Blog Entries

"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 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.

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!

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...

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, ...

We are pleased to announce that Miss Leah will be the Main library's new teen specialist. She will be taking over Teen Lounge, STEAM Team, and LEGO Club. 

Leah has a passion for adventure, and a strong desire to learn something new everyday. She hopes to encourage and inspire teens to fully explore themselves and the vast world around them. Her aim is to provide an inclusive, fun, and safe environment for teens to relax, get creative, and socialize. All teens are welcome to join Leah's programs, all aimed to promote literacy and confidence. 

Leah...

In an interview with the New York Times, James Holzhauer, who dominated the game show Jeopardy for many weeks and earned $2,462,216, shared how he prepared for the show.  “I have a strategy of reading children’s books to gain knowledge. I’ve found that in an adult reference book, if it’s not a subject I’m interested in, I just can’t get into it.  I was thinking, what is the place in the library I can go to get books tailored to make things interesting for uninterested readers? Boom. The children’s section.”

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing on Ju...

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.  

Author Anita Paddock will appear at the Miller Branch Library (8701 South 28th Street) on Monday, July 22, from 2 - 4 PM for a book signing event. Author of the popular true crime novels Blind Rage and Closing Time, Anita’s brand-new true crime release is Cold Blooded, the true story of the murder of four people in the Arkansas River Bottoms. 

On a cold January morning in 1981, a knock on an apartment door began what would become one of the bloodiest crime sprees in Arkansas history.  In the coming days the bodies of newlyweds Larry and Jawana Price, businessman Holly Ge...

Beat the heat of the summer at the Miller Branch – you might even win big!  The annual Fort Smith Public Library’s summer reading program is underway during the months of June and July and the library is doling out PRIZES for READING!  How fabulous is that?  Make summer reading a family event; everyone can partake in the summer reading program fun: children, teens, and adults!

How are we able to offer the summer reading program?  The U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services provides a grant to the Arkansas State Library.  Friends of the Library assist...