Jonesboro, AR – Jonesboro Right Now – Visitors of the Craighead County Jonesboro Public Library and its other branches will see some new restrictions on checking out materials and accessing certain areas of the facility.

The library system announced that patrons under the age of 18 are now subject to operational changes as the result of a new policy rollout aimed at complying with Arkansas Act 372, which establishes new mandates concerning the accessibility and use of public library materials.

A news release stated that the policies strictly limit the services and physical spaces available to children and teenagers.

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Under the new guidelines, the following restrictions will be in place:

  • Restricted Checkout Areas: Anyone under the age of 18 is prohibited from checking out materials from any section of the library outside of the designated Youth Services Library.
  • Ban on Self-Checkout: Anyone under the age of 18 can no longer use self-checkout kiosks and must process all borrowed items directly at the main Circulation Desk.
  • DVD Limitations: All DVD checkouts are now exclusively restricted to adults 18 and older. Children’s and teens’ library cards can no longer be used to borrow DVDs of any kind.
  • Bookstore Access Revoked: Anyone under the age of 18 is completely barred from entering or purchasing items from the Friends of the Library Bookstore.

Administrators acknowledged that the sudden shifts will likely prompt questions from the public, noting that staff will provide additional information to patrons upon request.

In the meantime, the library is asking for the community’s cooperation and patience as staff members navigate the implementation of the new state-mandated rules.

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