The Bentonville Public Library is receiving money from the state’s library funding program for the first time.

During the state government’s current fiscal year, which started in July and runs through June, it will contribute $95,958 to the library.

While Bentonville’s library has long benefited from shared resources and programs offered through the Arkansas State Library, it was blocked from receiving money through the state’s core library funding program because of one requirement in state law.

State law previously required public libraries to have a dedicated local property tax (a “millage”) to qualify for funding. While some other Northwest Arkansas libraries operate under that model, Bentonville’s library is funded through the city’s general operating budget and has no dedicated tax of its own. A law passed earlier this year removed the millage requirement for libraries that can demonstrate other sources of revenue.

Bentonville Public Library director Hadi Dudley learned of the change earlier this year from another library director in the region.

“I don't want to say that it's like a gift, but it was an unexpected, significant amount of money that really is helping us bridge that gap for this year and next year on some things we didn't know if we could do or not,” she said.

The first portion of the funding, awarded this year, will be used for shelving and upgrading furniture on the library’s porch.

Some of the furniture is “literally on its last leg,” Dudley said. The upgrades likely wouldn’t have been possible without the state funding, she added.

The other half of the funding, expected next year, will pay for technology upgrades and software.

Several databases and software tools offered to patrons — including Rosetta Stone for language learning — were likely to be cut next year but will now be funded through 2026.

Budgets across city departments were reduced this year and a hiring freeze was enacted due to financial pressure from unexpectedly high sales tax rebates.

The library cut about $104,000 in expenses from its 2025 budget in addition to leaving several staff positions vacant. City finance staff say sales tax rebates remain an ongoing concern heading into next year as well.

“I think the library has always been really creative in how we approach service and how we operate and try to be as efficient as possible,” Dudley said, noting that a book-sorting machine added in 2024 — nicknamed Bookie Monster — has helped save staff time and improve efficiency.

Regarding budget shifts, “We always want to make sure our patrons don’t feel or see the difference when we can,” she said.