Arkansas Gems connects adults and students in the state to current activities in literature through the creation and distribution of posters and bookmarks featuring a selection of newly published works about Arkansas subjects or by authors from Arkansas. The pandemic influenced the design choice again this fiscal year, as many people in Arkansas enjoyed experiencing nature and the outdoors. In addition, the Center chose 21 Gems for 2021. Although the National Book Festival was again virtual this year, there were no virtual booths for State Center Affiliates. Instead, the Center debuted the design at the virtual Arkansas Library Association Conference. Posters were sent to all Arkansas public libraries as well as middle and high schools in the state this year. 

The pandemic continued to affect book clubs in Arkansas, with attendance levels and book circulation down overall throughout the state; as many clubs struggled to find safe ways to meet for discussions. The Coordinator met virtually with book club coordinators quarterly, with feedback that many readers preferred in-person meetings; and two book clubs chose to discontinue this year because of the pandemic. With vaccine deployment, numbers increased; however, the Delta variant caused another drop later in the fiscal year. Nevertheless, many clubs persevered; including new clubs at Gravette Public Library and Montgomery County Library, as well as a library/community business collaboration between Eureka Springs Carnegie Library and Gotahold Brewing, a local coffee shop and brewery. This reporting year, 453 book club kits were shipped, which is up 13% from last year; and there were 2,639 reported readers, which is down by 4%.

The Center planned an online presentation of our community-read activity (If All Arkansas Read the Same Book) due to unknown circumstances related to gathering sizes and safety. Fiona Davis’ novel, The Lions of Fifth Avenue was chosen; as an escapist read as well as a means to acknowledge the significance of the history of women’s suffrage in the United States. Two live virtual events were held: one a traditional author talk on June 10; the second a book-club format discussion held on July 27 that allowed readers a deeper dive into the themes and characters in the novel. Physical copies of the novel were sent to all public libraries in the state and multiple eBook and audiobook copies were both licensed and purchased for statewide Overdrive consortia. Both programs were over Zoom and simultaneously livestreamed over YouTube, and there were 313 attendees total for both programs. Lastly, the reduced speaker fee allowed the Center to redirect funds to collaborate with the Mosaic Templars Cultural Center on the opening of their installation of the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition, “The Negro Motorist Green Book.” 

Since the Library of Congress concluded the Letters About Literature activity in 2019, the Arkansas Center for the Book will work on collaborations that concentrate on aspects of reading that are not as strongly addressed in other Arkansas Center for the Book activities; namely, Poetry, Illustration, and the Book Arts. In this reporting year, the Center collaborated with the Poet Laureate of Arkansas, Jo McDougall, on a highly successful poetry program; “In Conversation with Jericho Brown.” The live virtual program took place on February 4^thand was a combination poetry reading and conversation with Jericho Brown on his Pulitzer-Prize winning collection, The Tradition. Dr. Brown and Jo McDougall as well as Arkansas poet Kai Coggin discussed the writing of particular poems and methods for teaching young poets. Lastly, four Arkansas high school students from rural and urban/suburban areas asked Dr. Brown questions about writing. The program was held over Zoom Webinar, simultaneously livestreamed over YouTube, and there were 328 advance RSVPs and 263 in attendance. The virtual nature of the program brought attendees from 37 states and five countries other than the USA.