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.
Apply today
Community History Seminar 2026
The 2026 Community History Seminar is a free evening program hosted by the CALS DIY Memory Lab and Butler Center for Arkansas Studies. Designed especially for community-based organizations in Central Arkansas, the seminar supports groups with historically significant or at-risk records, particularly those documenting the experiences and histories of marginalized communities. 10 community-based organizations will be accepted into the 2026 cohort.
Application Deadline: June 15
Notification Deadline: July 7
Upcoming Events & Programs
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2nd Friday Art Night
At our monthly 2FAN event, attendees will be greeted in the first-floor Shaylea Harding Lobby with local artists selling their work, art demonstrations, a craft table, a DJ or performer playing music, and light refreshments and libations.
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Writing All Year Workshop Group
Join us twice a month to give and receive writing feedback in a safe and respectful environment.
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Personal Archiving
Learn the basics of saving your family papers, photos, and more.
Recent Blog Posts
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Since moving to Washington State in 2024, I have found myself looking for opportunities to return home to Arkansas. This…
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The staff of the Bobby L. Roberts Library of Arkansas History & Art engages in outreach and professional development all…
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As you might have noticed, this year marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and there is a…
