Sonny Albarado

3 days ago | mhobserver.com | Sonny Albarado |Arkansas Advocate

Arkansas State Library Board members on Friday voted to recommend a 10.39% across-the-board cut in state aid to public libraries in fiscal 2026, which starts July 1. The recommendation would allow 20 libraries currently ineligible for state funds to receive the money. State Librarian Jennifer Chilcoat presented the proposal as one option for complying with a 2023 state appropriation bill that called for new eligibility criteria to be adopted by July 1, 2024.

6 days ago | yahoo.com | Sonny Albarado

Arkansas State Librarian Jennifer Chilcoat (left) offers a plan for extending eligibility for state funds to more libraries during the May 9, 2025, quarterly meeting of the State Library Board. Board member Lupe Peña de Martinez listens. (Photo by Sonny Albarado/Arkansas Advocate)Arkansas State Library Board members on Friday voted to recommend a 10.39% across-the-board cut in state aid to public libraries in fiscal 2026, which starts July 1.

6 days ago | arkansasadvocate.com | Sonny Albarado

Arkansas State Library Board members on Friday voted to recommend a 10.39% across-the-board cut in state aid to public libraries in fiscal 2026, which starts July 1. The recommendation would allow 20 libraries currently ineligible for state funds to receive the money. State Librarian Jennifer Chilcoat presented the proposal as one option for complying with a 2023 state appropriation bill that called for new eligibility criteria to be adopted by July 1, 2024.

6 days ago | newsfromthestates.com | Sonny Albarado

Arkansas State Library Board members on Friday voted to recommend a 10.39% across-the-board cut in state aid to public libraries in fiscal 2026, which starts July 1. The recommendation would allow 20 libraries currently ineligible for state funds to receive the money. State Librarian Jennifer Chilcoat presented the proposal as one option for complying with a 2023 state appropriation bill that called for new eligibility criteria to be adopted by July 1, 2024.

6 days ago | arkansasadvocate.com | Tess Vrbin |Sonny Albarado

The Arkansas State Library Board on Friday will disburse public funds to libraries for the last time in the 2025 fiscal year, and likely the last time before all seven board members will be replaced. As local library directors wait for their regular shares of state funding, some continue to await a long-delayed avenue for rural libraries to be eligible for more state funding. An amendment to the State Library’s fiscal year 2024 appropriation bill introduced by Sen.