Arkansas Libraries Await State Aid After Board Questions Audit Rules

Funding for summer programs and book transportation in limbo as state library board delays $1.37 million in quarterly disbursements

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Arkansas public libraries are facing uncertainty over state funding after the state Library Board declined to distribute more than $1 million in quarterly aid. The board cited concerns over the rules for required financial audits and the use of funds, particularly for a multi-county library system that has not been audited in years. The delay has left library directors worried about their ability to pay for summer reading programs and other services.

Why it matters

The state funding is crucial for public libraries in Arkansas, supporting services ranging from summer reading programs to the ability to transport books between facilities. The board's decision to withhold the funds has raised concerns about the long-term impact on library operations and patron services, especially in smaller, rural communities that rely more heavily on state aid.

The details

The Library Board's decision to table the $1.37 million disbursement came after board members expressed concerns that a multi-county library system in north Arkansas has not been audited in years. The board said they need clarity on the rules for libraries' required financial audits and the use of state funds. Library directors say the delayed funding limits their ability to pay for summer reading programs and other services.

  • The Library Board declined to approve the $1.37 million in quarterly funding on Friday, February 15, 2026.
  • The next regular Library Board meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2026, and the board may call a special meeting before then to clarify the funding rules.

The players

Clay Goff

Chairman of the Arkansas State Library Board.

Allie Gosselink

Director of the Calhoun County Library.

John McGraw

Director of the Faulkner-Van Buren Regional Library.

Deb Meyer

Director of the Van Buren County libraries.

Jack Fortner

Member of the Arkansas State Library Board, representing the 1st Congressional District.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Just passing out money with no set rules is not good stewardship of public funds.”

— Clay Goff, Chairman, Arkansas State Library Board (Arkansas Advocate)

“Some of the money from our county budget went into finishing the final payment on our building this year, so that means I have a little less money for operational expenses and funding throughout the year.”

— Deb Meyer, Director, Van Buren County Libraries (Arkansas Advocate)

“The only folks who are losing here are the libraries who do everything right and their patrons who get the funding.”

— Adam Webb, President, Arkansas Library Association; Director, Garland County Library (Arkansas Advocate)

What’s next

The Arkansas State Library Board plans to meet with the state attorney general's office and the Department of Education to clarify the funding rules before their next regular meeting on May 8, 2026. The board may also call a special meeting before then to address the issue.

The takeaway

This delay in state funding highlights the ongoing challenges facing public libraries in Arkansas, as the state Library Board grapples with issues of accountability and transparency around the use of taxpayer dollars. The uncertainty over funding threatens to disrupt critical library services, underscoring the need for clear and consistent rules to ensure libraries can continue serving their communities effectively.