BELLE ISLE LIBRARY TO CLOSE FOR RENOVATIONS
The library known to many as the “Millennium Falcon” or “Starship Enterprise” will close on July 17, 2020 to undergo an extensive remodel, launching the 1960s style library into the future. Before this remodel begins, the library will move into a temporary location at 3621 NW Expressway, next to Gold’s Gym and Buy for Less.
The temporary library location will open in mid-August, and construction will start around the same time on the renovations of the existing building.
The renovations will preserve the building’s iconic looks while still giving the library some much ne...
Belle Isle Closed for Renovations
The temporary location is at 3621 NW Expressway (between Gold’s Gym and Pruett's Foods). The temporary location provides public computers, curbside delivery of holds, and a browsing collection during regular operations. Due to limited space, this location cannot accept donated materials at this time.
About the Renovation
ADG is the local architecture firm for the renovation.
The renovations will preserve the building’s iconic looks while still giving the library some much needed upgrades. The renovation will include adding over 10,000...
Bethany Library Closure
To our customers and our community,
We learned on July 1 that a staff member at the Bethany Library tested positive for COVID-19. For the safety of our staff and customers we closed the library immediately for a professional deep cleaning and the library will reopen when we believe it is safe to do so and staffing level permits. All staff members who may have been exposed will quarantine for 14 days and are encouraged to be tested. The Library staff are diligent about our requirement for employees to wear masks and the employee who tested positive was wearing a mask while at work....
Comic Arts Q&A with Jerry Bennett
Jerry Bennett is a full-time artist creating comic books, children's books, and shirt designs for licensed brands (Lucasfilm, Marvel, DC, Saban). He storyboarded for Mattel and Dreamworks and created animated book trailers for Scholastic and Lerner Children's Books. He also art directed Even in Death, an award-winning animated short, with talented students on the autism spectrum. He served as the 2018-2019 Paseo Arts/Skirvin Hilton Artist in Residence, creating and involving the community in participating in the process of comic art. Jerry is currently drawing more comics and crea...
Metropolitan Library System Announces No Late Fines on Children's Materials
Beginning July 1, children’s materials including books, movies and music checked out from the Metropolitan Library System will no longer accrue fines if late.
“Fines are barriers to library access,” said Julie Ballou, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Library System. “We are committed to reducing barriers and supporting equitable access to literacy in our community.”
As of July 1, any existing fines on children’s materials will also be waived.
“Children’s fines are an obstacle that disproportionately impacts families without the means to pay,” Chris Kenned...
METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM LAUNCHES ONLINE LITFEST
Are you an aspiring author, storyteller or content creator? Then stop by the Metropolitan Library System’s website during the month of July to learn tips and tricks, and to view live or recorded sessions about the writing industry from local authors.
“This is the third year for the event, but this year it’s all virtual,” said Adult Librarian Sarah Brown, who is the brains in charge of the program. “People will have the unique opportunity to learn from industry professionals about a variety of topics ranging from how to grow your online platform, how to self-publish for free and ti...
Libraries Open for Phase 2
The Metropolitan Library System announced that all libraries will be open for Phase 2 on Monday, June 1 2020.
Phase 2 allows a limited amount of customers in the building to use computers in one-hour sessions. The computers available will be spaced out for social distancing. Customers may also come to the building for copies or faxing.
Face masks are recommended for customers entering the building.
“We’re excited to see more of our customers,” Chris Kennedy, Metropolitan Library System Deputy Director of Library Services. “Curbside pick-up is going ...
GENEALOGY ONE-ON-ONE TUTORIALS
Looking for clues as to your ancestry? Or do you have specific questions on how to get started with your genealogy research? The Metropolitan Library System is hosting one-on-one sessions to provide the support and guidance needed for specific genealogy research needs.
“We started doing the one-on-one meetings with customers during the unexpected closure, and they were a big hit,” said Special Collections Librarian Lisa Bradley. “We use Zoom to hold the meetings, but other than a few minor minor technical glitches, we haven’t had any issues.
Looking into ancestry c...
CHOCTAW LIBRARY GUILD TO HOLD HERB & GARDEN FESTIVAL ONLINE
The Choctaw Library Guild will hold their first herb and garden festival to raise money to support the Metropolitan Library System’s Choctaw Library from May 16th to May 23rd.
“We had planned to have the festival outside, but because of the pandemic, we decided it’s best to hold it online,” said Heather Zeoli, director of development for the Metropolitan Library System.
They will be hosting demonstrations, presentations and DIY “How To” instructional sessions via Zoom [Meeting ID: 868-9500-3396 Password: Choctaw]. There will also be a silent auction in addition to curbsi...
Black Lives Matter Community Read
As American’s delve into raw conversations about race, it can be beneficial to reflect on the stories and experiences of authors who confront antiracism and social justice today. OverDrive has provided libraries with some titles available for simultaneous use - no waits, no holds. Titles include The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander, The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor by Layla F Saad.
“The titles included in our Black Lives Matter: Community Read...
Pride 2020
Pride looks a little different this year with most parades either being postponed or moved online, but we are still doing our part to celebrate at the Library. If you don’t know the history, on June 28, 1969 there was a clash between LGBTQ+ people and cops at a gay bar called the Stonewall Inn. While there is much debate as to whether this event should be called a riot, rebellion or uprising, who threw the first brick at the cops, or whether it was in fact a brick, a stone, or even a handbag; what isn’t up for debate is the lasting impact that this event had for the LGBTQ+ community and Ame...
Media Literacy for Voters
Every election season we all get bombarded with mailers, online posts, and TV ads for candidates or issues, both at the national and local level. Campaigns are consistently adapting their outreach; efforts might range from texting community members to hosting live townhalls. How can we evaluate what we’re seeing and hearing? How do we know who these people are, and whether they’d do a good job in their elected positions? How do we wade through all this election-related content?
Sharpening our media literacy skills and using tried-and-true tools are the best ways to stay infor...
Be an Informed Voter!
Primaries & Special ElectionsDid you know that elections happen throughout the year, not just in November? The next election for Oklahomans is taking place on June 30. It includes both primary elections and State Question 802.
A primary election is an election used either to narrow the field of candidates for a given elective office or to determine the nominees for political parties in advance of a general election. In Oklahoma, the Republican and Libertarian parties conduct closed primaries, meaning that voters must be registered party members to participate. The De...
COVID-19 Diary Project
As part of its commitment to document and share the history of Oklahoma County the Special Collections & Research department of the Metropolitan Library System has announced the Oklahoma County COVID-19 Diary Project. The project will gather journals, diaries and other creative material from around Oklahoma County to help document the community’s experiences during the current crisis caused by the novel coronavirus.
All residents of central Oklahoma are welcome to submit contributions to the project. “One of the library’s roles is to preserve our history and culture for future...
Access Magazines & Newspapers with a Library Account
Have you ever tried to finish a magazine article in the checkout line at the supermarket?
Keeping up with current events and hobbies doesn’t have to be difficult. Your library account gives you access to popular magazines and world-renown newspapers at your fingertips, for free.
This article will help you learn more about how you can use RB Digital, America’s News and National Geographic through your library.
RB Digital Magazines
Access popular publications like InTouch and Allure as well as niche publications like the American Poetry Revi...