

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Summer Reading = Prizes

Beat the heat of the summer at the Miller Branch – you might even win big!  The annual Fort Smith Public Library’s summer reading program is underway during the months of June and July and the library is doling out PRIZES for READING!  How fabulous is that?  Make summer reading a family event; everyone can partake in the summer reading program fun: children, teens, and adults!

How are we able to offer the summer reading program?  The U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services provides a grant to the Arkansas State Library.  Friends of the Library assist...

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The Library is on Instagram!

Did you know that the Library is now on Instagram?  Follow us at fortsmithlibrary to see the latest book suggestions, library news, event information, and more library fun! 

#thelibraryisopen

 

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