Blog Entries

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...

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...

It is officially summer! School is out, Parrot Island is open, and the Teen Summer Lottery has begun. The Teen Summer Lottery is our version of a summer reading program for people between the ages of 13 and 18. If you are 12 years old, you get to choose between participating in the Children's Summer Reading Program or the Teen Summer Lottery.

You may sign up at any library location at any time during the Lottery, which runs from June 1-July 31. It is best to sign up at the location where you will pick up your prizes. 

 

How It Works

The rules ...

Neil Gaiman once wrote that "a library is a place that is a repository of information and gives every citizen equal access to it. That includes health information." Mental health conditions are common among teens and young adults. 1 in 5 teens and young adults live with a mental health condition. At the Fort Smith Public Library, we want to help teens find the information and stories they need to understand mental health. 

National Mental Health Awareness Month

Since May is National Mental Health Awareness month, we want to raise awareness of mental health and fi...

 

Every April we celebrate National Poetry Month, which was started by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. 

National Poetry Month aims to encourage people to read poems, increase the attention paid to poetry by the media, and encourage support for poets and poetry. For more information about the Academy of American Poets’ celebration, visit their website.

Keep reading to find out how you can celebrate National Poetry Month at the library. 

 

Blackout Poetry at the Library

This April at the Main Library&nbs...

Spring is coming in hot and bringing some hot new releases.   Check out our most anticipated new releases hitting the YA section.

Back at it after her mega-hit The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas released On the Come Up in February, and we couldn’t wait to get our hands (and eyes) on it.

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. It’s hard to get your come up, though, when you’re labeled “trouble” at school and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. But Bri’s success is all that stands between her family and homele...