Blog Entries

National Poetry Month began in April 1966 and was introduced by the Academy of American Poets.  It serves as a reminder of the vast role that poetry plays in our culture and that poetry is important.  The month has grown into the largest literary celebration in the world, with tens of millions of people participating!

You can celebrate National Poetry month with children by exploring rhymes, songs, and verse.  Check out some of these recommended books in verse and start engaging your children in poetry.  If you'd like to check the availability of a book in our ...

When the movie credits have rolled across the screen, the tears have dried, and the final notes of the ending theme song have faded, how do you find out what happens to Tanjiro, Nezuko, and the others? Thanks to the newest addition to the Youth Services collection, you can return to the world of Demon Slayer before watching the newest season! All 23 volumes of Demon Slayer : Kimetsu no Yaiba -- plus a Special Report booklet filled with concept art, character charts, and more- are now available to check out!

To check an item's availability in the libra...

Meet Jimena! 

Jimena is another awesome Page that works in Youth Services! Just like our other pages, Jimena is responsible for assisting library customers and answering questions. 

Jimena is a junior at Northside High School and plays the flute for the Northside Grizzly Band. She has played the flute for five years and says she has no plans to stop anytime soon! After school, she likes to come home and relax with her cat and dog. Although it can be hectic between band, school, and work, Jimena loves working at the library. For her, the libra...

Meet An!

An is another Page who works in Youth Services. Just like Ellie, An is responsible for shelving books, answering questions, and helping library customers!  

In her spare time, An likes to play video games, listen to music, paint with watercolors, and take morning bike rides through her neighborhood. An's favorite genre is fantasy fiction, and she's a big fan of Roald Dahl. For An, working in the library is great because she is surrounded by wonderful and inspiring people that have helped her!  

Here a...

 

It's the end of 2021!  Take a look at the most circulated juvenile and adult books at the Miller Branch for the year.  To check availability of an item in the library's catalog, click on the book cover.

 

 

 

 

 

Juvenile: Adult: ...

National Family Literacy Month is celebrated every November and is a way to encourage families to read and learn together.  Use this month to create a bond with your family while improving family members' literacy.  Need some ideas to get started?  Try one (or all) of these!

Cozy up and read a book.  Grab your family, some hot chocolate, and take turns reading.  If you have older children, pick out a chapter book that you can enjoy all month long. Enjoy listening to audiobooks on Library2Go and Hoopla.  Do you have any trips planned?  Chec...

Meet Ellie!  

Ellie is a Page in the Youth Services Department. A Page takes care of putting books back on the shelf and helping others with whatever they need whether that's finding books or answering questions. Ellie is one of best! 

Ellie is a senior at Southside High School, editor of the yearbook, and is a Slytherin (but has some Ravenclaw tendencies). In her spare time, Ellie likes to read, do puzzles, and drive around listening to Taylor Swift with her friends. She also plans to double major in English and History when she goes to...

It's that eery time of the year again!  Come visit the Fort Smith Public Library to pick out some spooky books and videos to put you in the Halloween spirit.  Don't forget to trick-or-treat us!

Trick or Treating at Your Library on October 31st:

Branches: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Main Library: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Below are our spooky book suggestions.  To check availability in our catalog, simply click on the book cover.

Children's:

...

The Fort Smith Public Library now offers home access to ABCmouse.com.

ABCmouse.com offers the most comprehensive online curriculum for children ages 2-8+, including reading and language arts, math, beginning science, social studies, art, and music. 

The ABCmouse curriculum is designed to help young children (ages 2-8+) build a strong foundation for future academic success. ABCmouse is 100% educational, with more than 10,000 learning activities across all major subject areas: reading, math, science, social studies, art, and music—including more than 1,200 of those le...

Sometimes children face huge challenges in life. 

They may not understand why they can't hug their friends the way they used to. They may be placed in a foster home.  They may have an incarcerated parent.  They may experience homelessness.  They may be in a household with abusive behavior.  Although books cannot solve everything, perhaps they can help.  The following titles are highly recommended, and they are available for check-out at the library.  Click on the book to access the title in our online catalog.

...

September is LIBRARY CARD SIGN-UP MONTH! 

Residents of Fort Smith who are aged 5 and older can receive a FREE library card!  Children who are getting their first library card will also receive a free book that they can keep – no returns necessary!  For information on how sign up for a Fort Smith Public Library card, click here.

To celebrate Library Card Sign-Up Month, the Miller Branch has reading buddies for children to “adopt” from the library.  The only criteria required is that the child agrees to read to their reading buddy for 20 minutes every day.&nbs...

BORROW, PLANT, HARVEST, & RETURN

The Miller Branch has started a seed catalog.  Every other month, we are offering a different packet of seeds that you can take home and plant.  Earlier this year sunflower and pumpkin seeds were passed out.  Now, during the month of August, we are handing out packets of broccoli seeds.

Don’t know how to grow broccoli?  No problem!  

If you are planning on starting your seeds outdoors, you’ll need to sow the seeds ½ inch deep and 3 inches apart, in a spot with full sun.  Once the seedlings are 2 o...

Happy Independence Day! 

These books will help get you into the Fourth of July spirit!  To check availability of each title, simply click on the book cover or go to our online catalog.  Also, be sure and watch the next episode of What to Read Next on July 3rd, available on our YouTube channel and Facebook page, when we will highlight several of these titles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Books for Adults: ...

Do you enjoy a little popcorn with your library?  Check out our new Binge Boxes!  Binge Boxes are 5 – 6 movies grouped by theme into one DVD set.  Binge Boxes are available for both adults and kids. A complete list of “Binge Boxes” available in the library collection is listed below. Please visit our catalog  to place a hold today.

Enjoy a FREE bag of (microwave) popcorn and a popcorn box when you check out your Binge Box, while supplies last!

1) Never Travel with Tom Hanks:

Cast Away, Captain Phillips, Apollo 13, Sully

 ...

Hey Teens! 

Are you ready for summer?  This school year has been a challenge in many ways, but it's almost over.  Don't put down all your books, though. If you like to read (books, e-books, and/or audio books) AND like to win stuff, the Teen Summer Reading Program is for you! Tails & Tales begins June 1st, so make plans to participate.

SRP is Online

Like last year, the teen summer reading program is online! One book equals 100 points.  For every 100 points you earn, you'll be entered into a weekly drawing for a $10 gift card AND earn an entry int...