Arkansas State Library is a special library that operates as a state agency within ArkansasState Government. It provides information resources for state agencies, legislators and legislative staffs. In addition, the Arkansas State Library provides guidance and support for the development of local public libraries and library services. Finally, the ASL provides resources, services, and leadership for the educational, informational and cultural needs of Arkansas citizens. The current Arkansas State Librarian is Carolyn Ashcraft.
History
The state legislature created the Arkansas Library Commission in 1935. Funding began in 1937. The commission operated from headquarters in Little Rock. It loaned collections of books via postal mail, advised on acquisitions, and gave grants to new or expanding libraries. In 1979 the legislature replaced the commission with the newly established Arkansas State Library.
General public
The Arkansas State Library offers various programs and services for the general public, including Arkansas Center for the Book, Bookreporter.com, Document Collection, Information about the Arkansas General Assembly, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped; Information Services such as reference assistance and Ask a Librarian, Library Card registration, Online Catalog, assistance with Patents and Trademarks, Resource Assistance In Seeking Employment, social media ; Newsletter, Public Library Directory, Summer Reading Program, and the Traveler Online Database Program.
Librarians and trustees
The ASL provides librarians and library trustees with numerous services, such as the Arkansas Center for the Book, Bibilostat Collect and Bibliostat Connect Log-in, Federal & State Documents, E-rate Assistance for Public Libraries, Grant Information, ILL, and the Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
State government employees and legislators have access to the State Library's online databases, reference assistance, federal and state documents; and may benefit from using Inter-library Loan, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, and overall information services.
Teachers and students
Many services are offered for teachers and students, including America's Story from America's Library, Arkansas Center for the Book, Arkansas Department of Education, Ben's Guide to U.S. Government for Kids , Book Awards & Reading Lists, and Letters about Literature.
