Located on a major arterial, Cash Road, the selected site is adjacent to the historic Fooks Garden.  The garden was originally developed as the location of a grand house for Benjamin T. Fooks, the founder of Grapette.  The home was never constructed, but the gardens became a beloved landmark, though they remained untended for many years.

Fooks Garden, designed by renowned landscape architect Neil Hamill Park in the 1940’s, was organized around two converging axes and lined with oaks and magnolia trees. The design for the library, taking a cue from the gardens, continues the axes through the new outdoor learning space and into the building.   The outdoor space features views to the historic garden, as well as stepped seating and a terrace for programs.

The outdoor space, located near the children’s area, also includes sensory gardens featuring herbs and plants to attract butterflies.

Large windows not only allow for views to the exterior but also fill the space with natural light; in addition, clerestory windows wrap-around the main reading room so that abundant natural light can enter the center of the building as well.

In addition to the main reading room, the library includes a program room, study areas, and dedicated genealogy and children’s areas.

The program space is designed so that it can not only be used for library programs, such as Summer Reading Club for children, but also serve as a community room, able to be closed from the rest of the library.

With the exception of the program room and the service spaces, the building is visually open so that patrons can easily navigate the library.

Several sustainable strategies were employed in an effort to reduce the building’s operational cost; some of those strategies include a reflective roof, large overhangs, and high performance glazing to reduce solar heat gain; using local materials, such as native stone, brick, and laminated wood, all from Arkansas; and installing high performance heating/ cooling systems and state-of-the-art lighting.

The library opened earlier this year, and the interior design for the library recently received a Bronze Award from the American Society of Interior Designers South Central Chapter.