Library Holiday Program Brings Warmth and Access to Phillips County

On December 13 the Helena branch of the Phillips County Library at 702 Porter Street held Christmas at the Phillips County Library as part of a month long slate of December programming aimed at children and families. The library posted its December 2025 hours and event listings on its website, and the online calendar shows other holiday season activities across the branch network that serves Helena, Marvell and Elaine.

The library lists several core services that are critical in a rural county, including public computers, genealogy resources and a community room available for meetings and events. Those services extend the reach of basic infrastructure for households that may lack reliable home internet, private meeting space or access to local history materials. For families, the children's programming provides free recreational and educational options during a school break period when affordable childcare and safe indoor activities are especially important.

Public health and social equity considerations are intertwined with these offerings. Community meeting space and family programming reduce social isolation, offer warm shelter during winter months and create opportunities for early literacy that are linked to long term educational and health outcomes. Public computers can provide access to health information, appointment portals and telehealth visits for residents who do not have high speed internet at home. In a county where transportation and service deserts shape daily life, the library functions as a neutral civic space that supports wellbeing.

The library’s history of serving multiple Phillips County communities underscores its role as a shared asset and a place where resource gaps are partially addressed. Continued support for library hours, staffing and technology matters to public health planners and to families who rely on these services. As the holiday calendar continues through December, residents may consult the library website for updated hours and program listings to take part in remaining events this season.