By: Elias Weiss
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Both the Fayetteville Public Library and Mullins Library are undergoing expansions this year.
Contrary to popular belief, public libraries are utilized now more than ever. According to city and university officials, libraries in Northwest Arkansas are growing even faster.
David Johnson, the executive director for the Fayetteville Public Library, said there are more factors than just book readership that led to the library expansion.
Every day, 39 people move to Northwest Arkansas, according to the Northwest Arkansas Council.
It is this sheer population growth combined with the new role libraries play as community centers that warrants the $50 million expansion, Johnson said.
The new library will include music and video recording studios, a culinary annex for cooking classes, a “movement room” for dance and exercise classes, and a new art gallery, as well as new books and reading materials in the library itself, according to a press release.
“We’re no longer just sort of a warehouse of books,” Johnson said. “We’re a place for people to come and connect, come and collaborate, have access to knowledge in a wide variety of formats.”
Mullins Library is also undergoing an expansion. Kelsey Lippard, the university’s director for public relations, said the demand for study space in the library increases every year.
“We are aiming to double the study space on levels three and four,” Lippard said.
Lippard also said the demand for online reading material has been growing year by year.
“We have plenty of online offerings for those who can’t make it to the library, or for those who just prefer not to,” Lippard said.
Fayetteville Public Library will complete its renovation in October, and Mullins Library will complete its renovation in the summer of 2021.