Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library

Downtown Library

Contact Information

300 Park Avenue

Oklahoma City, OK

73102

Phone: (405) 231-8650

About Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library 

The four-story Ronald J. Norick (RJN) Downtown Library is located in the Arts District of downtown Oklahoma City. Library service in downtown OKC began in 1901 when the Carnegie Library opened at NW 3rd and Robinson Ave. In 1954, the new Main Library was dedicated at Dean A. McGee Ave and Robinson Ave. 

On December 14, 1993, Oklahoma City voters approved a five-year, one-cent increase in the city's sales tax to fund nine building projects for the downtown area (called MAPS) which including a technologically adaptable Downtown Library/Learning Center. The RJN Downtown Library opened to the public on August 17, 2004. 

The Downtown Library is 114,130 square feet and includes classrooms, study rooms, conference rooms, a children’s program room, the Route 66 Computer Lab, 46th Star Auditorium, and Friends Event Room. The building has two floors of collections and services, one floor of meeting rooms open to the public, and one floor that houses administrative offices. The Downtown Library also uniquely serves as the library of record for the John Rex Charter school students from pre-K to 4th grade. This state-of-the-art library is a great place for Oklahoma County families.

Book drop locations: Walk-up returns on the west and north sides of the building.

Parking: Parking is available on the street and in nearby public parking garages and lots.  

  • Street parking is metered.
    • Meters are in effect and enforced Monday - Friday from 8am - 6pm, with the exception of major holidays.
    • Street parking is free after 6pm Monday-Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.
  • The nearest public garage to the library is the Arts Garage at 431 W Main St. (currently unavailable on Friday evenings and weekends)
    • Guests who check out materials can receive a 1-hour Arts Garage parking voucher at the main circulation desk. Vouchers are also distributed during library-created events to attending guests. 

Public transit: 

  • EMBARK bus routes 009, 012, 016, 040, 13N, RAPID (click here for system map)
    • Closest bus stop: N Hudson Ave @ Park Ave (1-minute walk to library from stop)
    • NOTE: Nearly all Oklahoma City EMBARK routes stop at the EMBARK Transit Center, which is a 7-minute walk (0.3 miles) from the Downtown Library.
  • OKC Streetcar Downtown Loop (click here for route map)
    • Closest streetcar stop: N Hudson Ave @ Park Ave (1-minute walk to library from stop)
  • MOE/City Care OKC: Route 1 stops at the Downtown Library, Monday-Friday (click here for route map)
    • MOE is a free shuttle service that connects its riders with many shelters and essential service agencies.

Services

    Technology

    • Public use computers with 60-minute internet access and printing capabilities
    • An express computer with 15-minute internet access and printing capabilities
    • Mobile and offsite printing
    • Free Wi-Fi
    • Express Wi-Fi Hotspots (7-day checkout period), first-come first-served
    • Reservable Wi-Fi Hotspots (4-week checkout period)
    • Color copy machine with free outbound faxing (to U.S. numbers only) and scanning capability

    Collection

    • Self-serve holds shelf and self-check machines
    • Catalog computers dedicated to searching the library's collection
    • Library staff who can provide assistance locating information, using print and electronic sources, and provide readers' advisory
    • Place and pick up interlibrary loan requests
    • Tours and instruction in the use of library resources (by appointment)
    • Experience Passes - Free admission to local museums. For more information, click here

    Spaces

    • Study rooms - Free (reservations required)
    • Meeting rooms - Rented for a cost (reservations required)
    • Adult changing station available. Please ask staff.

    Special Collections

    • Genealogy Collection
    • Holocaust Collection
    • Oklahoma Collection
    • Topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey
    • Vertical file, a collection 90 years in the making. Contents include newspaper clippings, meeting and/or annual reports of committees and agencies, flyers and programs, and maps
    • Microform collections of newspapers, magazines, and limited numbers of Federal and Oklahoma government publications

Hours of Operation

Please check the top of this page for notices impacting our hours of operation or services offered.

Monday - Thursday: 9am - 9pm
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm

Curbside Hours

Mon-Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group

Celebrating Dolly Parton: Construction Paper Trains Take-Home Kit

All Day 10/20–10/26
Birth-PreK
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Onsite (Downtown)
Age Group: Birth-PreK
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:

All aboard! Help your child build their own construction paper train while developing essential early learning skills supporting color and shape identification and fine motor skill development. 

Disclaimer(s)

We can only guarantee one kit per household and per registration (if required).

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group

Baby Storytime!

11:00am–12:00pm
Birth-PreK
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Children's Program Room (Downtown)
Age Group: Birth-PreK
Program Type: Child Development & Parenting, Storytimes
Event Description:

Join us every Wednesday, 11:00am, at the Downtown Library for a baby storytime! Connect with other families in the community while engaging in stories, songs, lap bounces, and more!

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

This event is in the "Kids" group

After-School Kids Club: Spooky Crafts & Costume Contest

3:30pm–4:30pm
Kids
Downtown Library
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Children's Program Room (Downtown)
Age Group: Kids
Program Type: Family Programs
Registration Required
Event Description:

Put on your spookiest costume and come haunt the library! Visit different stations to make spooky decor and gifts to take home to your friends. Once we're done crafting, we'll have a spooky costume contest!

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Computer Keys: Ghost Your Digital Footprint!

10:00am–11:30am
Teens, Adults
Downtown Library
Registration Required
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Route 66 Computer Lab (Downtown)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Careers & Jobs, Computers & Technology, Health & Wellness, Science & STEAM
Registration Required
Event Description:

Spooky Tips for Staying Private Online

Disclaimer(s)

The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

Be Advised:  This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.

By Attending, you consent:  To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.

For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group
This event is in the "Kids" group

Bubble Playtime!

11:00am–12:00pm
Birth-PreK, Kids
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Children's Program Room (Downtown)
Age Group: Birth-PreK, Kids
Program Type: DIY & Hobbies
Event Description:

Get ready for a bubbly good time! Join us for Bubble Playtime-a fun and interactive program where kids can chase, pop, and create bubbles of all sizes. This program encourages play, gross motor skills, and sensory exploration. 

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

This event is in the "Adults" group

Free Community Lead Testing

11:00am–1:00pm
Adults
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Onsite (Downtown)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:

During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (October 19-25), the Oklahoma State Department of Health is hosting free community lead testing events by bringing a portable device to the library which can detect lead in consumer products.