Contact Information
2000 NE 23rd Street
Oklahoma City, OK
73111
Phone: (405) 424-1437
About Ralph Ellison Library
The Ralph Ellison Library opened in its current location in 1975. Named in honor of Oklahoma City native and acclaimed author Ralph Ellison, this library is in one of Oklahoma City’s historically African-American neighborhoods yet serves a diverse group of residents. Customers rely on the library to find basic information about voting, taxes, tutoring, government assistance, and a variety of other fundamental needs. In addition, the library serves a dynamic population of motivated customers ranging from school-age children to young adults and elders in the community. The Library serves as an essential hub for services, research, programs and events linking members of the larger community to one another.
Book drop location: To the right of entrance.
Public transit:
- EMBARK bus routes 002 (click here for route map) and 022 (click here for route map)
- Closest bus stop: N Martin Luther King Ave @ NE 23rd St (2-minute walk to library from stop)
Services
- Public use computers with 60-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
- Chromebooks with web cams available on a first-come, first-served basis for in-library use only
- Self-serve holds shelf and a self-check machine
- Catalog computers dedicated to accessing 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
Technology
Collection
- Meeting rooms - Cost (reservations required)
- Black History Collection
Spaces
Special Collections
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: 1 - 6pm
Curbside Hours
Mon-Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm
Upcoming Events
Stop by the Ralph Ellison Library to do this month's Scavenger Hunt! This month's theme is "I Love My Library" for National Library Card Sign-up Month in September!
Wright Library Centennial Celebration Paper Replica Take Home
Bring the iconic Wright Library home with our special paper template kit! Using detailed templates, designed by Metro Library staff, to create your own paper model of this historic library.
Disclaimer(s)
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
Register! Early Childhood (Ages 1-5) Art Activity Take-Home Kit (LETTER KNOWLEDGE)
This kit requires registration as it includes library books that need to be checked out with an active library card.
Disclaimer(s)
We can only guarantee one kit per registration. Please register individually to ensure that kits are appropriately distributed. Special notes should not be used for additional registrations.
Thank you for your help!
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
This Constitution Day, discover the art behind the United States Constitution by exploring the calligraphy of the original document.
Improve your reading and other basic skills in this class, made possible by Community Literacy Centers. This class meets every Monday and Wednesday from 10:30 am-12:30 pm.
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.
Diary of a Worm and Soil Science Fun (Ages 3-8)
What do you know about worms and soil? Together we will read the book Diary of a Worm and make a silly and scrumptious "dirt" cup as we learn about different soil types.
Join other LEGO fans to engineer some fun! Imagine, create, play, and learn as we build with LEGOs.
Blast off with your imagination at the Ralph Ellison library Lego Club. Lego dreamers of all ages and experience levels welcome.
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.
Warning: Kit contains small parts that could represent a choking hazard. It is not intended for children under 3. It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Bag.
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
It's Constitution Day. On September 17, 1787, the delegates to the Constitutional Convention met for the last time to sign the document they had created. We'll talk and read more about the constitution.