National Family Literacy Month
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...
Halloween at Your Library!
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:
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Adopt a Reading Buddy!
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...
The Miller Branch has a seed catalog!
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...
Patriotic Books to Read on the 4th of July
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: ...
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month!
In the United States, we celebrate Asians and Pacific Islanders during the month of May. In 1977, two resolutions introducing Asian/Pacific American Heritage Weeks failed to pass Congress. In June 1978, Representative Frank Horton tried again – this time with a resolution suggesting that the president should “proclaim a week, which is to include the seventh and tenth of the month, during the first ten days in May of 1979 as ‘Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.’” That resolution passed and President Jimmy Carter signed it into law on October 5, 1978. Annually, presidents ...
National Library Week: Welcome to Your Library!
National Library Week is a time to remember how libraries and librarians contribute and promote library use in our communities and is celebrated in libraries across the nation every April. The week was first sponsored in 1958 by the National Book Committee (a partnership between the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers), with the theme “Wake Up and Read!” The National Book Committee disbanded in 1974, leaving the American Library Association to assume the full sponsorship.
This year’s theme is “Welc...
March is Women's History Month!
Women’s History Month celebrates the vast contributions that women have made throughout history. Beginning as a local festivity in California in 1978, President Carter issued the first Presidential Proclamation in 1980 and made it a national celebration. The week of March 8 was chosen to coincide with International Women’s Day. In 1987, Congress decided to extend the celebration to a month, creating Women’s History Month.
The theme for Women's History Month 2022 is Providing Healing, Providing Hope and is a tribute to all of the women who have provided heal...
The library is not the same without you.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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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