The Arkansas Library Association strongly opposes Senate Bill 536, which proposes the elimination of the Arkansas State Library (ASL) and the redistribution of its collections and resources. This bill threatens to eliminate Arkansas’s only Regional Federal Depository Library, significantly reducing public access to essential government documents. Without a regional depository, Arkansans seeking federal publications would face longer wait times and increased reliance on out-of-state interlibrary loans, which would be burdensome on local libraries. Additionally, the bill’s failure to address space and infrastructure concerns raises serious doubts about the State Archives’ ability to properly house ASL’s collections. This disruption would limit the public’s access to vital reference materials, periodicals, and historical resources.
This bill affects services and resources available to millions of Arkansans. The dissolution of the ASL will severely limit access to ebooks and digital audiobooks, and eliminate the Traveler databases that are used by every public school, college, and university in the state. The loss of the Traveler database program could lead to institutions losing their accreditation unless they absorb the cost of purchasing these resources individually. A recent study showed that the Traveler databases would cost the taxpayers of Arkansas $47 million to replace using local funds, should the ASL be eliminated. ASL is able to purchase these for the entire state due to their status as a state library. This would affect small and rural communities the most.
Beyond the immediate loss of access, SB 536 risks violating federal regulations by improperly transferring equipment and resources purchased with federal funds. The bill does not provide clear guidelines for the disposition of staff, software subscriptions, or hardware currently funded by federal dollars. This lack of oversight could place Arkansas in non-compliance with federal cost principles (2 CFR § 200.308), endangering future federal funding eligibility. The potential loss of Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds—totaling $2.16 million annually—would devastate library services across the state, reducing critical resources for education, literacy, and community programs.
Lastly, SB 536 introduces structural inefficiencies and legal inconsistencies within the state. The bill proposes dissolving the Arkansas State Library Board, requiring the formation of a new “State Advisory Council” under federal law, effectively negating any administrative efficiencies gained. It also misrepresents federal statutes, incorrectly citing criminal codes instead of appropriate guidelines related to library materials. These legal flaws create unnecessary confusion and could expose the state to legal challenges. The proposed organizational structure is vague and untested, raising serious concerns about Arkansas’s ability to remain compliant with federal regulations governing library operations.
Arkansas libraries are essential to public education, information access, and historical preservation. SB 536 threatens to dismantle these services, disrupt federally funded programs, and reduce access to information for all Arkansans. We urge lawmakers to reject this harmful legislation and instead focus on strengthening, not dismantling, our state’s library system.
