The Arkansas State Library (ASL) exists to administer state and federal funds for libraries and library development and to enhance access to libraries and information resources across the state. It disperses useful funding throughout the state’s libraries, large and small—based on research conducted by the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, almost 45 percent of the state’s population is rural—and supports literacy and reading programs, as well as facilitating the state’s resource-sharing platform and administering the Library for the Blind and Print Disabled. The work of the ASL Board has been a relatively low-profile function of state government.

In 2023, Gov. Sarah Huckabee-Sanders appointed former State Sen. Jason Rapert (R-Conway) to the ASL Board. Over the last three years, Rapert has repeatedly tried, and failed, to withhold state funding to libraries offering “sexually explicit” content to minors by making such material available in their collections. Rapert has also attempted unsuccessfully to get the board to remove references to the American Library Association from its own policies, and repeatedly engaged in contentious discussions regarding onsite access to library materials with library directors and ASL Board members alike. In his September 2024 guest column in the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette , “Discussing Ideas on Protecting Children,” Rapert advocated to withhold funding from any public library that “refuses to put into place simple guidelines…to keep inappropriate materials out of reach of our kids that encourage them to have sex with other children, teach them sexual acts, and encourage all sorts of sexual deviancy.”

Adding to the complexity of motions, issues, and arguments raised within the ASL Board by Rapert is the ongoing lawsuit against Act 372. This lawsuit represents a significant legal battle for the state and the country regarding free speech and intellectual freedom. Rapert used board meetings to move, unsuccessfully, to withhold funds from the libraries that are named challengers in the lawsuit. Eighteen plaintiffs (including both large and small public libraries, the Arkansas Library Association, two bookstores, independent citizens, the Authors Guild, the American Booksellers Association, and the Freedom to Read Foundation, among others) have challenged Act 372, which would create criminal liability for librarians based on distribution of content that some members of the community may consider “harmful to minors” (e.g. “obscene” material). Additionally, Act 372 would give elected local officials authority to remove any challenged materials in a library, stripping directors, librarians, or boards of the independent authority to collect and offer materials to their constituents based on principles of intellectual freedom and independent choice. Rapert has repeatedly campaigned to remove libraries’ and librarians’ ability to execute their missions to enhance access to information resources across the state via his role on the ASL board.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR THE BOARD

In February, Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-Jonesboro) proposed Senate Bill 184, which would have eliminated the ASL Board by transferring its powers and duties to the Department of Education. While SB 184 failed in the House Committee on State Agencies and Governmental Affairs, Huckabee-Sanders signed AR SB640, which proposed to reconstitute the ASL Board by terminating the terms of all current board members, into law in early 2025. This bill included Act 903, sponsored by Sen. Jonathan Dismang (R-Searcy), who deemed it “best to start all over” with new ASL Board appointments to be made by Huckabee-Sanders. When sponsoring AR SB640, Dismang stated that when the bill was introduced the board was “dysfunctional.” Although this slate of appointments is to be expected in any new administration, acknowledged Nate Coulter, director of the Central Arkansas Library System, Act 903 hastened the change.

Adam Webb, Garland County Library director and current Arkansas Library Association (ArLA) President, is hopeful that the newly reconstituted board can continue to support the state’s libraries to continue to get the funding they need, especially those in very small rural areas. To date, six of seven board members have been appointed by Huckabee-Sanders, including the reappointment of Sydney McKenzie to vice chair of the board. She is the wife of state Rep. Brit McKenzie (R-Rogers). The seventh member will represent congressional districts three or four. Rapert, who resides in district two, cannot be appointed to the reconstituted board because two members, board chair Clay Goff and Lynlee McMillan, represent that district. With this clean slate, appointment terms are staggered. Those who drew lots for shorter appointments will not be considered as serving a full term and may be reappointed. Goff will serve the shortest term, one year, while McMillan and the to-be-appointed seventh member will serve the standard seven-year term.

Webb reported that he found Goff’s appointment encouraging. Goff, he said, comes to the board with almost 15 years of experience serving as chairman of the White County Library Board, which, during his leadership, oversaw expansion and new branch developments. He and Coulter hope the ASL Board, ArLA, and librarians across the state can continue to work together to identify necessary funding to support access and literacy programs throughout the state’s public libraries.

Webb shared that, while funding remains the same for public libraries, the funding formula has been updated to comply with a legislative requirement that rural libraries not be penalized for failing to maintain a minimum millage. Funding is especially important to support collection development in libraries serving rural populations. As of 2023, there are 219 public libraries in Arkansas, according to the ASL public library survey. While the overall allocation for funding across all public libraries remains the same, approximately 20 libraries that formerly did not previously qualify for state aid standards will now receive funding. Some ArLA members, according to Webb, have expressed concerns that this may negatively affect those libraries that will receive less funding based on the updated formula and qualifications.

While tighter funding will require new strategies for libraries that rely on these resources to enable programs and collection development, the inclusion of the new libraries may foster additional support across the most rural regions of Arkansas. The change in board membership may enable the board to focus on delivering its mission to support public libraries across the state.