Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday is the observation of Martin Luther King Jr. Day - all state offices will be closed, including the Arkansas State Library.

The Little Rock Central High National Historic Site will hold several commemorative events on Monday.  For further information, visit their website.

A few reminders for the New Year

A new year is the perfect time to remind you about all the services available through the State Library Services Division of the Arkansas State Library.

• Public Access computers, with up to two hours of access a day
• A large circulating non-fiction collection and Arkansas collection
• Reference librarians available Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM in person or over the phone (although if you need an immediate answer you would be best to call before 4:30) (501) 682-2053
• The Ask a Librarian email form for reference questions that are less urgent.

For more information about the Arkansas State Library and our services, please visit our website, give us a call, or drop by for a visit.

Total Lunar Eclipse

Tonight is not only the winter solstice, but also a total lunar eclipse.  It will be visible (cloud conditions permitting) across all of North America.  The eclipse will begin at approximately 12:30 AM Central Time, and will last for 3.5 hours. For more information, including a chart that provides specific times for all the major North American time zones, go to Stardate.org.

Read!

Look what has popped up in downtown Little Rock! This picture was sent to us by the Arkansas Center for the Book. The website it recommends, www.read.gov, has reading suggestions for all ages, resources for parents and teachers, and links to interesting programs such as the Letters About Literature contest.  Our Arkansas Center for the Book has its own Letters About Literature page.  This year's contest entries must be postmarked by tomorrow, December 10th, so it might be too late to enter this year, but check back in 2011 for the next contest.  Please visit our web page for more information about the Arkansas Center for the Book.

Holiday Closure Schedule

The Arkansas State Library will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25 & 26, for the Thanksgiving holiday.  We will reopen on Monday at 8 AM.  In December, the library will be closed December 23rd & 24th, reopening on Monday the 27th, and closed on the 31st for New Year's holidays.  Any reference requests sent during that time may take a few extra days for a response.

Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.

New Website Reminder

Consider this a reminder to check out the new Arkansas State Library Website. There you can find information about scheduling a meeting in one of our meeting rooms, how to file the required state agency documents with our government documents section, and how to send in a reference request.  You can also find links to other informational sites and connect to our catalog to find books.

If you have any questions or suggestions about the new website, send them through the Ask a Librarian form and we will pass them on to the appropriate people.

Veteran's Day Closures and Events

Tomorrow is Veteran's day.  Some government offices and services will be closed or on reduced schedules.  All Federal, State and local government offices are closed, including post offices and mail delivery. 

From the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs website, information about ceremonies at the State Capitol:

The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs will present a Veterans Day ceremony on Thursday, November 11th, at 11:00 a.m., in the State Capitol rotunda.  This ceremony is to honor all veterans who have, and are serving this nation, whether in war and or peace.

Governor Mike Beebe will give the Veterans Day address.  Arkansas Veterans’ Commissioner Colonel Tom Thomas, U. S. Army, Retired, will be the Master of Ceremonies.  The 106th Arkansas Army National Guard Band will be providing the music and the Little Rock Air Force Base Color Guard will  present the colors.

This observance will be held on the second level of the State Capitol rotunda.  The tunnel entrance will be open with internal elevators to the second floor.  Wheelchair access is available through this entrance as well.  Veterans Day is a state holiday and there will be plenty of parking available.