By Ella Miller

Most think of the Fayetteville Public Library as a great study spot or the go-to place to check out books. What most don’t know is how many free and hidden opportunities are waiting to be discovered at the library.

The library’s Manager of Adult Services Heather Robideaux, said the library expansion has opened up a lot of new spaces and opportunities. The library’s art movement room offers free art, dance, mediation, and yoga classes. The Center For Innovation has tech resources such as a professional video studio, photography studio, 3-D printing space and robotics lab. The library also holds lectures, workshops and concerts. 

Even the book clubs have different opportunities, such as meeting outside of the library, so students can enjoy dinner while talking about a book.

“It’s a good way to shift the brain and remember that (reading) is fun to do too, and meet some new people,” Robideaux said. “We’ve got options for any interest.”

Mary Beth Kemp, a first-year graduate student in the Master’s in English program at the University of Arkansas, started coming to the library when she was an undergraduate and has continued coming since. 

“I’m honestly at the public library probably five to six times a week,” Kemp said. “I joke that I basically live there.”

Kemp said she does most of her graduate writing and research at the library but does attend their events occasionally such as yoga and craft classes. Kemp also went to the library’s Roots Festival in 2022, which was a folk music festival that partnered with local chefs and musicians for a three-day event. 

“It was a really special event,” Kemp said. Lots of people from the community showed out — college students, families, kids — and everyone was just dancing and enjoying the space.”

Aside from the events, Kemp said “As an English major and avid reader, I have been to a lot of libraries, and the Fayetteville Public Library is by far my favorite. The space is so beautiful. I really appreciate all the natural light and the rooftop plants.”

Mairi Morassut, a first-year Master of Design student at the U of A regularly attends the library’s weekly yoga class. 

“The room is always filled jam-packed with people from all walks of life,” Morassut said. “I love that environment that we can all collectively share and do something good for our minds and bodies. Everyone is so friendly, and you feel the warm collective energy.” 

The library’s Monday yoga classes are free, and you don’t need to register beforehand. They offer yoga mats, blocks and other props. Alexzandrea Hollinshed, a 200-hour registered yoga instructor, teaches yoga at the library every first Monday of the month. 

“It does really warm my heart to know that so many people know about community yoga and they want to be here — and that we’re able to provide this for them,” Hollinshed said.

Hollinshed said she specializes in beginner yoga due to feeling intimidated when she first started doing yoga herself. 

“I just want to be able to offer a low-stress way to introduce people into the practice,” Hollinshed said. “I tell jokes, I play fun music (during class). It’s just a way to take the edge off so that everybody and every body can do yoga.” 

Morassut said she’s practiced yoga for a few years, but as a student, the cost of attending weekly classes at a studio can add up. “It’s very beginner friendly which is still nice for me as a more advanced student to go back to simple movements,” Morassut said. 

Hollinshed’s approach helps make yoga more welcoming for beginners, creating a relaxed and inclusive atmosphere. The free classes make it easier for people to experience yoga without the financial barriers, a benefit that many participants value.

“It’s amazing that they offer free classes for anyone,” Kemp said. “It’s hard to find free workout classes that are so easily accessible.”

U of A junior Avanley Danenhauer started going to the Fayetteville Public Library as a kid with her mom and still comes to the library as a student now. Danenhauer studies at the library, attends the yoga sessions and said her favorite part is “arguably the drinks at Arsagas.”

Danenhauer said one of her best memories at the library was “going there as a kid to play games on the computers while wearing those massive headphones. They no longer have the same (headphones), it’s sad.”

In June, the library held an In Conversation with Taylor Jenkins Reid event. U of A senior Tru Joi Curtis was able to attend the event with her mom.

“I have been a fan of Taylor Jenkins Reid for a while, so I was thrilled to have the opportunity to attend an event to learn more about her and her writing process,” Curtis said. “The talk itself was a great experience, and I was even able to ask Taylor Jenkins Reid a question.”

Curtis expressed her excitement about getting two of her favorite books signed by the author, describing the experience as surreal and said she was grateful to have a local library that hosts fantastic and unique events.

Beyond its collection of books, the Fayetteville Public Library has become a center for learning, creativity, and connection. Whether through music festivals, yoga classes, book author talks or their diverse spaces, the library continues to offer an enriching environment for all. The Fayetteville Public Library remains a cherished resource that brings the community together in meaningful ways.