New bill would dissolve Arkansas State Library and its board, set new library funding criteria

KUAR | By Tess Vrbin / Arkansas Advocate

From the Arkansas Advocate:

Arkansas Sen. Dan Sullivan filed legislation Thursday to abolish not only the State Library Board, but the State Library as well.

Senate Bill 536 would carry out Sullivan’s promise to dismantle the library board by transferring the agency’s and board’s powers, authorities, funds, contracts and employees to the Arkansas Department of Education. The Arkansas State Library is already under the department’s umbrella but operates independently, and the board consists of seven members appointed by the governor who disburse funds to public libraries on a quarterly basis.

In February, Sullivan introduced Senate Bill 184, which would have abolished the State Library Board but not the State Library. The bill also would have dissolved the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, which oversees Arkansas PBS and is also under the education department but operates independently.

New bill would dissolve Arkansas State Library and its board, set new library funding criteria

Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate

Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, in the Senate chamber on Tuesday, January 14, 2025.

Bill to change Arkansas PBS and state library board oversight passes Senate

KUAR | By Josie Lenora

A bill to give the Arkansas Department of Education oversight over the State Library Board and the Arkansas Educational Television Commission cleared another hurdle Monday.

It's unclear how this bill will impact libraries in the state or Arkansas PBS, which are overseen by the independent boards, but the plan comes out of ongoing frustration from state Sen. Dan Sullivan, R-Jonesboro, with both organizations.

Libraries

In the 2023 legislative session, Sullivan passed a law that would criminalize librarians for furnishing materials to minors that are “harmful.” Every library is already banned from offering obscenity, but harmful to minors is a lower and more vague standard that could be interpreted to mean many things.

Bill to change Arkansas PBS and state library board oversight passes Senate

Chris Hickey/Little Rock Public Radio

The Arkansas Senate chamber is seen in this file photo.

Jason Rapert confirmed to the State Library Board

KUAR | By Josie Lenora,

Maggie Ryan

Former Sen. Jason Rapert has joined the state library board. Friday, the Arkansas Senate confirmed his nomination in a vote of 22-10. The vote was held without discussion.

The seven person library board has authority over how money is distributed in the state's libraries.

In November, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders appointed Jason Rapert to the State Library Board. He formerly served in the state senate from January 2011 to January 2023. Rapert is also the founder and president of the National Association of Christian Lawmakers.

Jason Rapert confirmed to the State Library Board

Michael Hibblen/KUAR News

Former state Sen. Jason Rapert moves toward joining the library board.