The Arkansas State Library

At the end of the day yesterday, I ran by the Arkansas State Library for a visit with Carolyn Ashcraft, the Arkansas State Librarian, Michael Strickland, Coordinator of State Library Services, Danny Koonce, Information Officer, and others associated with the State Library. The staff stuck around post-quitting time to show me around the 65,000 square foot facility, which is a great resource for legislators and others, albeit largely untapped during the session. It serves as the state depository, and if you're looking for a regulation from a state agency dating back decades, they may have the only copy.

The library is currently located behind the Capitol on the 5th floor of the Big Mac building. Their mission is threefold: (1) to serve as the information resource center for state agencies, legislators and legislative staffs; (2) to provide guidance and support for the development of local public libraries; and (3) to offer resources that meet the needs of the citizens of Arkansas. The staff has ambitious goals for the facility, and you'd be amazed at wealth of local and national information available over there.