Blog Entries

In this unusual world we're living in right now, there's always something we can count on: books!  From Christmas to Hanukkah, animals to space, poetry to sports, there are so many wonderful books to experience.  A fun way to share the joy of books is to sponsor one in your loved ones' name through our annual Perfect Gift fundraiser.  Our library kiddos love to see the label in the front of the book with their name on it!  Since my grandchildren don't live here, I like to sponsor a book in their name then buy them a copy of the book to keep.  I tell them that "...

Let’s celebrate Picture Book Month by reading at least one picture book a day.  Here are some your librarians’ and library staff member's favorite picture books to get you started. 

If YOU have a favorite picture book, let us know.  We would like to read your favorites too!

The Color Kittens and Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton

Stellaluna by Janell Cannon

Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon by David Catrow

The Five-Dog Night by...

There are many wonderful awards that books can earn, but one that is particulary special is the one that is voted on by the children of each state.  For younger children, Oklahoma has the Sequoyah Book Award, Wyoming has the Buckaroo Book Award, Arizona has the Grand Canyon Reader Award and Arkansas has the Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award.  (You can find a complete list of the state awards here.)  

Arkansas students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grade have been casting their vote for the Charlie May...

We have some great virtual programs for kids and teens this summer.  Here are a few of our featured online events ... for more virtual programming of all kinds, please checkout our events calendar, Facebook page, and YouTube Channel. 

Animalogy: A Day in the Life of Animalogy Animals!

Wednesday, June 3, 2 PM, Facebook LIVE - Available for viewing on the library's Facebook page through August 31

Imagine your story through the eyes of live animals!  Join our friends from Animaloyg/NHECM for a Facebook Live event.  You will spend a "day in...

I hope so because the summer reading program is ready for you! The theme of our program is Imagine Your Story. This year, it's all online beginning on June 1 and ending on August 14!  We have a really neat program called READsquared, and all you have to do is go to the READsquared website, register, and start reading (or listening!).   For every minute you spend reading or listening, you will earn one point.  Before you know it, you will have 1,000 points!  When that happens, you will have earne...

Ordering books for kids and teens is a constant responsibility of the Youth Services Librarian. Have you ever wondered how new books get ready to be checked out?  The first step is to decide which new books to order.  The budget for children's and teen books is funded through the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust, and there are many, many more books available to buy than what the budget allows. Some new books are an immediate “Yes!”  For example, the latest Dog Man book or the newest Diary of a Wimpy Ki...

The Year of the Rat begins January 25th!  Make plans to celebrate Chinese New Year by joining Ms. Robin and special guest Hui Wang Apple for a fun Saturday storytime on January 25 at 10:30 am.  The storytime will be followed by crafts and special displays.  Bring the family and join the celebration!

A native of China, Hui Wang Apple has lived in Fort Smith area since 1999. She works as a private Math/ Language tutor.  She is also a Certified Public Accountant.  Hui is a member of First United Methodist Church. She is also enjoys vol...

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...

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...

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.

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...

The children’s summer reading program encourages reading for pleasure and is designed to minimize summer learning loss. The objective of the summer reading program is to keep kids actively engaged in reading while encouraging family involvement at the same time. Preschool children who are too young to read independently can also participate. Because the best way to raise a reader is to read to a child, they will receive credit for the books read to them.  The theme this year is A Universe of Stories, so get ready for a universe of fun!

April is National Poetry Month!  It is the largest literary celebration in the world and is celebrated by readers, students, teachers, librarians, booksellers, publishers, bloggers, and, of course, poets (poets.org). Poetry holds an important place in our culture and our lives. Poetry has a special place in our children’s lives as well.  Some of the first poems babies hear are Mother Goose rhymes such as Patty Cake, This Little Piggy and Mary Had a Little Lamb.  The rhythm, rhyme, and parental interaction are all bricks in the foundation of early literacy skill...

What happens at the library after the lights go out?  Bring your favorite stuffed animal to the library for our annual Pajama Storytime & Stuffed Animal Sleepover and maybe you will find out!  Kids of all ages and their families are invited to the Miller Branch Library on Tuesday, March 26th at 5:30 PM for a very special bedtime storytime.  Children are encouraged to wear pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal friend.  After everyone enjoys some bedtime stories, songs, and a craft, the stuffed animals will then have the opportunity to stay at the library for a s...

Join us at the Main Library during spring break week, March 18 – 21, for a variety of fun FREE programs and events! Rain or shine, we will be having a great time at the library.

Lego Club – Monday, March 18, 5 – 6 PM

Kids, Tweens, and Teens are invited to this awesome program to design, create, and build unique creations with the LEGO Club!  LEGO Club is free and all supplies are provided – just bring your imagination! 

I Spy @ the Library! - Tuesday, March 19, 9 AM – 9 PM

What can you spy with your eye?  Grab your magnifying glass ...