FAQs

The library can provide the following audiovisual items if available and with advanced notice:

• TV
• DVD/Blu-ray player
• Laptop
• Podium
• Microphone
• Projection Screen
• LCD Projector
• Overhead Projector
• Slide Projector

Food or drink is allowed only by special permission. Only catered meals, covered-dish meals or light refreshments can be served. No red punch, kool-aid or grape juice will be allowed. Dishes, paper towels, kitchen utensils and coffee accessories must be furnished by the user organization. All groups are responsible for food and/or trash cleanup. Garbage must be placed in trash can.

To book a meeting room, fill out the Room Reservation form. You may also call 501-778-4766 to reserve a room in Benton, call 501-847-2166 to reserve a room in Bryant, or call 501-315-3153 to reserve a room in East End.

We do not have dedicated study rooms available for reservation. In Benton, we have study stations that are available on a walk-in first-come, first-served basis. In East End, there are study areas available in a shared space that are also available on a walk-in, first-come, first-served basis.

Stop by the help desk at either library location and ask to join, or fill out the form here and bring it to either location.

WANT TO DONATE GENTLY-USED BOOKS, DVD’S & MUSIC TO THE LIBRARY? THANK YOU!

The following is a list of items we CANNOT accept:

• Damaged books. Damage would include: damage from water, smoke, mold, broken spines, torn pages and pages written on or highlighted.
• Reference books
• Computer books & manuals
• Reader’s Digest Condensed Books
• MAGAZINES including National Geographic and American Heritage
• Outdated Textbooks
• VHS tapes
• Vinyl records
• Audio cassettes
• Bulk packs or other bound study materials

We thank you for your donations!

Donations in new or like-new condition can be dropped off at either library location.

Items donated will be added to the collection or repurposed. Items must be in good condition, a condition that you would want to check out.

Donations may be dropped off at the front desk at both locations.

If you have a large donation, please call us to schedule a time to drop it off, so that we can be available to assist you with unloading.

Have you entered your library card number and PIN correctly?

• Your library card number is located on the back of your library card. It is a 14 digit number beginning with either “247” or “147.”
• Your PIN is your 4 digit birth year (newer cards) or the last 4 digits of your phone number (older cards).

If you’ve entered the library card and pin correctly, but it still doesn’t work, there may be another problem with your account:

1. Your library account may be expired. Accounts expire every 3 years. If this is the case, you will need to come by one of our locations and update your contact information. You can renew over the phone, but you will only have access to our eLibrary materials.
2. You may owe a fine over $5.00. Call us to verify.

If you’ve confirmed that you’re entering your library card and PIN correctly, call (501) 778-4766 or fill out the “How Can We Help You” form.

If you live, own property, work or attend school in Saline County, you are eligible to apply for a regular Saline County Library Card. If you do not, here are the other types of cards that we offer:

Reciprocal Cards:

Citizens of Cleveland, Dallas, Garland, Grant and Hot Spring County can apply for a Saline County Library card because of a special reciprocal agreement by the three library boards.

Non-resident Cards:

A non-resident is a person who does not live or own property in Saline County or a reciprocal county. You must present a photo ID and pay an annual fee of $10.00 to obtain a non-resident library card.

Saline County Property Owners:

If you live out of the county but own property in Saline County, you may obtain a resident card free of charge. Bring your photo ID and one of the following that includes your name and the address of the property: tax collector receipt, tax statement or mortgage papers.

A limited use eLibrary card is available for free to Saline County residents (as well as other areas we have reciprocal borrowing agreements with). It is also available to out-of-county residents for $10.00 per year.

This account will only give you access to online resources through this website, including our eLibrary. It does not give the user access to physical material or computer lab use. Registration is effective for 3 years and may be updated over the phone.

Apply for an eLibrary card. You will be mailed a card and PIN, and receive an email from us. If you are required to pay $10.00, we must receive your payment first.

If you need assistance with this application process, please contact us at (501) 778-4766.

Cards expire every 3 years. To renew your card, bring a government-issued ID and any updated contact information. If you would like to renew your card over the phone, we can update it as an eLibrary card only.

Saline County Library is closed for the following holidays:

• New Year’s Day (January 1)
• Martin Luther King’s Birthday (third Monday in January)
• President’s Day (third Monday in February)
• Good Friday (Friday before Easter)
• Memorial Day (last Monday in May)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Labor Day (first Monday in September)
• Veterans’ Day (November 11)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday in November)
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• Christmas Day (December 25)

If a holiday falls on a Saturday, the library will be closed the Friday before and the holiday. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, the library will be closed the Monday after the holiday.

The library will close at 5:30 PM the day before a holiday.

Other closing days for in-service will be by board approval and will be announced on the website and in the local newspaper.

Our Benton passport office hours are:

• Monday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Tuesday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Wednesday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Thursday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Friday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
• Saturday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM by appointment only

Our Bryant passport office hours are (by appointment only):

• Monday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Tuesday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Wednesday 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
• Thursday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
• Friday 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
• Saturday ONLY if you have an appointment

We prefer that you make an appointment for passport assistance for either location so we can insure that a passport agent is available. We do accept walk-ins in Benton, but if you do not have an appointment, we can not guarantee that a passport agent will be available to assist you . You can make an appointment for our Benton location by calling (501) 778-4766 or Bryant at (501) 847-2166. To receive passport assistance in Bryant, appointments are required.

Passport appointments are required on Saturdays.

Passport photos can be taken at the library and cost $10.00. Please allow extra time for young children.

There are two separate fees. You will need to pay the fees separately. The State Department doesn’t take credit/debit cards. Only photo fees may be paid with a credit/debit card.

To calculate your fees, use this link: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/requirements/fees.html

Fees Paid to the U.S. Department of State

The application fee is dependent on a number of factors—age, type of passport, and whether you need any additional services.

If you need your passport in a hurry, there could be a fee to expedite the application and/or a delivery fee.

For these fees we accept:

• Checks (personal, certified, cashier’s, traveler’s) (payable to “U.S. Department of State”)
• Money orders (payable to “U.S. Department of State”)

*Credit and debit cards CANNOT be accepted for Department of State Fees*

Fees Paid to the Saline County Library

The execution fee is $35 and paid separately to the Saline County Library. (Passport renewals do not have an execution fee.) If you need a passport photo, the library can provide one. The cost is $10.

We (the Saline County Library) accept the following for photo fees:

• Money orders (payable to “Saline County Library”)
• Personal checks and cash (payable to “Saline County Library”)
• Credit cards

We (the Saline County Library) accept the following for execution fees:

• Money orders (payable to “Saline County Library”)
• Personal checks and cash (payable to “Saline County Library”)

Routine 6 – 9 weeks; expedited 3 – 5 weeks.

What to expect: 

• Mail delays are impacting when the U.S. Department of State is receiving passport applications for processing. Their processing times begin the day they receive your application, not the day you apply/mail it
• Routine service can take 8-11 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 11-week timeframe includes up to 6 weeks for processing and up to 4 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.
• Expedite service (for an additional $60) can take 5-7 weeks from the day an application is submitted to the day a new passport is received. The 7-week timeframe includes up to 4 weeks for processing and up to 2 weeks for mailing times on the front and back end.

Our processing times (8-11 weeks for routine; 5-7 weeks for expedite) do not include mailing times. Mail times vary and delays have been significant. Plan ahead:

We suggest you:

• Send your application to the U.S. Department of State via trackable mail, so you can track your application before it enters their system. This can be done whether applying at an acceptance facility or by mail.
• Pay an extra $17.56 for 1-2 day delivery for the return of your completed passport.

More about Status Updates: It may take up to 6 weeks from the day you submit your application until your status is “In Process.” During these 6 weeks, your application is delivered to a mail facility, your payment is processed, and your application is entered into the system. Even if your passport status update says, “Not Available,” your application and supporting documents are safely on their way to the U.S. Department of State. Check online for your passport status.

Use Self-Service Tools Online: The U.S. Department of State call center is experiencing extremely high call volumes with longer-than-usual wait times. You can get your questions answered immediately by using one of the self-service tools available on the U.S. Department of State website 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. What you see online is the same information that call center representatives can share with you by phone.

Planning to Travel? Apply Early! Apply at least six months before planned travel. Due to limited availability for urgent travel appointments, we cannot guarantee you can receive in-person service at a passport agency or center. We are prioritizing customers with life-or-death emergencies. Visit the Passport Agency and Center page to learn more.

Renew by Mail: Adults with 10-year passports can renew them by mail instead of appearing in person.

Adults who are interested in volunteering may find more information through the Friends of the Library and volunteering with the Used Book Sale room. Visit the Friends of the Library page to learn more.

You may renew your items online unless they are overdue. Overdue items may be renewed over the phone.

The following items may not be renewed:

• An item requested by another person
• An item that has already been renewed twice
• Interlibrary loan material

As of September 1, 2023, if an item is due and has not yet been returned, the item’s checkout will automatically be renewed. The standard rules apply—if the item is on hold for someone else, or has already been renewed the maximum number of times, it will not be renewed. Most library items are allowed to be renewed twice. When a patron’s item has been auto-renewed, the patron will receive a notification via email or text message, depending on their preference.

Here are the maximum number of items you can check out by type, per card:

• Board Games: 2
• Entertainment Equipment: 1
• Learning Kits: 2
• Mobile Hotspots: 1
• Preloaded Tablets: 1
• DVDs: 10
• Video Games: 2
• Wellness Kits: 1

eLibrary:

• Libby: 5 at a time/7 holds at a time
• Overdrive: 5 at a time/7 holds at a time
• Freegal: 3 downloads/week
• Kanopy: 10/month
• Hoopla: 10/month

If an item is checked out, you may reserve it. This is called placing a hold. Holds are made by using the website, calling or requesting help from a staff member.

We will notify you when the item becomes available either email, Text, or call. The item will be held for 7 days.

After 3 days, it will move to the next person on the list, or be placed back on the shelf.

Interlibrary loans are available on items not owned by Saline County Library or another Mid-Arkansas affiliated library and are/or 6 months old or older (sometimes we can’t get a book even if it’s not 6 months. You must have a valid Saline County Library card and be in good standing.

To see if your requested material qualifies for an Interlibrary loan, complete the Suggest Material form. The form needs to be filled out as completely as possible, especially for special formats such as large print or audio. There is a $1.00 fee charged per filled request for interlibrary loan materials.

In order to continue offering interlibrary loan services, it is necessary to maintain good relations with cooperating libraries. Library materials should be returned promptly. The loaned materials are due according to the owner library’s due dates.

Sometimes the library lending the book will put special restrictions on the materials, such as use within the library. The Saline County Library, in fairness, must insist on compliance with such restrictions. You will be contacted when the requested material has been received. If you fail to pick up an interlibrary loan that has been ordered, the library may refuse to order for you in the future. You will still owe the $1.00 fee.

You may suggest material for the library to purchase for the collection. If the item is purchased, you will be placed on hold for it. While the library will attempt to order as many suggested materials as possible, we will evaluate purchase requests based on price, reviews, publication date and availability.

The Saline County Library is now fine-free. However, you will still be charged for damaged or lost items.

If an item is claimed lost by a patron or by the library, the patron will be responsible for replacing the item either by paying the cost of the item or giving the library a replacement copy. A replacement copy is defined as a brand new, exact copy of the item with the same ISBN and format.

Users who return damaged items to the library will be assessed a fee.

Damage includes, but is not limited to, items which have had barcodes and other library markings removed, water damage, torn pages, writing, chewed edges or excessively dirty.

If the damage cannot be repaired, you will be charged the replacement cost. If you pay for a damaged item, you may keep it. If damage is due to a disaster, such as a fire or a tornado, there will be no cost for damages; however, proof must be provided that this disaster occurred. Examples of proof are: insurance paperwork, police report or a newspaper clipping with details.

It is both the library staff and the patron’s responsibility to note any condition problem at the time of check out and not after the item has been returned. The last person to have the item will be charged for the damage.

Patrons are still allowed borrowing privileges in the library with up to $5.00 in fines. This only includes physical materials.

A fine of any amount will block you from borrowing eBooks on Overdrive.

Borrow eBooks from Overdrive. You will now select “Mid-Ark Regional Library System” as your library. When you log in, it will ask for your library card number and PIN, which is the last 4 digits of your phone number or your 4 digit birth year. Search for the title you are looking for, tap or click the cover, and choose “Borrow.”

With the Libby App, open the app and select the Libby icon in the top right corner. Then select “Add A Library” and enter “Arkansas” in the search bar. Next, select “Saline County Library” and click “Sign In With My Library Card.”  From here, you will follow steps similar to the Overdrive App. Click the drop down arrow and select “Mid-Ark Regional Library System” and enter your library card number and PIN. Now click “Enter The Library” to begin searching through all of the eLibrary materials.

If you need help, see the Overdrive help page.

It doesn’t matter which location you checked the item out from, you can return it to Bob Herzfeld Library in Benton or Mable Boswell Library in Bryant.

Books by mail is a service designed to meet the needs of the homebound and those residents of Saline County who live farther than 15 miles from a branch and who are deemed capable of independent responsibility. Books and other formats are selected individually for each patron according to the patron’s interests or the patron’s specific requests. Materials will be sent on a regular schedule. Library materials are delivered by mail in zippered pouches with reversible address labels for easy mail return. A patron may have 4 items at a time.

These services are available to those who cannot utilize traditional library services or it would cause an undo hardship to do so including: elderly, physically impaired, injured, critically ill, long term care facilities residents, retirement center residents and rehabilitation center residents.

These book boxes allow the people of Saline County to have free access to reading materials 24/7, 365 days a year, whether the library is open or not. Our mission is to provide reading material to our community free of charge without ever having to come to the library.

Book boxes are stationed at the following locations:

Bryant Center: 6401 Boone Rd, Bryant

Healing Waters: 14032 Sardis Rd, Shannon Hills

Lance’s Convenience Store: 3821 Edison Ave, Benton

Riverside Grocery: 4444 AR-5, Benton

Harrison Family Pharmacy: 2323 Arkansas-229 Suite A, Haskell

JJ’s Diner: 6106 Interstate 30, Malvern

Alexander Outreach Center: 15202 W Azalea Dr., Alexander

Lonsdale Cutoff SQRL: 7209 E Grand Ave, Lonsdale

Book Club Kits include a tote bag, luggage tag (with barcode), its numbered books, and a Sign-out sheet. Each Book Club Kit is checked out for 60 days.

If there is a lost or damaged book, the book must be replaced or paid for by either the patron that checked out the Book Club Kit, or the patron that signed out the book. If the entire Book Club Kit is lost, there will be a fine that equals the entire price of the contents of that particular Book Club Kit. The fine will go to the patron that checked out the Book Club Kit.

Children 12 and under require supervision while in the library. See our Unattended Child Policy for more information.

The library hosts many after-hours events for youth and adults throughout the year. Children and Teens are required to submit a contract in order to attend any after-hours events. Event Contract.pdf

Storytimes are held throughout the week at both locations. View our calendar for a full list of storytimes.

Here is a list of some of our favorites!

Songs and rhymes for babies:

Pat a Cake

Pat a cake, pat a cake, baker’s man
Bake me a cake as fast as you can.
Rolllllllll it. And paaaaaat it. And mark it with a B.
And toss it in the oven for baby and me!

Where, oh where, are baby’s fingers?

Where, oh where, are baby’s fingers?
Where, oh where, are baby’s toes?
Where’s the baby’s bellybutton?
Round and round it goes!

Where, oh where, are baby’s ears?
Where, oh where, is baby’s nose?
Where’s the baby’s bellybutton?
Round and round it goes!

Peek a boo

Peek a boo, peek a boo
I see you! I see you!
I see your little nose, and your little toes.
Peek a boo, peek a boo.

Tick tock

Tick tock, tick tock, I’m a little cuckoo clock
Tick tock, tick tock, now I’m striking one o’clock. Cuckoo!
(repeat for two and three o’clock)

What shall we do with a tiny baby?

What shall we do with a tiny baby? What shall we do with a tiny baby?
What shall we do with a tiny baby? Early in the morning.
Hug and squeeze and kiss the baby. Hug and squeeze and kiss the baby.
Hug and squeeze and kiss the baby. Early in the morning.
Hoppity hop, bounce-along baby. Hoppity hop, bounce-along baby.
Hoppity hop, bounce-along baby. Early in the morning.
Yippee-yi-yay! Up goes baby! Yippee-dee-yay! Up goes baby!
Yippee-yi-yay! Up goes baby! Early in the morning.

Toddler and preschool songs and rhymes:

Roly poly

Roly poly, roly poly, up up up, up up up! (circle arms over each other moving upwards)
Roly poly poly, roly poly poly, down down down, down down down.
Roly poly, roly poly, out out out, out out out!
Roly poly poly, roly poly poly, down in in in, in in in.
Roly poly, roly poly, fast fast fast, fast fast fast!
Roly poly poly, roly poly poly, slow slow slow, slow slow slow.

Hurry, Hurry

Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck (Hands on steering wheel)
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Hurry, hurry, drive the fire truck
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! (Ring bell)

Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder (Pretend to climb ladder)
Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder
Hurry, hurry, climb the ladder
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! (Ring bell)

Hurry, hurry, squirt the water (Pretend to spray hose)
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water
Hurry, hurry, squirt the water
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! (Ring bell)

Slowly, slowly, back to the station (Lean slowly to the left and right)
Slowly, slowly, back to the station
Slowly, slowly, back to the station
Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding! (Ring bell)

Zoom, zoom, zoom

Zoom, zoom, zoom
(clap hands rhythmically)
We’re going to the moon
Zoom, zoom, zoom
We’ll be there very soon
If you’d like to take a trip, clim aboard my rocket ship
Zoom, zoom, zoom
we’re going to the moon
In 5…4…3…2…1…Blast off! (jump up and blast off)

Children 12 and under require supervision while in the library. See our Unattended Child Policy for more information.

We have a variety of programs for homeschoolers of all ages throughout the week. View our calendar for a full list of homeschool programs.

The goal of the Homeschool Collection is to provide greater accessibility to educational resources that assist homeschool teachers and parent educators with curricular development for children, Kindergarten through grade 8. This collection includes curriculum, teacher-edition textbooks, test preparation materials, homeschool parent reference materials, and the Practical Homeschooling Magazine. Additionally, we have the Launchpad tablets and Youth Services Kits, which are aimed at providing a hands-on approach to learning in a variety of subjects. Homeschool Curriculum is for in-library use only, but all other materials are available for check out.

Our Youth Services Kits that are aimed at providing a hands-on approach to learning in a variety of subjects and target ages.

For infants and toddlers:
These kits are designed to be utilized by children ages 1-2 and their caregivers. Based on the Montessori Method of learning, the activities in these kits embrace the method’s focus on self-directed activity, natural curiosity, multi-sensory learning, and collaborative play. 

• • Montessori Inspired Play – 12-18 mo.

• • Montessori Inspired Play – 18-24 mo.

• • Montessori Inspired Play – 24-36 mo.

For Early Literacy:These kits are designed to be utilized by children ages 1-5 and their caregivers. Based on the five early literacy practices of Every Child Ready to Read, the included activities are aimed at helping your child develop the skills needed to learn to read once they are ready.

• • Read

• • Play

• • Write

• • Talk

• • Sing

For Storytime:These kits are designed to be utilized by children ages 2-6 and their caregivers or early childhood educators. The activities in these kits are intended to replicate the Storytime experience at home or in the classroom. 

• • Mouse Paint

• • Elephants & Pigs

• • Animals

• • Out of Place

• • Clothing

• • Food

• • Going to School

• • Story Kit I

• • Story Kit II

• • Story Kit III

• • The Three Little Pigs Story Kit

• • The Three Billy Goats Gruff Story Kit

For all-age learning:These kits cover a variety of educational topics for students in preschool through high school.Kits include materials to supplement learning in a particular subject area or to support a specific educational need. 

• • Preschool Skills

• • Kindergarten Readiness I: General Skills

• • Kindergarten Readiness II: Math & Literacy Skills

• • Sight Words & Phonics

• • Alphabet

• • Handwriting

• • Learning to Read

• • Rhyming Words

• • Visual Learning

• • Sensory Tools

• • Fidget Tools

• • Mindfulness for Kids

• • Making Music I: Musical Exploration

• • Making Music II: Beginning Music Literacy

• • The Three Billy Goats Gruff STEM Kit

• • The Three Little Pigs STEM Kit

• • Goldilocks & The Three Bears STEM Kit

• • The Gingerbread Man STEM Kit

• • Makey Makey Inventions

• • Chain Reactions

• • Squishy Circuits

• • Addition & Subtraction

• • Multiplication & Division

• • Fractions

• • Telling Time

• • Number Sense I

• • Number Sense II

• • Counting Money

• • Weights & Measures

• • Plant & Animal Cells

• • Human Body

• • United States

• • Explore Arkansas

• • Learning Braille

• • Spanish I: Essentials

• • Spanish II: Intermediate

• • Spanish III: Advanced

• • French I: Essentials

• • French II: Intermediate

• • French III: Advanced

• • Wired Kids Headphones

• • CD Player

• • Graphing Calculator

We have a wide variety of both educational and entertainment-based Launchpad tablets available for check out. Launchpads are pre-loaded with content for a variety of ages, easy-to-use, 100% secure, and do not allow internet access. See all our available Launchpad tablets here.

Brainfuse

HelpNow provides live tutoring on a variety of subjects, offering a comprehensive suite of online academic services designed to support many learning needs and styles.

Novelist K-8

Find new authors, series, other titles of a favorite author, match plots or characters. Create your own lists of titles you want to read or have read. Check the library’s catalog to see if we own a particular title and its availability. Focuses on materials for students.

Arkansas State Library K-8 Student Resources

The Arkansas State Library provides access to online encyclopedias, primary source materials and various reference collection databases to aid research.

Here is a list of other helpful homeschool resources not affiliated with the Saline County Library.

Arkansas Virtual Academy

Home Educators of Greater Little Rock

Arkansas Homeschool Support Groups

Arkansas Homeschool Support Groups Resource Directory

State Organizations and Local Homeschool Groups:

Central Arkansas Homeschoolers

Consumer Affairs – Best Online Homeschool Reviews

The concept is simple; the rewards are priceless. Read a book (any book) to your newborn, infant, and/or toddler. The goal is to read 1,000 books (yes, you can repeat books) before your precious one starts kindergarten. Does it sound hard? Not really if you think about it. If you read just one book a night, you will have read about 365 books in a year. That is 730 books in two years and 1,095 books in three years. If you consider that most children start kindergarten at around 5 years of age, you have more time than you think (so get started!).

The key is perseverance. Make it exciting. When your child reaches a milestone, give him/her a small reward (stickers, backpacks, books).

Sign up for 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten.

Sign up at the children’s desk at either library branch or on Beanstack. You will receive a folder that includes a handout on why it’s important to read to your child, a book & author list (just for suggestions!), and a reading tracker.

When your child reaches a milestone (100 books, 200 books, etc.), bring your tracker to the library and your child will get a sticker to put on the wall.

Once your child reaches 1,000 books, he or she will get to pick out a book from the library to keep!