Welcome to CALS Roberts Library
The Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art is the special collections branch of the Central Arkansas Library System.
CALS Roberts Library houses the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, Encyclopedia of Arkansas, DIY Memory Lab, CALS Art Program, and UA Little Rock Center for Arkansas History and Culture. The mission of the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art is to engage the people of Central Arkansas in meaningful conversations about our rich history and artistic heritage and its impact on our present.
Register today
2026 Genealogy Workshop
Saturday, November 7, 2026
9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
CALS Main Library | Darragh Center (5th floor)
Discover your family’s history in this free immersive, full-day workshop led by Dr. Margarita Rosa. Learn how to uncover hidden records, build a meaningful family tree, and interpret historical documents that bring your ancestors’ stories to life.
Upcoming Events & Programs
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A Prized Evening: Worthen Prize & Porter Prize Event
Join us for the presentation of this year’s Porter Fund Literary Prize to Jeffrey Condran and the Booker Worthen Literary Prize to Eli Cranor. Free refreshments and a book signing.
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Legacies & Lunch – Banned: The History of the Little Rock Censor Board
During Banned Books Week, Tim Nutt uncovers Little Rock’s censorship battles, from banned books to forbidden films, and discusses the long tenure of the Little Rock Censor Board and events leading to the board’s demise. Free lunch provided!
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Writing All Year Long Workshop Group
Join us twice a month to give and receive writing feedback in a safe and respectful environment.
Recent Blog Posts
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Looking through old collections of documents often reveals a thread or two about a location that has personal meaning or…
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"We have remarked that one reason offered for being a progressive is that things naturally tend to grow better. But…
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The best advice I’ve ever received about genealogy is this: Keep all your records in pencil (with an eraser!) so…
