Thompson Library -- Central Arkansas Library System — Attraction in Little Rock

This Library has an extremely unfair and inefficient way of deciding who gets a Study Room and who does not. I have now tried on 3 separate occasions to get a Study Room. I have called in advance to request a Study Room, and their Manager will refuse to put me on a list for the next available room. I have shown up in person to request a Study Room, and their Manager will refuse to put me on a list for the next available room. Today I came into the Library at 12:10pm. I was told that the next Study Room would be available at 12:30, but the Manager refused to allow me to be put on a list for the Study Room. At 12:25, a White gentleman came up and asked for the Study Room. They gave the Study Room to him instead of giving it to me, even though I had requested the Study Room at 12:10 and asked to be put on a list. This is an unfair and inefficient method of giving out Study Rooms, and the employees just give the Study Rooms to whoever they feel like it, even if there are people that have asked for the room and waited for the room prior to the person they are...

I am still a little hesitant as a parent to bring my kids to this library. However, there have been some major improvements. I will keep this posted updated as needed. It is a really nice-looking library overall. The staff as a whole are quite nice and helpful. It is well maintained and has beautiful landscaping. As an adult, this is my preferred location. In the past I was quite hesitate to bring my children here because of several bad experiences in the children's section, however, I have gone several times in the last two months and the librarians have made quite a few changes for the better as it regards children. They removed the little house, which I think was wise because it tended towards roudiness. They added a lot more quiet play things for little children as well. Overall, I am impressed at the changes that have been made as it regards the children's section. I have left it at 4 stars because I am hesitant to give it 5 stars until I am sure that the changes to the children's section have...

As a patron with children, I would not recommend this branch. It appears sleek and fashionable, but it is going in the wrong direction. They have a playground inside, where children and parents are chastised for getting loud. Then there is a beautiful pond outside that children and parents are yelled at for getting too close. Remarks like these made by library staff are very unusual for me, as usually I receive compliments on my children’s behavior, so I have to point out the pattern of unkindness in staff members (which is so sad to see in a library). The children’s book selection is mostly newly published books. Classics are hard to find. (Also, I stumbled upon in the children’s section books on gender ideology, which some may find unsuitable for young minds.) This library should stop trying to be something it’s not, and just focus on instilling a love of BOOKS in its patrons.

If you have children, try the Terry Branch! They are very kind and...