August 2021
WE'RE POSTPONING SEVERAL IN-PERSON EVENTS - SEE OUR EVENT GUIDE FOR DETAILS
MIDDLE-GRADE BOOK CLUB 9-YEAR-OLD INVITES KIDS TO JOIN VIRTUAL CHAPTER BOOK CLUB
HUMANKIND
GRAB & GO SUMMER READING ICE CREAM PARTY
PHOTO EXHIBIT HELD OVER
Bang-Up Book Club
Turn up your summer reading list with this bookclub-meets-scavenger-hunt organized by Bang-up Betty and hosted at Laman Library’s Main and Argenta branches. Bang-Up Book Club is the perfect way for Arkansas jewelry designer Stacey Bowers to unite her love for reading and handmade jewelry, while encouraging people to get out and explore some of the great venues in North Little Rock—the future home to her new gift shop opening this summer. Bang-Up Book Club begins in August and continues through the fall. Anyone can participate — just follow Bang-Up Betty on Instagram and Facebook to watch for clues that lead readers to Stacey’s favorite titles in our collection. Follow the clues, find the books, and get biblio-centric gifts to take home when you check out! Many random readers will also get nice surprises when they open the books they’ve checked out. We love partnering with North Little Rock businesses, and this is certainly an exciting program, combining books and art," said Crystal Gates, our Executive Director. "Bang-Up Betty is known for edgy and handcrafted jewelry, T-shirts, enamel pins, stickers, and gifts. Prizes will include two brand new, book-themed sticker designs, “Ask me what I’m reading” stamped necklaces, bookworm-themed stamped cuff bracelets, and more. “I’m an avid reader, and I love to talk about books, discover new titles at the library, and swap books among my friends. I grew up going to Laman Library, and the Argenta Branch is right across the street from my new shop on Main Street,” Stacey said. Find Bang-Up Betty at bangupbetty.com, Facebook.com/bangupbettyjewelry, Instagram.com/ bangupbetty and opening soon at 429 Main Street in Argenta. We offer services and borrowing privileges to all North Little Rock and Pulaski County residents. Those from outside Pulaski County may request the Gateway application through their local library. Visit lamanlibrary.org or call us for details.
Sometimes life is reflected in innocence, and sometimes, it's gritty, because real life isn't always uplifting, Susan said as her friend Pat wondered about the sorrow she perceived in some of the artists' work as they attended the Humankind exhibition's July 19 opening at Argenta Branch. You have another chance to talk with Blue-Eyed Knocker Photo group members about their work in the show's documenting of universal human conditions with Argenta's Third-Friday ArtWalk, 5 to 8 p.m. on Aug. 20.
The exhibit continues in the library’s first-floor gallery with free admission 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays through Sept. 10.
Photo from the exhibit by: James Allen
Brianna Peterson (left) and Amanda Alls, both of Little Rock, enjoyed Adrienne Taylor’s photograph of a boy hanging on a fence watching bubbles floating through the air. With the texture of the wood, bubbles, and the little boy, Amanda said, the artist was able to make it feel like wonder. The shot definitely has an innocence and some awe to it, Adrienne added.
Photographers who contributed work to the show are: Adams Pryor, Adrienne Taylor, Brandon Markin, Casey Sanders, Cindy Adams, Darrell Adams, Gail Arnold, James Allen, Jon Hodges, Lily Ryall, Matt Weber, Nancy Nolan, Rachel Worthen, Rita Henry, Susan Crisp, and Vince Griffin. The creative writers are John Gibson, Penny Colglazier, and Susan Munden Allen.
Crystal Pearson, of Cabot, and Joyce Warner, of Beebe, pose with Rita Henry’s photo of hands at the opening of the Argenta Branch Library’s Humankind photography exhibit, featuring work from members of the local Blue-Eyed Knocker Photo Group.
Amari (in the photo to the left), Jurnee, and Jailen (above) had a blast tinkering with the water tables Laman's team took to the Summer Family Festival in North Shore Riverpark recently. It was a big day! We spoke with more than 400 people, arranged for several new library cards, gave away candy and a Kindle Fire, and helped children under five sign up to receive free books in the mail from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library.
CHAPTER BOOK CLUB
Stop by Main Branch Children's Department for a Grab & Go Summer Reading Party 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, Aug 6. Turn in your child's Grand Prize tickets before the 4:30 p.m. drawing for a chance to win. We'll post the drawing to Facebook and call to notify the winners.
Photo credit: Mike Armstrong Media
Staff Spotlight
The Sales Tax Holid ARKANSAS SALES TAX HOLIDAY For more information, contact a Sales and Use Tax customer service representative by phone Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (501) 682-7104. According to the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration at dfa.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/exciseTaxOffice/HolidayItemized.pdf
ay is coming soon!
*All month long - Blue-Eyed Knocker Photo Club members' Humankind exhibition at Argenta Branch Library 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekdays *Through Aug. 21 - Justice: Faces of the Human Rights Revolution at UA Pulaski Tech Center for the Arts & Humanities Wingate Gallery 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Weekdays & 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays *Aug. 6 - End of Summer Bash! A Grab & Go event at our Main Branch with ice cream, crafts, prizes - drop in 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Have your child's Grand Prize tickets turned in before the 4:30 p.m. drawing for a chance to win. You need not be present to win. *Aug. 20 - Argenta Third-Friday ArtWalk 5 to 8 p.m. *Aug. 21 - Argenta Plaza Summer Music Series with Ten Penny Gypsy & The Gravel Yard 5 to 8 p.m. *Aug. 26 - Union Pacific's Big Boy locomotive arrives at 1000 West 4th Street at 1:30 p.m. *Aug. 27 - Union Pacific's Big Boy locomotive departs from 1000 West 4th Street at 8 a.m.