Getting a Library Card Could Save You Money in September

The Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) is inviting residents of the Little Rock metro area to start this fall off right with a library card and all the benefits that go with it.

It's all part of CALS' celebration of National Library Card Sign-Up Month in September.

More than 40 businesses in Pulaski County will offer discounts or special deals throughout the month to new and existing library card holders.

Specific discounts and time frames can be confirmed with each retailer and are shown at each library branch. Businesses include:

• All Aboard
• Arkansas Repertory Theatre  
• Bedford's Camera & Video
• BJ Plants and Produce  
• Bobby's Bike Hike 
• Boulevard Bread Co.
• Brewster's  
• Colonial Wines & Spirits    
• Cupcake Factory   
• Curves - Southwest
  
• Gearhead Outfitters  
  
• Grampa's Catfish House
• Horticare Wholesale Nursery   
• Hot Dog Mike    
• Huntington Learning Center
• Jazzercise - Little Rock    
• Just Dogs! Gourmet   
• Kapow! Comics
• Kris & Sam's     
• Krispy Kreme Donuts
• Larry's Pizza
• Little Rock Climbing Center
• Little Rock Zoo     
• Museum of Discovery
  
• Old Mill Bread    
• Otter Creek Mini Storage
• Pizza D'Action
• Pyramid Art, Books & Custom Framing
• ReBath of Central Arkansas
• River Market Books & Gifts
• Rock City Kicks
• Sharks Chicken & Fish
  
• Sherwood Florist
• Stilo Salon
• Sweet Things Bakery & Dessert Bar
• Trio's Restaurant
• The Freckled Frog     
• The House Gastropub
• The Meat Shoppe 
• U.S. Pizza Company
• Whole Hog Cafe
  
• The Wonder Place
  
• Zaffino's   

For over 100 years, CALS, Arkansas's largest public library system, has been meeting the needs of patrons with materials and services for their information and enjoyment. Books, DVDs, audio books, reference and research assistance, and computers are available at twelve CALS branches for Pulaski and Perry county residents. In 2011, over 2 million people visited CALS branches and checked out over 2.4 million items.

CALS stays on the cutting edge of technology, offering free wireless access in all its branches, laptop computers for in-house check out, and a state-of-the-art RFID self check system. Reference assistance is offered on the website through an Ask-a-Librarian chat function for immediate service. Thousands of titles of eBooks and audiobooks are available in the Downloadable Library, which is accessible 24 hours a day (click here).

Programming and resources including reference databases, lectures, book club kits, books by mail, storytime, the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History and Culture, art galleries, and the Arkansas Literary Festival are all free. Just use your library card.

Residents of Pulaski or Perry County can get a card by presenting photo identification at any CALS branch or by applying online. A parent or legal guardian should accompany minors without identification who are applying for a card. Residents of nearby counties should ask about a Gateway card. Library cards are mailed to complete the application process.

CALS libraries in Little Rock include:

• Main Library, 100 Rock Street
• Dee Brown Library, 6325 Baseline Road
• Fletcher Library, 823 North Buchanan Street
• Oley E. Rooker Library, 11 Otter Creek Court
• Terry Library, 2015 Napa Valley Drive
• Thompson Library, 38 Rahling Circle
• Williams Library, 1800 Chester Street
• McMath Library, 2100 John Barrow Road

CALS libraries in surrounding communities include:

• Max Milam Library, 609 Aplin Avenue, Perryville
• Maumelle Library, 10 Lake Pointe Drive, Maumelle
• Esther D. Nixon Library, 703 W. Main Street, Jacksonville
• Amy Sanders Library, and 31 Shelby Drive, Sherwood