Bauxite’s Reaction to Pearl Harbor
By Cody Berry On December 7, 1941, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which propelled the United States into WWII. The Arkansas Democrat’s top headline that day read “Japanese Declare War,” above pictures of a battleship on fire and planes flying over the island. That day the Japanese bombed Manila, Honolulu, Pearl Harbor, and … Continued
Library Board Vacancy
At the May 12, 2025 Saline County Library Board of Trustees meeting, a call was made for applications for the trustee position that will become vacant July 1, 2025. Interested applicants are asked to submit a current resume as well as a cover letter outlining their desire to serve and how their skills and experience … Continued
WWII in Bauxite, Arkansas
By Cody Berry In recognition of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8, 2025, I wanted to write about what life was like in Bauxite during the Second World War. Legislation passed during the Great Depression allowed workers to organize, bargain collectively, and to have more control over their employment. Union activity began … Continued
Juneteenth Reading Recs!
This Juneteenth, read a book or graphic novel, or watch a movie celebrating black lives and history! There’s something for all ages in this reading list.❤️💛🧡💚 Juneteenth Is – Ages 5-8 A girl contemplates what Juneteenth means to her, her family, and her community. What is Juneteenth? – Ages 8-12 On June 19, 1865, a … Continued
Support your Community, Learn, & Have Fun!
Before the rush of Summer Reading in June and July, our Benton branch is having some amazing community events. Don’t miss out on some of these awesome programs! Baby Prom: Friday, May 9 from 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM at the Benton branch This one is just for ages 5 and under and their caregivers! … Continued
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo!
¡Feliz Cinco de Mayo! 🪅 On the fifth of May, we celebrate Mexican heritage and culture and how it’s shaped America – Everything from the humble taco, to arts and media like Disney’s “Encanto!” We hope you have a wonderful Cinco de Mayo holiday. 💚🤍❤️ We’d love to share some amazing Spanish and bilingual books … Continued
The Reynolds Story
By Cody Berry There were two companies that competed for dominance in the bauxite fields of Saline County: the Aluminum Company of America, aka Alcoa, and the Reynolds Metals Company which may know as the makers of aluminum foil today. Reynolds started its life in 1928 as a subsidiary of the U. S. Foil Company. … Continued
More About Aluminum
By Cody Berry This time, I want to talk more about aluminum. Recently, I was looking for items to use in an exhibit on WWII, and I found a few small books about the Reynolds Metals Company and the Hurricane Creek Plant which operated in Saline County for many years. In a book from 1950 … Continued
From Alumina to Aluminum: The Hall-Heroult Process
By Cody Berry Last time we covered the Bayer Process which takes the alumina out of raw bauxite ore. This week we will cover the next step in the aluminum making process. In 1880, a 20-year-old first year student at Oberlin College in Ohio named Charles Martin Hall started his research into the production of … Continued
Can we make it to 16,000 followers by summer?
Our library currently has 13,000 Facebook followers. But we want to tell everyone we know about all the awesome programs, books, and materials the Saline County Library has to offer! So, we’re racing towards 16,000 followers in the most fun way possible… by fostering our community and having prize drawings! So, are you ready to … Continued