About the Show:

"Our mission is to meet the needs of the community, and anyway that we can do that is the way that we'll do that."

Nina Hodgson

About the Guest:

Nina Hodgson is the Marketing Director at the Springdale Public Library, where she plays a pivotal role in enhancing the library's visibility and connecting with the diverse community of Springdale, Arkansas. With a background in library and information services, Nina started as an information assistant and worked her way up to her current position. Her passion for public service and community engagement shines through in her dynamic approach to library marketing and outreach.

Episode Summary:

In this insightful episode of the I am Northwest Arkansas podcast, host Randy Wilburn sits down with Nina Hodgson from the Springdale Public Library to explore the myriad of services and resources this century-old institution offers. Established over a hundred years ago in a Presbyterian church, the library has grown alongside the city of Springdale, adapting to meet the needs of its vibrant and diverse community. From multilingual collections to cultural storytimes, the library remains a cornerstone for education, entertainment, and community engagement.

As they delve deeper into the role of public libraries, Nina discusses the wide range of programs available, including ESL classes, storytimes, crafting classes, and even fishing pole rentals. She emphasizes the library's mission to serve as a resource for everyone by offering access to technology, such as online tutoring and digital book rentals through services like Libby and Hoopla. Randy and Nina highlight the invaluable free services available to residents, including computer access, notary services, and even the possibility of renting a meeting space—all underscoring the library's commitment to community support and lifelong learning.

Key Takeaways:

The Springdale Public Library provides residents with a wide variety of programs, from ESL classes to crafting, designed to cater to its diverse community.
Library resources extend beyond books, offering online movie streaming services, ancestry databases, and fishing pole rentals.
The library plans to expand its physical size to accommodate larger programs and events, showcasing its ongoing commitment to community growth and engagement.
There are numerous free resources available to library cardholders, including access to digital books, audiobooks, and New York Times subscriptions.
The importance of public libraries remains critical, as they continue to adapt by integrating technology and additional resources to meet the changing needs of the community.

All this and more on this episode of the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast.

Important Links and Mentions on the Show*

Email Nina Hodgson

Website Springdale Public Library

Springdale Public Library on Facebook

Springdale Public Library on Instagram

Tune in to KUAF 91.3 FM to listen to the I Am Northwest Arkansas podcast on Ozarks at Large every Tuesday at 12 Noon and 7 PM CST. And, check us out on their podcast as well.

This episode is sponsored by*

Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

Northwest Arkansas Council - "Life Works Here!"

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*Note: some of the resources mentioned may be affiliate links. This means we get paid a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you use that link to make a purchase.

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Signature Bank of Arkansas "Community Banking at its Best!"

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