New bill would dissolve Arkansas State Library and its board, set new library funding criteria

MARCH 21, 2025 12:28 PM




Arkansas Sen. Dan Sullivan filed legislation Thursday to abolish not only the State Library Board, but the State Library as well.

Senate Bill 536 would carry out Sullivan’s promise to dismantle the library board by transferring the agency’s and board’s powers, authorities, funds, contracts and employees to the Arkansas Department of Education. The Arkansas State Library is already under the department’s umbrella but operates independently, and the board consists of seven members appointed by the governor who disburse funds to public libraries on a quarterly basis.

In February, Sullivan introduced Senate Bill 184, which would have abolished the State Library Board but not the State Library. The bill also would have dissolved the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, which oversees Arkansas PBS and is also under the education department but operates independently.

Sullivan, a Republican from Jonesboro, said he would amend SB 184 to no longer include the Arkansas PBS commission after making an agreement with the chairman. As of Friday morning, the amendment had not been posted on the Legislature’s website. Sullivan did not respond to a text message asking if SB 184 will not be considered now that SB 536 has been filed.

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https://arkansasadvocate.com/2025/03/21/new-bill-would-dissolve-arkansas-state-library-and-its-board-set-new-library-funding-criteria/