The Central Arkansas Library System is near the end of a massive renovation project of its Main Library in downtown Little Rock.
The top-to-bottom rebuild began with a "wall breaking" two years ago. Now, the building is nearing completion with just over a month left until opening day.
The library has not seen this massive a renovation since 1997. Almost 30 years ago, the Main Library underwent similar renovations as part of a plan to revitalize the downtown area.
“The high tech thing was CD-ROMs,” said Brant Collins, a content creator at CALS.
Now, he says, the library is emphasizing digital services and creating a layered experience for patrons.
The basement, which was formerly closed to the public except for used book sales, will become a digital space, complete with presentation rooms and offices for social workers. The first floor will remain an entry point, but it will add new amenities.
Local restaurant Boulevard Bread Company will have a location on the left side of the building. The back will be a giant children's area with a miniature stage.
The second floor is for teens. The third floor is for fiction. The fourth floor will have both nonfiction and a podcasting lab. Floor five is a meeting space with local art. The new plan will make the roof an accessible meeting area.
The library walls and ceilings have a unique color scheme. The basement is dark blue while higher floors are yellow and orange — a rainbow unfolds as you go up the elevator.
Collins says the library will be a place for everyone. Unhoused people can meet with social workers on the bottom floor, a film studio can be used to shoot a short film, teens can play video games after school.
Right, now hundreds of thousands of books are stacked in boxes as employees slowly work to reshelve them. The grand opening is planned for September 20.
