Welcome to CALS Roberts Library

Location & Hours Explore our Collections

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.

Upcoming Events & Programs

  • Personal Archiving

    Online via Zoom

    Learn the basics of saving your family papers, photos, and more.

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  • Arkansas Made: Our State’s Rich Artistic Traditions
    Legacies & Lunch

    CALS Main Library Darragh Center

    Victoria Chandler and Jennifer Carman will explore Arkansas’s creative legacy through a series of fine and decorative objects from prehistory to present from the Arkansas Made project. Free lunch provided!

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  • 2nd Friday Art Night

    CALS Main Library

    At our monthly 2FAN event, attendees will be greeted by 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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preserve your memories

CALS DIY Memory Lab

Digitize your home movies, photographs, slides, negatives, and scrapbooks!

Make an Appointment
color and black and white photographic prints laid out on a grey grid surface

Recent Blog Posts

Need a Speaker?

We offer programs and guest speakers to groups of all sizes and ages. We will come and speak to your group about Arkansas history, CALS Art Collection, Butler Center of Arkansas Studies collections, the Encyclopedia of Arkansas, and Personal Archiving / DIY Memory Lab.

Book a Speaker

explore arkansas history

Digital Projects