Blog Entries

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...

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 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...

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

Adventure Begins at Your Library

Adventure Begins at Your Library is this year’s summer reading theme, and all ages are invited to participate! The Fort Smith Public Library’s annual summer reading program for kids, teens, and adults will begin June 1. The program is one of the many ways the library works to create a community of readers and library users. Through fun themes, activities, and prizes, the summer reading program offers incentives for spending time reading or listening to books. The summer reading program begins June 1 and runs through July 31. Participants can drop by any l...

Happy Lunar New Year! Beginning on February 10 and lasting for 15 days, many cultures will celebrate the lunar new year. From paper lanterns to special dishes, the year of the Dragon is sure to be great. Join us in celebrating this holiday by attending a very special performance from Fort Smith's Noble 8 Lion Dance team. For more information about this event, click here. Before the celebration begins, why not check out one of the great titles below to prepare for the holiday? 

To check the availability of an item in the library's catalog, click on the book cover. 

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October might be filled with tasty treats, spooky stories, and fall colors, but did you know that National Cat Day is celebrated during this month? October 29th is the purr-fect day to appreciate our feline friends. Below are some great titles to help you prepare for this special day! 

For an extra special, cat-tastic treat, check out one of Ms. Robin's favorites- Six-Dinner Sid!

To check the availability of an item in the library's catalog, click on the book cover. 

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Celebrate Black History Month by revisiting some of our favorite stories! Watch the storytimes below to learn about about the lives, history, and culture behind this amazing and important celebration. Have fun discovering our diverse collection, and, after watching, come by any library location to find more wonderful books to honor Black History Month this February. 

Click on any book cover below to watch the storytime on FSPL's YouTube page. 

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Winter is getting closer, but how can you tell when winter is here? You may see birds flying south, but where do frogs, caterpillars, and slugs go when the temperature drops? Do you know which animals love the cold weather and which would rather nap all winter long? Before bundling yourself up to go play in the snow, pick up one of these books to find out the answers and learn more about the coolest season! 

To check the availability of an item in the library's catalog, click on the book cover. 

For an extra special winter treat, click here to watch Ms. Robin r...

Are you ready to read for fun and prizes?  

Are you ready for the Oceans of Possibilities summer reading program?  Dive in and sign up for the library's online reading program!  It's easy and fun!  Starfish Listeners can earn points by listening to books, and Dolphin Readers can earn points for time spent reading.  Register, track your reading progress, play games, and earn badges online at https://fortsmithlibrary.readsquared.com/.  Download the READsquared app (available for iOS and Android devices).

For more information,...

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.

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Are you ready to read and earn prizes?  

Are you ready for the Tails & Tales summer reading program?  It's time to sign up for the library's online reading program!  It's easy and fun!  Kids 12 and under can earn points for time spent reading.  Register, track your reading progress, and earn badges online at  https://fortsmithlibrary.readsquared.com/.  You will also be able to download the READsquared app (available for iOS and Android devices). For more information, watch this Tails & Tales video!

Log the ti...

It's Women's History Month and what better way to celebrate than with some great books about great women?  I love reading picture book biographies and have learned so much from them. You can too!  

Can You Answer These Questions?

Who was Mary Fields and how did she help settle the American west?

Who thought having a children's room in the library was important?

Who designed the Vietnam War Memorial?

Who are two of the greatest female tennis players of all time?

Who designed the Disney ride "It's a Small World"? Read Full Blog

Storytime with Matia

Have you seen any of Matia's storytimes?  Like a lot of good ideas, it came about almost by accident.  When the library staff recorded Happy in Our Skin, Matia did such a wonderful job that she was a natural choice to spotlight many of the diverse books in the library collection. When asked what storytime has meant to her, Matia states, "It has meant a lot to me to be able to read the many diverse stories that I do!   Each book I have read as a part of our diverse storytime, I have related to in one way or another. From having famil...

Can I tell you a secret? 

When I first began as the Youth Services Librarian in 2007, I was really nervous about storytime.  I'd spent the majority of my 22-year teaching career at Alma Primary School, first teaching Kindergarten then teaching library for many years.  But, as you know, there is a WORLD of developmental difference in toddlers and preschoolers and a kindergartner!  And there were parents!  How was I going to sing in front of parents?  After a few months, however, I became more comfortable and grew to truly love my storytime families. ...