Note from the Director
Dear community members,
As usual, with the season ramping up, so are offerings from your favorite library! If you're looking for something to do tonight, our beloved former library director Loretta Crenshaw will be reading an excerpt from Donald Harington's Architecture of the Arkansas Ozarks at Gotahold Brewing at 5:30PM. In May, we will host "The Story of Eureka Springs and the Railroads," in the Library Boulevard Bookend presented by Mike Sypult. See more information on both of these events below.
Shout out to Hayes Electric for doing a beautiful job updating the Boulevard Bookend with illuminated exit signs and emergency lights. Thank you for keeping us safe!
I have updated the information on several bills (see below) that would have detrimental effects on library services. We greatly appreciate any support our patrons can give by contacting representatives on these issues.
All my best,
Christina Danos
(photo by Tavi Ellis)
It's Seed Planting Time!
We have updated our seed catalog for this growing season with lots of new plants, including container gardening varieties!
Click HERE to view it, and either email your order or stop by to select your free seeds soon! We also have gardening tools available to checkout for one week each. Happy Gardening!
Advocacy Alert
A list of current legislation that will negatively affect libraries if passed:
Federal Level:
*President Trump signed an Executive Order on March 14th that would eliminate the only federal agency dedicated to funding library services, the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This White House announcement orders that seven agencies, including the IMLS, be eliminated to the maximum extent of the law, and the agencies are ordered to reduce their services and personnel to the minimum amount required to perform the functions required by law. The announcement also orders the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reject any budget requests from IMLS (and the other six named agencies) other than funds needed to shut down the agency.
State Level:
* SB181 - Amends the library law to remove the requirement of a Master's Degree for the State Librarian and Regional Library System Administrators. This could allow unqualified persons to fill these important leadership roles.
*PASSED 3/3/25
* SB184 - To abolish the State Library Board and transfer its powers and duties to the Department of Education. This would remove the programs, guidance, and oversight that the State Library Board provides to all the libraries in the state.
*REPLACED BY SB536
*SB536 - To abolish the Arkansas State Library, to abolish the State Library Board; to transfer certain powers and duties of the Arkansas State Library to the Department of Education and the Arkansas State Archives. This would make Arkansas the ONLY state without a State Library, which could result in the state missing opportunities other states have. It would remove the autonomy of the library department, moving it under the purview of politicians.
*FAILED in House Committee 4/9/25
*SB640 - To reconstitute the Arkansas State Library Board. This would terminate all current members of the State Library Board, and the Governor would immediately appoint seven new members. While board members are regularly chosen by governors, their terms are staggered so that no one governor appoints all members. This would change that, giving Governor Sarah Sanders the power to appoint all members. Most would agree this is attempted government overreach and will not guarantee a board that represents the varied viewpoints of all Arkansans.
*PASSED in House Committee 4/14/25 - on Agenda for full House vote 4/15/25
Thanks to donations from our First Friday Book Club members, this memorial bench for Mac was assembled and placed in the library garden by our trusty groundskeeper, Don Matt. The beautiful plaque was created by Dustin Griffith and reads:
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..." -Thoreau
Charles "Mac" McAlister
Feb 23, 1936 - Aug 3, 2024
Oral History Project Update
Our goal is to migrate all the Oral History Project recordings to our YouTube channel. CLICK HERE to see our progress!
Science + Philosophy Discussion Groups
Join us in Meeting Room #1* on Wednesdays at 2:30 PM (NEW TIME ALERT) for part three of The Closing of the American Mind by Allan Bloom. After finishing Bloom, we'll read The Upswing by Robert Putnam.
Thursdays at 12:30 PM we are reading Nexus: A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI by Yuval Harari.
For more info: Gary.Milczarek@gmail.com.
First Friday Book Club
Instead of discussing a book this month, the club will watch the movie "Heartburn" on Friday, May 2nd at 10:30am in the Library Boulevard Bookend. Meryl Streep and Jack Nicholson are wonderful together in this wickedly funny look at modern romance based on Nora Ephron's acerbic best-selling novel. Pick up next month's book The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah. This #1 New York Times instant bestseller will be discussed on Friday, June 6th.
Spanish Classes
Every Tuesday, native speaker Carmen Rose facilitates two back-to-back Spanish programs in Meeting Room #1*. Beginner Spanish meets at 4pm. If learning Spanish is something you've always wanted to do, now is your chance! Newcomers are welcome at any time. (Ages 16+)
Conversational Spanish Group meets at 5pm. This group is for anyone who is comfortable speaking more advanced Spanish or wants to enjoy an immersive experience. Practice Spanish with other language learners of varying abilities in this informal atmosphere. (Ages 16+)
LEGO Club
Preschool song and story time
Story time meets on Wednesday mornings at 10:30am in the children's room. Families with young children are invited to join Mr. David for some circle time songs, a snack, stories, and the opportunity to meet new friends!
Bookwyrms Anonymous
Teens aged 11-18 gather every Friday at 3:30pm in the basement of the Boulevard Bookend for a variety of activities each week. Zine Club, D&D, Gaming, oh my! (Follow the path on the right side of the building around to the lower side door)
Snacks are provided and friends are always welcome.
CCC@CPL menopause support group
Eureka Springs Beekeepers
Meeting on the first Monday of each month at 6pm (May 5th) in Library Meeting Room #1*, this group is for anyone in the area that keeps Honeybees or is interested in learning more about the hobby! All are welcome.
