![Mandala](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-11/mandala.jpg?itok=_gHDpQcl)
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...
![Jan Brett Bus](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-11/Jan%20Brett%20Bus.jpg?itok=Yl4oIFl8)
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...
![#ebooksForAll](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-11/eBooksForAll.jpg?itok=lMhQcS1G)
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 ...
![quarter pound chili dog](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-10/Dewey%27s%20Friday%20special%20%28Small%29.jpg?itok=BmFWoIRo)
The FALL menu is here!
It's taken a little while for our Fall weather to get here, but now that it is, our Fall menu is here too! Stop by to enjoy one of our daily sandwich specials; we offer new specials every quarter. Current offerings for Fall include:
Monday – Triple Cheese Ham Melt
Tuesday – Chicken Quesadilla Wrap
Wednesday – B.F.L. (Breakfast for Lunch)
Thursday – Ranch Chicken Salad
Friday – Quarter Pound Chili Dog
All sandwich specials are $6.50 and include your choice of chips, pickle, cookie, or an app...
![Library receives $5000 Grant](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-10/FNRA%20Blog%20photo.jpg?itok=Fwj1_QYJ)
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...
![Pumpkins painted using a pour paint technique](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-10/Pour%20Paint%20Pumpkins.jpg?itok=xGJaAH1D)
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...
![STEAM logo](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-10/STEAM_1.png?itok=XSRsifH5)
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...
![The Giver](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-10/the%20giver.jpg?itok=lXzGjU8l)
Classics Go Graphic
Over the past few years, a trend has emerged in the literary world: graphic novels. Though graphic novels are by no means new, they have taken on new content. Or, perhaps I should say, old content. While most readers are accustomed to illustrated pages depicting superhero tales and anime characters, several classic works of literature are going graphic. They’re the same stories, but they are now being told through comic panels and dialogue bubbles. Many stories have been deemed “Classics” for a reason: they’ve continuously earned their places on bookshelves over the years, proving that whil...
![box of chocolates](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-09/chocolate%20fest%20for%20blog.jpg?itok=hLX0XWdy)
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...
![Keep the Light On](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-09/keepthelighton.jpg?itok=QeKZOli9)
Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark. Keep the Light On!
For nearly four decades, Banned Books Week has been shedding light on literary censorship, urging readers to exercise their right to seek ideas and inspiration through books, despite some materials being considered socially or morally taboo. Held during the last week in September, this event unites authors, teachers, librarians, and readers in the fight for intellectual and creative freedom. This year, Banned Books Week is September 22- 28. In the spirit of keeping the light on, here are some of my favorite YA books that have been challenged over the years.
To Kill a M...
![Pirate at Talk Like a Pirate Day](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-08/Jozie.png?itok=pm1y15yS)
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...
![Pirate bulletin board](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-08/Pirate%20Bulletin%20Board.jpg?itok=nFkvQbVX)
Bulletin Boards That Inspire Reading
When you walk into the Youth Services Department of the Main Library, you will no doubt be delighted and amazed at the creative bulletin boards. Not only are these bulletin boards created by staff member Donna Watson a work of art, but they inspire reading as well. With the newest bulletin board, Donna has given a nod to International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19 to feature the real treasures of the world…..BOOKS! Be sure to stop in to see what’s new each month, and check out a few books while you're here.
...![Book Image](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-08/Book%20image.jpg?itok=q0OU_8Hd)
Dallas Branch Mini Book Sale
The Dallas Street Branch Library is currently hosting a mini book sale. Books for sale are mostly fiction items. Hardbacks, larger (trade) paperbacks, and small mass market paperbacks are available. Beginning today (Monday, August 12th) through Saturday, August 17th, book prices have been reduced to the following prices:
• Hardbacks $1.00 each
• Large (trade) paperbacks $0.50 each
• Small Mass Market Paperbacks $0.25 each
Be sure to stop by the branch and check them out!
...![woodstock week sign](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-08/woodstock%20week%20larger.jpg?itok=WW4JXcSD)
Woodstock Week @ Dewey's Café
Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Woodstock music festival with Dewey’s Café at the Fort Smith Public Library. The café will serve Woodstock and music-themed food and drinks including Purple Haze Italian cream soda, Butterfield blue smoothie, Santana banana smoothie, Canned Heat coffee (with hot sauce), Rock N Rolls (cinnamon rolls), and Grateful bread all week long. Daily prizes will be awarded from August 12th – 16th and customers will receive a free guitar pick with every purchase (while supplies last). Come visit the café to view Woodstock era décor; the s...
![Bottled water drive](/sites/default/files/styles/blog_featured/public/2019-07/water%20drive.jpg?itok=kfkqxbPl)
Bottled Water Drive
A bottled water drive for The Day Room at Next Step Homeless Services will be held during the month of August at all Fort Smith Public Library locations. Bottled water is essential for homeless clients, especially those unsheltered. As we continue to face much warmer weather, staying hydrated remains a daily challenge for the homeless. Cases of individual-sized bottles (16 ounces) are desired; feel free to drop off your donations at any Fort Smith Public Library Location. For library locations or more information on this or any of the Fort Smith Public Library’s services, ...