Blog Entries

We had some great times at the library this year, and hope you did too!  We offer you these snapshots chronicling the seasons at the library, from the great eclipse, summer reading, retirements, the Chocolate Festival, Black Tie Bingo, fun with goats, and more.  We enjoyed sharing these memorable moments with our library customers and community, and look forward to another great year at the Fort Smith Public Library in 2025!  

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When we think about the history of the Fort Smith Public Library, the original Carnegie City Library at 318 North 13th Street may come to mind most often.  The story of Fort Smith’s first truly public library is an interesting one, and many people in our area have vivid memories of visiting the Carnegie Library with its magnificent stairs, impressive music room, and longtime library director Miss Gladys Krone. 

The belief by community leaders in the importance of the public library and their persistence in tirelessly advocating, first for its existence and then for its growt...

As we wrap up 2024, let's take a look at the young adult fiction books that circulated the most at the Fort Smith Public Library throughout the year!  Sarah Maas and Suzanne Collins were a couple of the favorite authors.  Take a look at the list below and if you would like to check availability on any of the items, simply click on the book cover to be taken to the library's online catalog.  What will you check out in 2025?          ...

As we wrap up 2024, let's take a look at the children's books that had the most circulations at the Fort Smith Public Library throughout the year!  Bluey, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Dog Man, and Pete the Cat were some of the top favorites!  Take a look at the lists below and if you would like to check availability on any of the items, simply click on the book cover to be taken to the library's online catalog.  What will you check out in 2025?Top Picture Books 

 

         

 

Top Chapter Books    ...

Holiday Happenings

Holiday Open House – Sunday, December 8, 1 – 5 PM, Main Library!

We invite you and your family to celebrate the holiday season with us at our 22nd Annual Holiday Open House!  Join us at the Main Library for a festive afternoon of music, crafts, games, stories, holiday displays, light refreshments, and other entertainment for children and adults. There will be special activities to delight all ages throughout the entire afternoon. This Holiday Open House is free to all . . . don’t forget to bring a non-perishable food item for the Holiday Food Drive!

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The history of the Fort Smith Public Library has been a hobby/passion/interest of mine since I became library director in 2004. Today’s FSPL began with the opening of the Carnegie City Library on January 1, 1908, the first of what would be four Carnegie libraries in Arkansas. The first librarian was named Starr Weaver. I know from reading the minutes of the library board meetings how hard she worked to open Fort Smith’s first public library.

One of the things I like to do is collect postcards of our library. I like them best when they have messages on them and have been sent throu...

November is DINOvember and the dinosaurs are invading the Fort Smith Public Library!  Join us for some fun dinosaur-themed events at the library during the month!

The dinosaurs are busy playing and making messes around the library.  Can you find them all on our Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt?  Let one of the library staff members know when you locate them all and get a fun dinosaur reROARd (reward)!  The Dinosaur Scavenger Hunt is available all month during library hours.

Bibliosaurus the Dinosaur will be visiting the Main Library on Sunday, November 10...

We invite you to bring your little ghosts, superheroes, Barbies, and Blueys to the library for trick-or-treating on Thursday, October 31, 9 AM – 8 PM at the Main Library, and 9 AM – 5 PM at the library branches!  In the meantime, get in the spirit by attending one of our FREE Halloween or autumn-themed programs.  Space may be limited at some programs.  For more details, visit our events page.

Book Character Pumpkin Decorating Contest

October 1 – October 28 – Main Library

Entry forms available online or at the Main Library

October Cr...

In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson initiated Hispanic Heritage Week, which was later expanded to Hispanic Heritage Month in 1988 by President Ronald Reagan. This observance takes place from September 15th to October 15th.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Fort Smith Public Library!  On September 26th, we are partnering with Fort Kids and UAFS for another bilingual storytime!  Be sure and check out some of the following titles, too, and celebrate at home by reading a book!  Click on a picture to see if the book is available in the library's catalog. Read Full Blog

You are invited to help us celebrate Mae and Jon Wellnitz and send them off into retirement with all our best wishes. Join us at the Main Library on Wednesday, September 25, from 2 - 4 p.m. This is a drop-in event, but remarks will be made at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Mae and Jon have been with the Fort Smith Public Library collectively for more than 50 years! Before they leave us, we decided to ask them a few questions. Read on to hear Mae and Jon’s library memories, favorite books, their thoughts on the library, and more.

Q. & A. with Mae ...

You are invited to help us celebrate Ms. Robin and send her off into retirement with all our best wishes. Join us at the Main Library on Sunday, August 18, from 2 - 4 p.m. This is a drop-in event, but remarks will be made at 2:30 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Ms. Robin has been with the library for more than 17 years. Before she leaves us, we decided to ask her a few questions. Read on to find out what Ms. Robin's favorite books are, her thoughts on the library, and more.

Q. & A. with Ms. Robin

You were a media specialist in a public school bef...

New!  FREE pass to the U.S. Marshals Museum for Fort Smith Public Library card holders.

Through a partnership with the U.S. Marshals Museum, the library now offers a free pass to the U.S. Marshals Museum! The pass is available for check out by library cardholders at the Main Library, and is good for admission for up to 4 people. This pass is available on a first-come, first-served basis and it cannot be reserved. Read on for the “fine print.”

The pass is good for admission for up to 4 people The pass can be checked out by customers age 18 or older The pass is ch...

Do you remember all the fun you used to have at the library when you were a kid?  We have good news for you -- we offer summer fun for all ages at the Fort Smith Public Library!  Adults can learn how to make mocktails, join us for a scrapbooking party, play BINGO, take part in a variety of crafting programs, join a book club, and a whole lot more.  All programs are free but space may be limited at some.  For more details, visit our events calendar.

Explore Your Family History: Land Records

Tuesday, June 4, 5:30 - 7:30 PM - Main Library

Adult C...

Hey Teens!

Ready to read for fun and prizes? Whether you like to read books, e-books, or listen to audiobooks (or all three!) AND like to win stuff, the Adventure Begins at Your Library Teen Summer Reading Program is for you! 

Register on Readsquared

One book (books, e-books, and audiobooks) equals 100 points. For every 100 points you earn, you’ll be entered into a weekly drawing for a gift card AND earn an entry into the end-of-summer grand prize drawing. The more you read, the more chances you’ll have to win. Register and track your reading progress at https://fortsmi...

Are you ready for the Adventure Begins at Your Library summer reading program?

Are you ready to read for fun and prizes? Grab a friend and sign up for the library’s online reading program! It’s easy AND fun! Listeners can earn points by listening to books, and independent readers can earn points for time spent reading. Register, track your progress, play games, and earn badges online at https://fortsmithlibrary.readsquared.com/. Download the READsquared app (available for iOS and Android devices). If you prefer paper, click here for listeners or here for independent readers. Read Full Blog