CALS News & Announcements
News Archive
Main Library Youth Services Department to Close for Renovation
The Youth Services Department will get a face lift this summer. The Central Arkansas Library System’s Youth Services Department will close July 26—August 8 for renovation. Regular operation and programming will resume on August 9, or when planned updates are complete. Call 918-3050 to confirm the reopening date.
More information »
posted July 15, 2010
Book Talk Will Feature Barefoot Expert
L. Daniel Howell, PhD, will present his book, The Barefoot Book: 50 Great Reasons to Kick Off Your Shoes, at a book talk on Friday, July 16, at noon, at the Central Arkansas Library System's Cox Creative Center 3rd floor meeting room, 120 River Market Avenue. The program is co-sponsored by the Little Rock Marathon Training Group. Books will be available for purchase and signing. Drinks and cookies will be provided at the brown bag lunch program.
More information »
posted July 5, 2010
July FOCAL Book Sale Offers Additional Discounts to Teachers and Librarians
Teachers and librarians with school identification will receive an extra 25% off their purchases in the Main Library basement during FOCAL's used book sale July 16-18. FOCAL members will receive 50% off "gently read" books throughout the sale and 25% off new books and merchandise at River Market Books & Gifts.
More information »
posted July 5, 2010
Library Announces Election
The Library hasn't held an election like this in fifteen years. Back then the issue before the voters was what writers would be on the exterior of the new Main Library. This election we want the voters to select the writers to be incorporated into the remodeled 5th floor of the Central Arkansas Library System's Main Library. The new floor will become the Main reading room for the downtown Library.
More information »
posted June 24, 2010
Book Appraisal Night Brings Treasures to Light
All books are treasures, but some have higher resale price tags than others. Allan Stypek, former co-host of the radio show The Book Guys, will be featured at a Book Appraisal Evening on Thursday, July 8, at 6:30 p.m. in the Main Library’s Darragh Center at the Fred K. Darragh Distinguished Lecture.
More information »
posted June 16, 2010
World Wide Knit in Public Day
Since 2005, over 800 events have been held around the world to celebrate this event. On June 19, observe World Wide Knit in Public Day with the Central Arkansas Library System. CALS will hold knitting events on the Main Campus from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Events will be located on the lawn and in the Arkansas Studies Institute, Room 110.
More information »
posted June 1, 2010
Aerospace Library to Close
The Aerospace Library of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will close permanently at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 27.
More information »
posted May 26, 2010
CALS Director to Speak at "Art of Architecture" Series
Bobby Roberts, director of the Central Arkansas Library System, will speak on "Architectural Design for Public Spaces: CALS, a Case Study". His talk will focus on CALS' role as as a client, its working with architects to create some of Central Arkansas's most architecturally significant buildings.
More information »
posted May 6, 2010
Pardon Our Dust
Beginning April 2010 and continuing through Summer 2011, CALS will be renovating and reorganizing the Main Library to better accommodate the needs of our community and to better serve as a principal source of information, education and entertainment for the people of central Arkansas.
More information »
posted April 21, 2010
How Can I Afford Retirement?
The Garrison Financial Institute in the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas is collaborating with the Central Arkansas Library System to host two of "How Can I Afford Retirement?" series of workshops. The workshops are noncommercial, free, and open to the public but participants must register in advance.
More information »
posted April 21, 2010
Chris Olsen of Botanica Gardens to Appear at CALS
Chris Olsen, manager of Botanica Gardens, will bring his expertise and enthusiasm to two events at the Central Arkansas Library System. More information ».
posted April 12, 2010
Aerospace Library to Reduce Public Service Hours
The Aerospace Library of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will reduce public service hours beginning on Monday, April 12, 2010. More information ».
posted March 15, 2010
CALS Makes Donation for Earthquake Relief Effort
The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) has donated $10,758.68 to assist victims of the earthquake in Haiti through the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. More information ».
posted March 1, 2010
CALS Begins Conversion to RFID System
The Amy Sanders Branch of the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will be closed February 22-27 to complete conversion to a system utilizing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. While the Sanders Branch is closed, patrons may use any other CALS location for checking out or returning items, placing or picking up holds, or computer access. More information ».
posted February 22, 2010
Arkansas Literary Festival to Host Over 85 Authors and Presenters at Seventh Annual Festival
Readers and writers alike will find plenty of interesting authors and topics at the Arkansas Literary Festival April 8-11 at the Main Library campus and other downtown venues. The seventh annual Festival is guaranteed to be a stimulating mix of authors, panels, special events, performances, workshops, and more. More information ».
posted February 18, 2010
Central Arkansas Library System Celebrates 100 Years of Service to the Community
Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will celebrate its 100th anniversary on February 2, 2010. The system will mark this historic milestone with projects, programs and events throughout the year. More information ».
posted February 10, 2010
Central Arkansas Library System Director to Receive Lions' Vision Award
Dr. Bobby Roberts, director of the Central Arkansas Library System, will receive the ninth annual Vision Award from the World Services for the Blind Foundation on Thursday, November 12. The event will be held from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel in downtown Little Rock. More information ».
posted January 15, 2010
CALS Proposes Service Reduction to Conform to Supreme Court Decision on Tax Collection
Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will host a public meeting at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 14 in the Main Library's Darragh Center to discuss service reduction to conform to the recent Supreme Court's decision regarding the collection of library property taxes in 2008. Action on these proposals will take place after approval of the CALS Board of Trustees on Thursday, January 28. More information ».
posted January 2, 2010
CALS Offers 'Books by Mail' to Homebound Patrons
The Central Arkansas Library System is offering a free "Books by Mail" service to those who live in Pulaski and Perry Counties, but are unable to leave home because of a temporary or permanent disability. More information ».
posted December 1, 2009
Dee Brown Library to hold resume writing workshop
A professional writing instructor will lead a resume writing workshop from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday, October 19 at Dee Brown Library, 6325 Baseline Road in southwest Little Rock. More information ».
posted October 5, 2009
Charlaine Harris to give Darragh Lecture
Important Location Update
Charlaine Harris will present the Fred K. Darragh Lecture on November 12 at 6:30 p.m., in the University Theatre on the campus of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock (map & directions »).
The Fred K. Darragh Distinguished Lecture was established in 1998 in honor of Mr. Darragh's contributions to public libraries. He served on the CALS board, including service as Board President. The lectures reflect Mr. Darragh's interest in civil liberties, international friendship and education.
For reservations, call 918-3029 or email CALS.
posted September 30, 2009
World of Warcraft Meet & Greet
October 10, 2009 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm, at the Main Library. Come join your fellow denizens of Azeroth and learn about the WoW-related resources and programs the Library provides. More information »
posted September 15, 2009
New Database Available
CALS has added Facts on File's World News Digest to its Reference and Research sources. World News Digest provides an archival record of domestic and international news, covering major political, social, and economic events since November 1940. You'll only need your library card number to access this great resource. More magazine & journal databases »
posted September 8, 2008
New Library Cafe Now Open
Little Rock residents have a new place to enjoy lunch with friends or a casual cup of coffee and a favorite book. Bookends Cafe, the Library's literary cafe, is open for business in the Cox Creative Center. In addition to having fresh lunch options, Bookends Cafe offers ice cream, hand-made milkshakes, smoothies, and a variety of coffee drinks. Hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Saturday. More information »
posted September 8, 2009
CALS Selected to Showcase Abraham Lincoln Exhibit
The Central Arkansas Library System has been selected as one of 25 libraries from across the nation to feature the exhibit Lincoln: The Constitution and the Civil War. The Main Library will have the exhibit in-house December 2010 through January 2011. Read more »
posted September 2, 2009
Join us on Facebook!
The Central Arkansas Library System now has a Facebook pages for its branches! Visit any of our branch location pages and click on the "Facebook" tab to see latest entries. And don't forget to click on "Become a Fan" to receive all our posts on your Facebook page.
posted August 28, 2009
CALS Implements Changes in Confidentiality Act
In accordance with changes in the Arkansas Library Confidentiality Act 757 of the General Assembly, which amended Arkansas Code 13-2-704, Central Arkansas Library System patrons aged 18 and older can appoint a designee for the purpose of picking up items placed on hold by the cardholder, or for viewing and paying the cardholder's fines. Changes in the law take effect July 31, 2009. Read more »