Lawton 's David Titus may be the only funiculologist you'll have a chance to chat with all summer-but just call him The String Man.

A "funiculologist" is someone who can create figures by manipulating string with his fingers, and Titus has been telling stories with the use of string figures for nearly 40 years. He's traveled the world collecting tales and patterns for new figures, as well as sharing the ones he already knows with fascinated people from Honduras to Nepal .

And he's coming to the Choctaw Library on Thursday, June 29, with two programs. For children ages 6 - 12 he's offering "String Them Up: An Ananzi Spider Story with String" from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. , and for teens from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. , "Create a Creature: Storytelling With String."

"David will teach the audience how to make some simple string figures," said Manager of Choctaw Library Operations Rosemary Czarski, "and those attending will receive a free story string.

"At the teen program, David will share his mixed talents for storytelling and forming string figures, and maybe even teach us a few string tricks. The teens will also receive a free story string."

"Stories are important," Titus insists. "They can change people's minds."

Titus once asked an audience of children in a library where the stories were kept and they pointed to the library shelves.

"No, no, no," he told them, then paused. Putting his hand to his chest, he said, "They're here. Those are just the scripts."

Both programs are free and open to the public. Seating is limited so pre-registration is required. Please call the library at 390-8418.

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and five extension libraries. Libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Ralph Ellison, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres. Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City . You can also reach us at www.metrolibrary.org.