Two Exhibits Visit Libraries Through Month of January

Your Metropolitan Library System is starting Oklahoma's Centennial year off right with a pair of exhibits in place through the month of January that display elements of the state's past.

"We Know We Belong to the Land - 100 Years of Oklahoma and the Congress" opens Tuesday, January 2, at the Midwest City Library, 8143 E. Reno .
“ We're pleased to host the traveling exhibit ‘We Know We Belong to the Land - 100 Years of Oklahoma and the Congress' throughout the month of January,” said Deborah Willis, Midwest City Manager of Library Operations.

Created in conjunction with Oklahoma 's statehood centennial by OU's Carl Albert Congressional Research and Studies Center with support from the Oklahoma Humanities Council, the exhibit charts important American historical and political milestones as they affected the state of Oklahoma .

“Featured in the exhibit,” Willis added, “are images of the territorial government, both World Wars, the Great Depression, and the civil rights movement. You can also see photos of each Oklahoman who represented our state in Congress from the late 1800's to our current delegation, over one hundred in all.”

Also opening on January 2 and on display through January 25 is the “ First Americans, First Oklahomans: Indian Peoples TRACKS Exhibit” at the Choctaw Library, 2525 Muzzy Street in Choctaw.
This exhibit consists of 11 double-sided, freestanding panels, chronicling the story of Oklahoma 's Native Americans, from the ancient times of the "Moundbuilders" to the present day.

“Beginning in the early 1800's, Native Americans were concentrated into smaller and smaller sections of the nation's heartland,” said Choctaw Manager of Library Operations Rosemary Czarski. “Looking at this exhibit, you can trace the history of these great people.”

“ First Americans, First Oklahomans: Indian Peoples” is an Oklahoma Centennial Commemoration Commission Project o-Sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, Oklahoma Humanities Council, Oklahoma History Center, Omniplex, and Sonic, America's Drive-in.”

For more information about the exhibits, please call the Midwest City Library at 732-4828, and the Choctaw 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.