Future

Garland County Library Majestic Cultural Campus Concept

The Garland County Library (GCL) can trace its existence back to Hiram Whittington’s log cabin on the site of the former Majestic Hotel, which was the first library in what was then the Arkansas Territory. Early visitors commented on the shabby conditions of Whittington’s amenities. An article from the 1905 edition of the Sentinel Record stated “I think it is awful that with so many tourists coming to Hot Springs, they haven’t got an up-to-date library. The town should be ashamed!” Similar comments can be found regarding the old library on Woodbine, the segregated branch at the Webb Center, and the “new library” on Malvern Ave. As soon as 1998, three years after the newest main library was built, the board realized that it had been underbuilt and was in need of expansion.

GCL underwent a condition needs assessment of the main library in 2021. That assessment noted that the main is undersized for the population that it serves. GCL’s existing main ranks 53rd out of the 56 library systems in Arkansas for space by population served, even though GCL is the 6th busiest system in the state. It also noted that the only expansion to the facility allowed by code is a mezzanine structure open on three sides, which would have added around 10,000 sq ft. GCL’s board and staff pursued the mezzanine plan under the name GCL+ from 2022 through 2024. TKA Architects were engaged to create a schematic design of the GCL+ concept. GCL+ met roadblock after roadblock: code restrictions, lack of adequate temporary space, low levels of enthusiasm for the project, and a high construction cost per sq ft.

In mid-2024, library administration decided to refocus and analyze the situation further. Executive Director Adam Webb held a series of public listening sessions and community discussions to better understand the needs of the community. In early 2025, GCL hosted a series of focus groups facilitated by TargetPoint Consulting. The results of those conversations showed that what the public wanted and what the library was trying to achieve were drastically different. The public wanted a larger, modern library facility that would provide more space for books, opportunities for the arts, theater, and cultural events, expanded programs for non-traditional education like teaching kitchens and makerspaces, and an emphasis on history and local culture. Additionally, they asked that the new main be located in downtown Hot Springs, preferably on the site of the former Majestic Hotel. GCL went back to the architects and the Majestic Cultural Campus was envisioned.

This Project Is Important

Our public library provides valuable services to every age group and demographic in our community and is especially crucial to our disadvantaged populations. According to current statistics, 19% of Garland County residents are living in poverty and 1 in 10 adults is functionally illiterate. A new main library on the site of the former Majestic Hotel would address these issues and others facing our community, while enhancing the quality of life for all residents.

Valuable Impacts of this Project for Garland County Residents include

Literacy and Educational Impact

• Space for an expanded book collections for adults, teens, and children
• Added capacity for educational programs for all ages
• Literacy and educational support with free access to more library materials, supporting local K-12 school systems and homeschool students year-round
• Study rooms for students, adults, and groups
• Expanded hours of operation including nights and weekends
• Additional meeting spaces for public programs and events
• Genealogy research in an expanded local history room
• A teaching and catering kitchen for educational programs and event

Technology Access and Economic Impact

• Charging stations, high-speed Wi-Fi, and more workspaces for laptops and mobile devices
• Print, scan,and copy services
• Small Business and Entrepreneurship Lab with specialized resources
• One-on-one assistance and small group training opportunities

Financial and Societal Impact

• Civic infrastructure is an important part of modern economic development
• New libraries raise early literacy rates significantly over a 7-year period
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design shows that creation of new public spaces lowers the crime rate in the community
• Communities that invest in civic infrastructure have lower mortality rates and are healthier as a whole
• Building the new main on the Majestic site removes the most glaring vacant property from the city’s inventory. Vacant properties send a message to the public about what the social norms are in a community.

A Public/Private Partnership

GCL envisions a public/private partnership in the development of the Majestic site. The Majestic Campus, including the Civic Plaza, accounts for 60% of the total marketed property. The remaining 40% would be open to private developers. GCL has been in preliminary discussions with private developers who are interested in a joint development of the site.

Other cities that have constructed new libraries in the heart of their downtown have seen significant redevelopment around the library. Libraries tend to attract locals more than visitors and many downtowns lack local foot traffic. Relocating an institution that sees over 200,000 local visits a year would spur economic growth in the downtown area. Studies by the Brookings Institute¹ and others have shown that “community amenities such as recreation opportunities, cultural activities, and excellent services are likely bigger contributors to healthy local economies than traditional ‘business-friendly’ measures.”

¹ https://www.brookings.edu/articles/improving-quality-of-life-not-just-business-is-the-best-path-to-
midwestern-rejuvenation/¹