Hungry for knowledge? Library Square Books, the Central Arkansas Library System’s bookstore, reopened after two years and is ready to satisfy every literary craving.
“Whether you want a large meal you can slowly savor or a quick, tasty bite, the right book is out there waiting for you — hopefully at Library Square Books,” says manager Jessica Scott.
Time and again, research has proven that reading feeds the brain by strengthening vocabulary, empathy and attention span. It even relieves the nervous system as the heart rate slows and muscle tension melts away. The catch is that finding affordable reading material isn’t always easy. However, Library Square Books happens to have all genres, from sci-fi novels to cookbooks, starting at just $2.
“Reading nourishes your mind, heart and soul. Books help you better understand yourself and the world around you. They open your mind to new viewpoints and possibilities.”
The majority of the books come from compassionate community donations, and the rest are CALS books that have been weeded from the collection.
The community also came together to build the bookstore’s shelves. Gonzalo Hernandez Jr., director of facilities and operations, worked with patrons Walter May and Samuel Ledbetter, as well as Justin McGoldrick and his father Sr. Hernandez, to craft sturdy, beautiful oak shelves.
Besides bargain books, Library Square Books also stocks gifts — candles, journals, earrings, craft kits and more — handcrafted by independent creators both in-state and across the country. The proceeds help support the library system’s anti-hunger campaign, Be Mighty, and reading programs like the Six Bridges Book Festival and Summer@CALS.
“I can't wait for people to see what we have planned for the future of Library Square Books,” Jessica says. “We're very proud to provide a welcoming space to find used books at affordable prices in downtown Little Rock.”