Public Comment Deadline Approaching
Libraries are at risk of losing critical funding due to a new set of ambiguous guidelines that violate the First Amendment rights of Arkansans along extreme guidelines, risking access to medical information, art, history, religious texts including Bible stories, and more. Public comment is open until June 15, 2026!
There’s still time to let your voice be heard in support of public libraries in our state! Recently, the State Library Board voted to advance a set of new Rules for State Aid to Public Libraries that creates uncertainty and administrative overload for libraries, in addition to containing extremely concerning rules restricting access to a broad array of materials by minors, including developmentally relevant puberty information.
Libraries who are unable to meet the demands of drastically increased reporting and complicated content restrictions will no longer be eligible for State Aid, an important source of funding for vital community services. Rural libraries in particular do not have the capacity to increase administrative burden or shift collections into new configurations, yet would be at risk of losing the very funds intended to provide those library services in small communities with limited resources.
Check out this article from Arkansas Advocate and our first article on the rules for more background information, and then email your thoughts about these changes to [email protected].
The clock is ticking – Arkansans have until June 15, 2026 to have their thoughts added to the public record. A public comment hearing will also be held in person on June 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM in the ADE Auditorium, located at Four Capitol Mall, Little Rock, AR 72201. If you can attend to share your thoughts about attempts to restrict the right to read in Arkansas, show up and join fellow library supporters in person!
Join us in standing up for the right to read for Arkansans of all ages. Arkansas’ libraries are community treasures, and your voice is needed to protect them. Send your comments about the new rules to [email protected] before June 15!