FCPL participating in statewide program

The Forrest City Public Library has been included in the second phase release of Mockingbird, the Arkansas Statewide Virtual Union Catalog.

The program allows libraries in the state to borrow items from any participating Arkansas library.

Arlisa Harris, FCPL Director, said the library will be joining several other libraries in the second phase.

"They are adding libraries in stages," said Harris. "Anyone from the state will now be able to see a catalog from us and request items to borrow. It should also give us access to other books in other libraries."

According to the press release, Mockingbird provides a single point of access to participating Arkansas library catalogs. Library users can search this joint catalog and ask their home libraries to request items to be delivered to their libraries for them to borrow. Mockingbird is not a replacement for a library's own catalog, but instead works with different catalog systems around the state to provide extended discoverability and access.

"So we can add what items we want to be able to lend," added Harris.

The first phase of implementation for Arkansas libraries began in February. Approximately 30 libraries or systems representing public, academic and special libraries across the state went live in June. The second phase of libraries went live on Sept. 6, and brought the total number of participating libraries to just over 50.

The funding for the program is through the American Rescue Plan Act. Library directors in the state were surveyed in May last year on their interest in participating in a statewide resource sharing platform.

Katie West • Times-Herald Officials with the Arkansas Department of Health visited the Forrest City Public Library on Monday. Amanda Hunter, left, and Rachel Johnson organize information on breast cancer for those who do not have insurance or are underinsured. The department has a special division for breast cancer care.