January 2023 Events at the Fort Smith Public Library
In-person library programming is contingent on safe community COVID-19 Levels. The library uses data from the CDC to determine public health measures in our facilities.
January 2022
Miller Branch Artist of the Month: Benjamin Dobbs
The Miller Branch Library will feature the original art of Fort Smith artist, Benjamin Dobbs. Benjamin is a local barista and a third-generation artist through his mother’s side. At the age of 5, his work was selected for The Barrett and Cissi Hamilton’s Young Arkansas Artists Competition and Exhibition held in The Arkansas Arts Center in 1990. Growing up he enjoyed trying different mediums but being slightly colorblind, he tended to favor working in black and white. In high school, he discovered and began favoring stippling, a technique within the pen and ink medium. His work has been displayed in The Arkansas Arts Center, The Fort Smith Art Center, Eye Candy Gallery, and The Gallery at Brunswick.
January 2022
Across America with Photographer Jim Anderson
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
An exhibit of photographic works by Jim Anderson featuring the beauty of America will be on display at the Main Library during the months of January and February. Jim is a school teacher by trade and a photographer of the natural landscape as a hobby. He has traveled and photographed in all 50 states always looking for natural settings and natural lighting. Jim’s award-winning photographs can be seen at local banks and law offices as well as exhibits in several State Park in Arkansas and Oklahoma. Jim’s photographs are also on display at the Arkansas Welcome Center on Interstate 40. Artwork is available for viewing whenever meetings are not being held in the community room.
Tuesday, January 3, 10 AM
Wiggle Worms Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to join the Miller Branch Library for this special storytime geared toward children 0 to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories, and lots of interactive fun! The storytime will last around twenty minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program.
Tuesday, January 3, 7 PM
Virtual Trivia Night!
Facebook LIVE
Join us (virtually) for a few rounds of trivia fun! Test your knowledge variety of topics from books, popular culture, music, and more on Facebook LIVE!
www.facebook.com/fortsmithlibrary
Wednesday, January 4, 10 AM
Penguin Storytime – Dallas Branch Library
Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith (479-484-5650)
Storytime at the Dallas Street Branch is for children and their adults. Lasting about 30 minutes, children and their families will enjoy stories, books, music, snacks, and crafts. This week’s Storytime will feature fun with Penguins!
Thursday, January 5, 10 AM
Storytime – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Main Library for storytime every Thursday at 10:00 AM. Lasting about 35 minutes, storytimes feature stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, manipulatives, and crafts. Not only is storytime fun, it’s an excellent way for adults and caregivers to interact with their children while helping them build early literacy skills and laying the foundation for preparing children to learn to read.
Friday, January 6, 10 AM
Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Miller Branch Library to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. No registration is necessary for this fun and FREE program. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:00 AM.
Friday, January 6, 2PM
First Friday Film: The Verdict (1940)
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Join us for this Friday Matinee showing The Verdict (1946) starring Sydney Greenstreet and Peter Lorre, and directed by Don Siegel. In this film noir crime drama, a Scotland Yard superintendent finds himself investigating the murder of his key witness after a mistake in an investigation caused the execution of an innocent man.
This film is not rated and runs 86 minutes.
Monday, January 9, 10 AM
Storytime – Windsor Branch Library
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Enjoy the magic of reading with Children’s Librarian, Louise Turner, as she brings books to life with storytime. Children and their caregivers are invited to the Windsor Drive Branch to enjoy books, songs, movement, and more. Storytime is held at the Windsor Branch Library every Monday at 10 AM.
Monday, January 9, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Hot Chocolate at the Library – Dallas Branch Library
Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith (479-484-5650)
Stop by the Dallas Street Branch Library from 3:30-4:30 p.m. and receive a free cup of hot chocolate!
Tuesday, January 10, 10 AM
Wiggle Worms Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to join the Miller Branch Library for this special storytime geared toward children 0 to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories, and lots of interactive fun! The storytime will last around twenty minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program.
Tuesday, January 10, 3:30 – 4:30 PM
Teach Kids to Save
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Join Tammy Roper, from Arvest Bank, as she teaches kids about saving, spending and budgeting in a fun and informative way! Parents are welcome!
Wednesday, January 11, 10 AM
Bear Storytime – Dallas Branch Library
Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith (479-484-5650)
Storytime at the Dallas Street Branch is for children and their adults. Lasting about 30 minutes, children and their families will enjoy stories, books, music, snacks, and crafts. This week’s Storytime will be all about bears!
Thursday, January 12, 10 AM
Storytime – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Main Library for storytime every Thursday at 10:00 AM. Lasting about 35 minutes, storytimes feature stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, manipulatives, and crafts. Not only is storytime fun, it’s an excellent way for adults and caregivers to interact with their children while helping them build early literacy skills and laying the foundation for preparing children to learn to read.
Thursday, January 12
TEAse Me – Main & Miller Branch Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
Celebrate National Hot Tea Day on January 12th with the Main Library and Miller Branch’s TEAse Me packets. The sampler will include two varieties of delicious tea, honey sticks, and a sweet treat. Pick up yours at the Main Library or the Miller Branch Library, while supplies last.
Thursday, January 12, 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Adult Recess: Creative Planner
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Join us for Adult Recess: Creative Planner Edition! We’ll learn creative ideas for using a planner to improve productivity plus ways to embellish it to make it more fun!
Friday, January 13, 10 AM
Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Miller Branch Library to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. No registration is necessary for this fun and FREE program. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:00 AM.
Tuesday, January 17, 10 AM
Wiggle Worms Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to join the Miller Branch Library for this special storytime geared toward children 0 to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories, and lots of interactive fun! The storytime will last around twenty minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program.
Wednesday, January 18, 10 AM
Snow Storytime – Dallas Branch Library
Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith (479-484-5650)
Storytime at the Dallas Street Branch is for children and their adults. Lasting about 30 minutes, children and their families will enjoy stories, books, music, snacks, and crafts This week’s Storytime will feature snow-time fun!
Thursday, January 19, 10 AM
Storytime – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Main Library for storytime every Thursday at 10:00 AM. Lasting about 35 minutes, storytimes feature stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, manipulatives, and crafts. Not only is storytime fun, it’s an excellent way for adults and caregivers to interact with their children while helping them build early literacy skills and laying the foundation for preparing children to learn to read.
Thursday, January 19, 10 AM
The Book Lover’s Club
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903
Read a good book lately? Come tell us about it at The Book Lover’s Club! The only requirement for this club is that you must love to read. Read whatever you like, fiction or non-fiction, and come give us a short report (on up to three titles). The Book Lover’s Club meets the third Thursday of every month at the Main library.
Thursday, January 19, 10:30 AM – 12 PM
Anyone Can Learn to Letter
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Join us each month or pop in when you can! We’ll talk tools and supplies, and practice techniques of hand lettering. FREE and all supplies provided.
Thursday, January 15, 2 AM
Thursday, January 19, 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Healing Crystals 101
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Have you had any questions about healing crystals? Stop in our free program with Welcome
Om Metaphysical Shop who will offer an introduction to a variety of popular healing crystals,
their benefits, and the various ways they can be used.
Friday, January 20, 10 AM
Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Miller Branch Library to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. No registration is necessary for this fun and FREE program. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:00 AM.
Monday, January 23
Chinese New Year Dragon Craft – Dallas Branch Library
Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith (479-484-5650)
Honor the Chinese New Year with a dragon craft at the Dallas Street Branch Library! The craft will first be available on January 22nd and will be available for the remainder of January while supplies last.
Monday, January 23, 10 AM
Storytime – Windsor Branch Library
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Enjoy the magic of reading with Children’s Librarian, Louise Turner, as she brings books to life with storytime. Children and their caregivers are invited to the Windsor Drive Branch to enjoy books, songs, movement, and more. Storytime is held at the Windsor Branch Library every Monday at 10 AM.
Monday, January 23, 4 – 5:30 PM
Decorate a Yeti – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Come chill out at the library and decorate a mini yeti! Using paint and paper, you can take home your own personalized tiny abominable snowman. Supplies are limited, so please show up early. Snacks will also be provided.
Tuesday, January 24, 10 AM
Wiggle Worms Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to join the Miller Branch Library for this special storytime geared toward children 0 to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories, and lots of interactive fun! The storytime will last around twenty minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program.
Wednesday, January 25, 10 AM
Art Storytime – Dallas Branch Library
Dallas Branch Library, 8100 Dallas Street, Fort Smith (479-484-5650)
Storytime at the Dallas Street Branch is for children and their adults. Lasting about 30 minutes, children and their families will enjoy stories, books, music, snacks, and crafts This week’s Storytime is all about art!
Thursday, January 26, 10 AM
Storytime – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Main Library for storytime every Thursday at 10:00 AM. Lasting about 35 minutes, storytimes feature stories, songs, puppetry, finger plays, manipulatives, and crafts. Not only is storytime fun, it’s an excellent way for adults and caregivers to interact with their children while helping them build early literacy skills and laying the foundation for preparing children to learn to read.
Thursday, January 26, 2 PM
Crafty Corner – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
Adults can be crafty, too! Rediscover your creative spark by joining the Miller Branch Library for an easy craft that you’ll be able to take home.
Thursday, January 26, 4 – 5 PM
STEAM Team – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
STEAM Team is a program for children ages 8-12 who have an interest in science, technology, engineering, art, and math. The STEAM Team will have a chance to build fun stuff, be active, make art, and even make a mess! For January, STEAMers will learn about snowflakes and symmetry while creating their own unique piece of snowflake art!
Friday, January 27, 10 AM
Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
Children and their caregivers are invited to the Miller Branch Library to enjoy stories, songs, rhymes, and crafts. No registration is necessary for this fun and FREE program. Storytime is held every Friday at 10:00 AM.
Friday, January 27, 10 – 11 AM
Recipe Swap
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Are you looking for new recipes? Join us at the Windsor Drive Branch as we share recipes and memories of food and family. This month bring your favorite finger food recipe!
Saturday, January 28, 1:30 – 2:30 PM
Drop-in Button Making – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Get creative and design your own buttons at our drop-in button making program. You Design and we Make! You bring the creativity and we supply the materials. Free.
Sunday, January 29, 2 – 4 PM
An Afternoon with Author Anita Paddock – Main Library
Fort Smith Public Library, 3201 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith (479-783-0229)
Join us for a special afternoon with author Anita Paddock. Author of the popular books Blind Rage, Closing Time, and Cold Blooded, Anita’s brand-new true crime release is The Killing Spree: A True Story of a String of Brutal Murders, Rapes, and the Cop who Tried to Stop It. The author will discuss the book and the writing process beginning at 2 PM. Copies of The Killing Spree, and other books by the author, will be available for sale and signing at the event. Refreshments will be served.
Monday, January 30, 10 AM
Storytime – Windsor Branch Library
Windsor Branch Library, 4701 Windsor Drive, Fort Smith (479-785-0405)
Enjoy the magic of reading with Children’s Librarian, Louise Turner, as she brings books to life with storytime. Children and their caregivers are invited to the Windsor Drive Branch to enjoy books, songs, movement, and more. Storytime is held at the Windsor Branch Library every Monday at 10 AM.
Tuesday, January 31, 10 AM
Wiggle Worms Storytime – Miller Branch Library
Miller Branch Library, 8701 South 28th Street, Fort Smith (479-646-3945)
A love of reading starts early. Babies and their caregivers are invited to join the Miller Branch Library for this special storytime geared toward children 0 to 24 months old. There will be rhymes, songs, simple stories, and lots of interactive fun! The storytime will last around twenty minutes, with time for casual interaction following the program.
