RISON - The future of local library services in Cleveland County hangs in the balance as the Arkansas State Library Board continues to withhold more than $1 million in state aid.
In a recent edition of the Free Range Conversations podcast, library leaders from the Roy and Christine Sturgis Library of Cleveland County warned that without the release of these funds, essential programs—from summer reading to digital book access—could be suspended as early as next month.
A "Holding Pattern" for Arkansas Libraries
The funding freeze stems from a procedural standstill at the Department of Education, where new standards for state aid have been pending since early 2023.
According to Clare Graham, Regional Library Director for the Mid Arkansas Regional Library System, the State Library Board has declined to distribute the aid, citing audit issues with a single, unrelated regional system in North Arkansas.
"Arkansas libraries are in a holding pattern, because the State Library Board declined to distribute over $1 million in state aid," Graham explained. "The state has requested new standards for state aid... those rules have been sitting at the Department of Ed."
While the White River system has reportedly struggled with audits, Graham emphasized that Mid Arkansas is fully compliant.
"I really just want to stress that White River is the anomaly," she said. "They decided not to release any of the funds, regardless whether you had an audit or not.”
Local Impact: More Than Just Books
For the Cleveland County Library, the loss of state aid translates to a $9,000 annual deficit in operating expenditures.
While this may seem small compared to the library’s total $108,000 millage, Graham noted that the regional system covers massive overhead costs that the county cannot absorb alone.
Cleveland County’s Librarian Hilda Terry highlighted some of the services at risk:
• Summer Reading Programs: Entirely funded by the region for Cleveland County.
• Digital Access: The e-book platform, which offers nearly a million titles, and the Libby app.
• Mobile Services: The bookmobile, which serves nursing homes and daycares.
• Core Infrastructure: The digital system used to check out books.
Board member Roy Phillips described the situation as "existential" for the library. Rebecca Montgomery, another board member, added that "to be able to have to pick up these additional costs on top of losing funding, it's going to make it really difficult."
The Role of the Modern Library
The funding crisis comes at a time when library leaders argue their services are more vital than ever. Beyond lending books, the library provides Wi-Fi hotspots, tax preparation assistance, and digital literacy training for residents applying for jobs or healthcare.
"We’re facing an epidemic of loneliness," Graham said. "We need those community anchors to bring people together to share resources. Libraries are so needed."
What Happens Next?
A special meeting of the State Library Board is scheduled for Monday, March 2, at the Arkansas State Library.
Library advocates are urging the community to act before the impact is felt in April, when major annual invoices for books and digital platforms are due.
Community Action Steps:
• Contact State Library Board members to share the local impact.
• Attend the meeting on Monday, March 2.
• Use public comments to vocalize the library's importance.
"It's one thing to listen about what's going on, but you got to act on that information," Montgomery urged. "Tell everyone that you love the library."