![Animals reading](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2020-05/EL-1.jpg?itok=qDHYk9Ov)
Imagine Your Story - - Summer Reading Program!
I hope so because the summer reading program is ready for you! The theme of our program is Imagine Your Story. This year, it's all online beginning on June 1 and ending on August 14! We have a really neat program called READsquared, and all you have to do is go to the READsquared website, register, and start reading (or listening!). For every minute you spend reading or listening, you will earn one point. Before you know it, you will have 1,000 points! When that happens, you will have earne...
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The library is not the same without you.
![Book tasting table](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2020-04/book-club-table-setting2.jpg?itok=ApGOfoSK)
Virtual Book Tasting
Hey guys! Leah here. Hopefully everyone is staying safe and healthy out there. This is certainly a time of adjustment, isn’t it? For us at the library, it has meant postponing events. But then we thought, “Just because we aren't able to host these events in person, that doesn’t mean they cannot happen at all.” As many of you have seen, the Fort Smith Public Library now has a YouTube channel with all kinds of fun Storytimes with Ms. Robin, Ms. Tiffany, and Ms. Rachel. If you check us out on Facebook, you’ll see the STEAM projects I’ve prepared, along with other helpful resources and act...
![Blackout Poetry](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2020-03/blackout_poetry_11.jpg?itok=RW6oFvTP)
Come Together (well, virtually)!
This is an interesting time, isn’t it? With the COVID-19 issue being so prevalent in the world, safety is the first priority. With that said, it’s also important to maintain some degree of normalcy. To all the teens out there, here are some ideas to host your own virtual Teen Lounge while maintaining your social distance:
First things first, you’ll need snacks. That goes without saying.
Next, come up with something you all can do “together” via FaceTime, Skype, Zoom, etc. It could be anything- get creative! Many crafts can be made out of stuff you already have at h...
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Hoopla
Welcome to hoopla, a digital media service that allows you to borrow movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks, comics, and TV shows to enjoy on your computer, tablet, or phone – and even your TV! With no waiting, titles can be streamed immediately, or downloaded to phones or tablets for offline enjoyment later. There are hundreds of thousands of titles to choose from, with more being added daily. Hoopla is like having your public library at your fingertips. Anytime. Anywhere.
Fort Smith Public Library customers will need their library card (in good standing; no fines of $2...
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Library Closed
The safety of our library customers, staff, and community is our top priority. To support efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19, all four locations of the Fort Smith Public Library will close at the end of the day Monday, March 16, and remain closed until further notice. Please check our Facebook page or the library website for updates.
Due dates for all materials currently checked out will be extended, and no overdue charges will accrue while the library is closed. Library staff will be available by phone and email to assist with family history and general r...
![Money Smart Week](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2020-03/Money%20Smart%20Week.jpg?itok=rD22Z2w8)
Money Smart Week
April 4-11, 2020 is Money Smart Week! Eight years ago, the American Library Association and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago teamed up to create Money Smart Week – a national public education program that promotes financial literacy. Last year, libraries in all 50 states participated by providing information and programming designed to help people learn how best to save, spend, and invest. Financial education is important at every age.
There are several programs being offered at the Fort Smith Public Library during Money Smart Week, that a...
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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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How Do New Books Get on the Library Shelf?
Ordering books for kids and teens is a constant responsibility of the Youth Services Librarian. Have you ever wondered how new books get ready to be checked out? The first step is to decide which new books to order. The budget for children's and teen books is funded through the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust, and there are many, many more books available to buy than what the budget allows. Some new books are an immediate “Yes!” For example, the latest Dog Man book or the newest Diary of a Wimpy Ki...
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Nuevo Libros en YA!
Exciting news! We have added several popular titles to our Young Adult collection. These include The Fault in Our Stars, The Harry Potter series, The Hate U Give, and many more. The exciting part? ¡Estos libros estan en español! Here at the library, we proudly offer Spanish editions of all genres for both niños y adultos. We recently discovered that our YA Spanish section needed some revamping, and we got right on it. There are now romantic novels, action-packed thrillers, coming-of-age stories, and age-old classics, all for our Spanish-speaking teens. We hope our customers enjoy ...
![Black History Month 2020 logo](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2020-01/Black%20History%20Month.jpg?itok=j1MZabpF)
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...
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 AppleA 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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Friends of the Library Store
Looking for a present for someone, or maybe for yourself? Check out our selection of books available in the Friends of the Library store. If you can't find what you are looking for in the store, check out the list of titles remaining from the Rare & Vintage book sale. Please email friends@fortsmithlibrary.org to inquire about a book on the list.
The Friends of the Library are people like you who believe in and support the Fort Smith Public Library as a valuable community resource. The Friends is a not-for-profit organization that raises funds...
![Best Books of 2019](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-12/Best%20Books%20of%202019.png?itok=Q5nERDLz)
Best Books Of 2019
Need a book to escape with this Christmas? Or do you need a book to add to your New Year's reading list? Check out these best books of 2019 lists.
BookBub Best Romance Books of 2019
Buzz Feed
Good Housekeeping
Goodreads Choice Awards
The New York Times
The New Yorker
NPR's Favorite Books of 2019
People
Time
Town & Country
If you are interested in reading a book on one of the lists that the library does not have and would like for us to tr...