McMath

About the Library

Sidney S. McMath Library offers patrons thousands of books and audio/visual items. The 10,700 square-feet facility features a children's area, public meeting rooms and wireless Internet access. The library's 10-acre site features a boardwalk from John Barrow Road, a walking path, an amphitheater, and a koi pond with an observation pier.

People of the Library

Sid McMath was elected Governor of Arkansas in 1948. He entered office January 11, 1949 as the nation's youngest governor. He was reelected in 1950. His administration built the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, which was financed with a two-cent tax on cigarettes.

News & Announcements

• CALS DVD Check Out Policies Changed
  Beginning Wednesday, May 1, the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) will increase the number of DVDs patrons may have checked out to ten DVDs. Also, the check out period for new release movies will be seven days. These changes will allow patrons t...
• Main Library Campus Closed for Riverfest
  All departments of the Main Library's downtown campus will close at 3:00 p.m. Friday, May 24, due to Riverfest, and will remain closed through Memorial Day, Monday, May 27. This includes the Main Library building, the Arkansas Studies Institute Buil...
• Great Library Scavenger Hunt, May 1 - 18
  The Great Library Scavenger Hunt, May 1 - 18, includes tasks or items available at Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) branches. Beginning today, May 1, patrons may pick up a play card for the Great Library Scavenger Hunt from any branch or&n...
• CALS Closed for Memorial Day
  All branches of the Central Arkansas Library System will be closed Monday, May 27, in observance of Memorial Day.  Regular hours will resume at all branches Tuesday, May 28.  For more information, please call 918-3000.
• Local Author Receives Library's Prize for Work on Civil War in Arkansas
  As one of the most fertile regions in the South, the Arkansas River Valley was highly contested territory during the Civil War. While the Siege on Vicksburg raged, equally important battles were fought here in Arkansas. This struggle is the topic of ...
• CALS to Participate in Big Library Read
  Be part of a worldwide eBook club with Central Arkansas Library System (CALS) during the inaugural Big Library Read, May 15-June 1, 2013. Through the Big Library Read, libraries worldwide unite readers around a single eBook. This year's book is The F...
• Proposed Library Card Changes for Families and Children
  We want to hear from you! The Central Arkansas Library System is considering changes to the way we issue library cards. We are proposing a new Family Card that will give patrons more options for managing their library accounts. Please take a look ...