Message From Your State Librarian

The Arkansas State Library is excited to welcome Governor Mike Beebe as the June 12th Keynote speaker at the Arkansas Opportunity Online Broadband Summit. Governor Beebe has been a longtime supporter of Arkansas public libraries as well as broadband expansion. It is only fitting that he be part of the summit.

The Arkansas Opportunity Online Broadband Summit assembles library leaders, community partners and statewide stakeholders to examine the current state of connectivity in Arkansas libraries and raise awareness about the need for increased connectivity. Unfortunately, some Arkansas libraries cannot meet the connectivity needs of their patrons. This summit is dedicated to improving connectivity for these libraries as well as improving technology to all Arkansas libraries.

The Arkansas Opportunity Online Summit is not just about libraries. It is about establishing community partnerships which strive to ensure that everyone will have at least one place in their community to use the power of broadband technologies. This summit reaches out to community partners and state leaders who can work with their libraries to harness the power of new technologies for the benefit of all their people and to extend the reach of broadband to areas not currently served. This summit is the beginning of an important partnership among libraries, communities and the state dedicated to improving library connectivity.