bc Butler Center CALS CALS Contact
Promoting Arkansas history and culture through research, book publishing, oral histories, workshops, public events, education initiatives, and architecture.

The Butler Center for Arkansas Studies, a department of the Central Arkansas Library System, was created in 1997 through an endowment by the late Richard C. Butler, Sr., of Little Rock, for the purpose of promoting a greater understanding and appreciation of Arkansas history, literature, art, and culture.

Our research library and archival collection are available in the research room located on the second floor of the Arkansas Studies Institute in downtown Little Rock's River Market District. We operate a book publishing program, an oral history project, workshops and other training programs, and a number of initiatives to assist teachers with curricular materials. Throughout the year we host many public lectures and events that cover various topics of Arkansas history. We sponsor the online Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture, the premier one-stop reference work on the state’s history.

Research Room
Mon-Sat 9-6, Sun 1-5
Phone: 501-320-5700
Email: arkinfo@cals.org

Butler Center Offices
Mon-Fri 9-5
Central Arkansas Library System
Phone: 501-320-5754
Fax: 501-537-4559

Mailing Address
The Butler Center
Central Arkansas Library System
100 Rock St.
Little Rock, AR 72201


NEW! AV/AR Digital Database Now Online

Use AV/AR to listen and/or watch oral history interviews, speeches, radio and television programs.


Preserve Arkansas History – Donate Today!

You can send a donation to the Butler Center for Arkansas Studies by following the instructions found on the link at the top of this page: Now Accepting Online Donations. We accept checks or credit cards. Your donation is tax deductible under section 170 (c) (1) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.