North Little Rock notebook

Library branch to close Saturdays

Starting in July, the Argenta Branch library of the William F. Laman Public Library System will be closed on Saturdays as a cost-cutting measure, the library system’s board of trustees approved at its monthly meeting last week.

The Argenta Branch, at 420 Main St. in North Little Rock’s downtown, currently is open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. on Saturdays, but averages only five to 15 visitors on Saturdays, and not all are there for library purposes, Laman Library Executive Director Crystal Gates said.

Some library patrons go to both the Argenta Branch and the main library at 2801 Orange St. on many Saturdays, so the change isn’t expected to cost the system any patrons, Gates told the board. The change becomes effective July 6, the first Saturday of the month.

The board also approved reducing this year’s budgeted expenditures for the library system by $67,100 over concerns about continuing to meet annual bond debt payments over the next six years.

ACT prep classes to begin Monday

A free ACT Preparatory Program aimed at college-bound 11th- and 12th-grade students will be offered through June by the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, North Little Rock extension at 1333 Main St. in North Little Rock.

The free classes begin Monday and continue through June 25 with 10 sessions scheduled. The program serves students from Pulaski, Lonoke, Woodruff, Chicot and other counties, and this UAPB extension program will recruit students from high schools in Little Rock and North Little Rock, according to program information.

The ACT Preparatory Program focuses on helping college-bound youths improve their ACT scores to 19 and above, and gain access to college scholarships, according to program details. More information is available by contacting the university extension at (501) 374-3985.

Google initiative to host free event

Google’s Grow with Google initiative will host a free event June 19 in North Little Rock’s William F. Laman Public Library at 2801 Orange St., to help job seekers, small-business owners, students, educators and entrepreneurs improve their digital skills.

Google staff members will lead hands-on workshops about online marketing for small businesses, search engine optimization and everyday digital skills, according to a news release. Attendees can also sign up for one-on-one training with Google staff members.

Attendees will be able to drop in for a few sessions or stay all day for the Laman Library event, the release said.

Google began Grow with Google in October 2017. More information about the free event and how to register is available at g.co/GrowArkansas. Space will be limited, so advance registration is recommended, the release said.

Metro on 06/09/2019