The mission of the Arkansas State Library is to serve as the information resource center for state agencies,legislators and legislative staffs, to provide guidance and support for the development of local public libraries and library services, and to provide the resources, services,and leadership necessary to meet the educational,informational and cultural needs of the citizens of Arkansas. The agency administers state and federal funds appropriated for libraries and library development,including State Aid To Public Libraries funds and federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds.
Agency Goals and Objectives Supported by Information Technology
The goals of the State Library are:
- provide library and information services to state government, as well as to citizens statewide;
- develop access to libraries and information resources;
- promote the development, use and support of public libraries and information resources;
- foster the recruitment, training, and education of library personnel; and
- provide effective leadership and administration needed to improve public libraries and library services.
Providing information resources to the public directly or through other libraries that have been revolutionized by information technology. All the goals listed have been enhanced by the speed of electronic delivery, bibliographic data storage and rapid computer communication. The ASL web site [http://www.library.arkansas.gov] provides access to the LSTA Five Year Long Range Plan, which is being used as a model for other states by the Institute of Museums and Library Services [see http://www.imls.gov for more detailed information on this federal agency.]