Local Roots: March

Lots has changed in the years the Berryville Library has been in our current building. We expect lots will change in the years the library will be housed in the new building we are hoping to break ground on soon. That’s why we think it is so important as we move towards this bigger, better future to remember our roots. To that end, we have created the Berryville Library Legacy Project, which lets donors highlight a piece of local history of their choice by selecting photographs to be displayed on the end of a shelving unit at the new library. We also remain committed to helping create a sense of place through our collection, so we are going to highlight our Arkansas section this year.  Each month, we’ll look at some of the different books and resources in that collection that feature unique parts of the history and culture of Berryville, Carroll County, the Ozarks, and Arkansas. There’s lots to explore about this place we call home! For March, we’re looking at local wildlife.

Arkansas is called The Natural State for good reason. We’re blessed to live in a place so full of natural beauty, and our local wildlife is part of that. Whether you’re interested in Arkansas wildlife in general or have a much more specific interest, we have plenty of books to help you learn more about this beautiful place we call home.

Only in Arkansas: A Study of the Endemic Plants and Animals of the State is a wonderful resource on both the abundant animal and plant life in Arkansas. It’s from the University of Arkansas Press and is loaded with information, as well as photographs and illustrations.

We also have some nice general resources from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, including Arkansas Wildlife by Susan Morrison and Arkansas Wildlife: A History. The former features the author’s stunning pen-and-ink drawings, while the latter also incorporates an overview of the conservation movement in the state.

If Arkansas mammals are of interest to you, Arkansas Mammals: Their Natural History, Classification, and Distribution provides information on native species, as well as non-native ones that have become important in the state. It also covers endangered and missing species. A Guide to Arkansas Mammals, from the same author, covers similar ground but is an older classic, dating back to the 70s.

We also have numerous resources on our local bird populations, such as Arkansas Birds: Their Distribution and Abundance and Birds of Arkansas.

We also have books on the insects buzzing in the air (Arkansas Butterflies and Moths), the reptiles slithering on the ground (The Amphibians and Reptiles of Arkansas), and the fish swimming in our local streams, ponds, rivers, and lakes (Fishes of Arkansas).

These are just a handful of the books we have in our system. Stop by our Arkansas section next time you’re in and browse our great collection on local wildlife!

Are you a frequenter of our Arkansas section? Did you even know we had an Arkansas section? What do you think is the most interesting local animal? Tell us in the comments! As always, please follow this link to our online library catalog for more information on any of our items or to place them on hold.