FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Friday, at the Arkansas Historical Association annual conference, Tom W. Dillard, head of University Libraries’ Special Collections, announced the launch of ArHist-L, a new online Arkansas history discussion group.

The discussion group, sponsored by Special Collections, will give Arkansas history enthusiasts a 21st century venue for learning about the state’s rich heritage.

A discussion group is formed when interested parties subscribe via e-mail to the list. Posts made to the list are distributed to all subscribers, so an individual can post a single question to many users simultaneously. Users can post questions, provide leads or contacts, describe local resources, or post information about upcoming events and new publications.

A goal of the discussion group is to alert Arkansas researchers to the resources available in the various archives and museums around the state and nation, as well as to build a collective knowledge base for the study of the state. 

“The Internet provides a unique opportunity for anyone interested in Arkansas history to interact electronically with others. Through this discussion group an interested individual, in Hong Kong, for example, will be able to debate and exchange ideas on the state’s history with a subscriber in Smackover, Ark.,” said Dillard. “It is our hope that this discussion group will open new avenues for Arkansans to discover their historical legacy. We welcome all individuals and organizations with interests in Arkansas history to join in and lend the rest of us their expertise.”

To participate in the Arkansas History Discussion Group, go to http://libinfo.uark.edu/specialcollections/arkhistlist/default.asp and follow the instructions.