Jay Barth Named New Executive Director of Central Arkansas Library System

Jay Barth Takes the Helm at Central Arkansas Library System After National Search

Jay Barth will step in as the next executive director of the Central Arkansas Library System on December 1, taking over the state’s largest public library system, the Central Arkansas Library System Board of Directors announced.

Barth succeeds Nate Coulter, whose final day leading the system is October 30. Coulter announced his retirement plans in March after more than a decade of leadership. During Coulter’s tenure, the library system oversaw a $31 million renovation of the Main Library, completed upgrades across 15 branches, launched the CALS Cruiser bookmobile, and established both the Rock It! Lab entrepreneurial hub and the Count Up math tutoring program.

A Familiar Face in Civic and Educational Leadership

Barth enters the position after a long career in academia and public service. He spent 26 years teaching politics at Hendrix College, where he is now the M.E. and Ima Graves Peace Emeritus Professor of Politics. Following his retirement from Hendrix, he served as the inaugural chief education officer for the city of Little Rock and as director of the William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum.

His resume also includes stints teaching at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law, New York University’s Tulsa campus, and the Clinton School of Public Service. On the policy side, Barth served on the Arkansas State Board of Education from 2012 to 2019, spending two years as chair, and currently sits on the Central Arkansas Water Board of Commissioners.

Barth was selected from three finalists following a national search. He takes over a system that has spent the last decade expanding its physical footprint and community programming, highlighted by major overhauls at the Sue Cowan Williams Library in Little Rock and a new building for the Amy Sanders Library in Sherwood.