DONATION MADE FOR ADDITIONAL RENOVATIONS TO THE VILLAGE LIBRARY
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Special Friends of The Village Library have donated $60,000 to help fund renovations to The Village Library teen and adult reading areas.
The Metropolitan Library System budgeted more than $250,000 for renovations to The Village Library to take place in mid-January. The additional funds from the Special Friends of The Village Library, a 501c3 organization that’s mission is to support The Village Library, will allow the library to replace shelving in the teen area and add new lounge seating in both the teen and adult areas, as well as add new dis...
TEEN READ WEEK ENCOURAGES TEENS TO VISIT THE LIBRARY
OKLAHOMA CITY– Strong reading skills translate into better performance at school and better preparedness for careers – during Teen Read Week the library highlights the importance of making time for reading.
Teen Read Week is Oct. 7-13, 2018 and the Metropolitan Library System invites teens to take advantage of reading in all its forms – books, magazines, eBooks, audiobooks and more. To encourage teens to read and visit the library, Metro Libraries are offering programs to make crafts and DIY, watch movies with friends, join a book club, play games and trivia, expl...
STEAM PROGRAMING AT THE LIBRARY OFFERS MORE THAN READING SKILLS
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System has developed a variety of summer STEAM programs for all ages including some programs hosted by the Science Museum of Oklahoma.
The programs showcase technology-based learning to help equip children and teens with the knowledge they need to be skilled and ethical technology users as well as cultivate key problem-solving skills. STEAM programs focus on areas including science, technology, engineering, art and math.
“We have some unique new STEAM programs this summer to get the whole family di...
LIBRARY PROGRAM ENGAGES KIDS IN SCIENCE PROBLEM-SOLVING
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System’s “Sensational Science Camp” engages gradeschoolers and preschoolers in hand-on activities to teach science concepts and problem-solving skills.
Ruff Ruffman’s Sensational Science Camp, funded in part by OETA Ready to Learn, encourages children ages 4 to 8 to explore core science concepts by modeling science skills to learn the value of failure and exploration and help children learn to tackle challenges. The program introduces the topic using OETA’s Ruff Ruffman science show. A trained librarian then helps children e...
LIBRARY OFFERS ROBOTICS PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS
OKLAHOMA CITY– Robotics programs at the Del City Library give teens and gradeschoolers the opportunity to engineer and program robots to do just about anything.
Del City Library will offer a Robotics Boot Camp Monday, Nov. 5. The program uses Dash and Dot robots and LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots to teach basic robotics concepts. Dash and Dot robots are spherical programmable robots geared toward beginners and LEGO Mindstorms EV3 robots are buildable brick robots with programmable motors and sensors for more advanced robot creations.
Each ro...
THE METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM RELEASES OKLAHOMA-THEMED PODCASTS
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System will release a new series of Oklahoma-themed podcasts celebrating Oklahoma arts, culture and history as well as the lives of influential Oklahomans today.
The first podcast will launch Thursday, November 29 with additional ones in December. On Saturday, Dec. 1 a special on the BC Clark Anniversary Sale Jingle, a vestige of the holiday season in Oklahoma will be launched. MLS will release a new episode monthly. Upcoming discussion topics include multi-episode segments on Oklahoma alcohol laws and the process for runnin...
LIBRARY HOSTS OTHERWORLDLY FESTIVAL
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System will celebrate the spirits of the season with the second annual Paranormal Festival at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library on Oct. 13 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Presentations from paranormal experts will cover a variety of topics including ghost hunting, astrology, UFOs, metaphysics, local ghost stories, bigfoot, past lives and more. Services including psychic, tarot and medium readings will be available during the event.
The festival has presentations for all ages. Children’s paranormal progr...
FIND YOUR ROOTS AT THE LIBRARY
OKLAHOMA CITY– Oklahoman’s looking to connect to their roots can visit the library for genealogical help. This month the Metropolitan Library System is celebrating genealogy and telling customers how to, “find your roots at the library.”
November is Family History Month at all Metro Libraries. Oklahoma County residents can visit the library’s website to get started or call the special collections department to get help with genealogical research questions.
“We want our customers to be aware of the free genealogy resources we have availab...
METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OKLAHOMA CITY – Julie Ballou was selected as the new executive director by the Metropolitan Library Commission, effective Oct. 8, 2018. Ballou previously served as deputy executive director of public services.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a great organization into a new era of library services for the people of Oklahoma County,” Ballou said.
Ballou has worked for the Metropolitan Library System for 25 years. She began her library career at the Village Library in 1993. After many years as a librarian, she later worked as a materials selector before accept...
TEEN TECH MONTH LAUNCHES AT METRO AREA LIBRARIES
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System is working to inspire Oklahoma teens to explore, create and share by celebrating Teen Tech Month throughout March.
Metro Libraries will be hosting programs that showcase the technology-based learning available through the library to help teens prepare for college and careers by ensuring they are skilled and ethical technology users. The programs inspire teens to explore science, technology, engineering, art, math and much more.
“Libraries are essential in extending learning beyond the classr...
LIBRARY ANNOUNCES SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
OKLAHOMA CITY– Whether Oklahoma County families are traveling or planning a staycation – the library has a variety of programs and services to keep users of every age entertained during spring break.
There is something for everyone at the library this spring break. Pass the time in the car with library materials and services available on a mobile device such as eAudiobooks, eBooks and 24/7 access to streaming music and movies. Families planning to stay local for the break can visit the many March library programs including zip lines engineering design, star gazing...
LIBRARY PROGRAM PROMOTES SCIENTIFIC LITERACY
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System’s “Spooktacular Science” program engages all ages in fun, hands-on activities to teach science concepts.
Ruff Ruffman’s Sensational Science Camp, funded in part by OETA Ready to Learn, encourages children ages 4 to 8 to explore core science concepts by modeling science skills to learn the value of failure and exploration and help children learn to tackle challenges. The program introduces the topic using OETA’s Ruff Ruffman science show. A trained librarian then helps children explore the concepts discussed in the sho...
SIGN-UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD AND BE ENTERED TO WIN
OKLAHOMA CITY– There is one essential school supply that doesn’t require shopping and doesn’t cost a penny – a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month at all Metro Libraries. Oklahoma County residents can sign up for a library card or refer a friend to be entered to win a Kindle Fire. The library is encouraging everyone to “check out something incredible!” this month.
The value of a library card adds up. Users can access magazines, DVDs, music, computers, software, eBooks and eAudiobooks for free. Library resources are avai...
Library Customer Develops App Using Library Learning Resource
OKLAHOMA CITY– Developing a competitive edge with key professional skills does not have to be expensive. Library users can develop their professional skills from the convenience of their couch through the library’s eResource Lynda.com.
In January the library is highlighting the variety of courses available on Lynda.com that are accessible with a library card. Lynda.com is an online learning platform with video learning tutorials hosted by industry experts in areas such as business, technology and creative skills.
“Lynda has been instrumental in reaching some ...
Metro Libraries Host Series of Discussions Celebrating Invisible Man by Oklahoma Author Ralph Ellison
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System will host a series of discussions to celebrate Invisible Man, written by beloved Oklahoma author Ralph Ellison the last week of September. The series kicked off with a Facebook live video discussion led by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and executive director of the Ralph Ellison Foundation, Michael Owens.
Invisible Man was selected by PBS “The Great American Read” as one of American’s 100 best-loved books. The book was written in 1952, a time of segregation and racial tension in Oklahoma. Each discussion is scholar led and will focus...