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
- 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
- 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
Technology
Collection
- Study rooms - Free (reservations required)
- Meeting rooms - Rented for a cost (reservations required)
- Adult changing station available. Please ask staff.
Spaces
- 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
Special Collections
Hours of Operation
Please check the top of this page for notices impacting our hours of operation or services offered.
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm
Curbside Hours
Mon-Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm
Upcoming Events
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with a festive Papel Picado Garland take-home kit for kids! Create your own colorful paper banner, inspired by the traditional Mexican folk art used to decorate for special occasions. All supplies are included.
Disclaimer(s)
We can only guarantee one kit per household and per registration (if required).
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
Here at the Downtown Library, we’re always looking for fun ways to connect readers with our collection of books. Thus the idea of a library book “subscription”, a connection between YOU the reader and US, your friendly neighborhood librarians.
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!
Visit the library to complete a scavenger hunt exploring the Hispanic heritage of Oklahoma. Stop by the second-floor reference desk to pick up your scavenger hunt sheet. The sheet contains questions about the Hispanic heritage of Oklahoma.
Playing with your baby or toddler is not only important for bonding but is also an educational experience for your child. We are providing a special time for you to come to the library and spend one-on-one time playing with your little one.
Join us in exploring the fascinating world of science!
This week's theme is: The Science of Circuits!
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.