West Memphis Public Library and Innovation Center
🏢 City of West Memphis · West Memphis, Arkansas
West Memphis Public Library and Innovation Center
Opened March 18, 2021 as the first new civic building in West Memphis in roughly 30 years, this 14,400-square-foot Innovation Center on East Broadway doubles the footprint of its predecessor and anchors downtown revitalization just a mile from the Mississippi River's Big River Crossing pedestrian bridge.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–7pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–7pm |
| Thursday | 10am–7pm |
| Friday | 10am–5pm |
| Saturday | 10am–3pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 500 East Broadway, West Memphis, AR 72301
Phone: (870) 732-7590
Website: westmemphisar.gov
Plus Code: 867F4RWC+JG (West Memphis, AR)
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📖 About West Memphis Public Library and Innovation Center
The West Memphis Public Library and Innovation Center opened March 18, 2021 at 500 East Broadway, replacing a cramped 7,000-square-foot building whose newest wing dated to the mid-1970s. Designed by Allen & Hoshall and built as part of a $12 million civic renewal package, the 14,400-square-foot facility was the first civic structure completed in West Memphis in roughly 30 years. Positioned on the Broadway corridor to anchor economic revitalization, it sits about a mile from the Big River Crossing — the longest dedicated pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Mississippi River. The library is operated independently by the City of West Memphis and serves the approximately 27,666 residents of its Crittenden County service area; its standalone Polaris catalog provides access to circulating books, DVDs, e-books, e-magazines, streaming music, streaming video, and subscription databases.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Brand-new 14,400 sq ft facility opened March 18, 2021 — the first civic building completed in West Memphis in ~30 years, designed by Allen & Hoshall
- 100-person multipurpose room and 18-person conference room, available free to qualifying nonprofits and community groups
- Dedicated children's makerspace for crafts and projects, plus a separate teen gaming and lounge area
- Polaris catalog with e-books, e-magazines, streaming music, and streaming video alongside physical collections
- Natural daylighting throughout and LED lighting with occupancy controls — built to current energy and sustainability codes
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
West Memphis cardholders get free digital access through Arkansas statewide and library resources:
📚 Services
- Circulating print collections: books, DVDs, audiobooks
- Public computers with internet access and free Wi-Fi
- E-books, e-magazines, streaming music and video via Polaris catalog
- 100-person multipurpose room and 18-person conference room (free to nonprofits, by reservation)
- Children's makerspace for crafts and projects
- Teen gaming and lounge area
- Interlibrary loan and reference assistance
- HeritageQuest Online genealogy database
- Mango Languages online language learning
🎸 Programs
- Storytime: pre-readers must be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult
- Summer Reading Club: seven-week program for kindergarten through sixth grade with weekly themed activities
- Young adult and teen programs
- Community meeting and event programming in the multipurpose room
📍 Nearby Libraries in Arkansas
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in West Memphis · Browse all Arkansas libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the West Memphis Public Library serve all Crittenden County residents, or only West Memphis city residents?
The West Memphis Public Library is an independent city library whose service area is Crittenden County (population ~27,666). Residents of other Crittenden County communities who prefer a branch closer to home can also use the separate Woolfolk Public Library system, which maintains the Margaret Woolfolk branch in Marion and smaller branches in Crawfordsville, Earle, Edmondson, Gilmore, Hughes, and Turrell.
What does 'Innovation Center' mean in practice — is this different from a traditional library?
The 'Innovation Center' designation reflects the 2021 building's emphasis on community gathering and making space, not just book storage. About half the 14,400 square feet is dedicated to activity spaces: a 100-person multipurpose room, an 18-person conference room, a children's makerspace for hands-on crafts, a teen gaming and lounge area, and an outdoor terrace — a deliberate expansion from the previous 7,000-square-foot building that predated the mid-1970s.
West Memphis is directly across the Mississippi River from Memphis, TN — can I use my West Memphis card at Memphis libraries?
The West Memphis Public Library and Memphis Public Libraries are separate systems in different states; cards from one do not automatically grant borrowing privileges at the other. However, West Memphis cardholders get free access to the Arkansas Digital Library (ADLC/Libby) and the Arkansas Traveler statewide databases from home. For in-person cross-river borrowing, contact each library directly about reciprocal arrangements.
When did the library last renovate, and where was the old library located?
The previous library at 213 N. Avalon Street was a 7,000-square-foot building whose newest wing dated to the mid-1970s. Ground was broken on the new building in August 2019, and the 14,400-square-foot Innovation Center at 500 East Broadway opened on March 18, 2021 — the first new civic building completed in West Memphis in approximately 30 years.
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