WEATHER NOTICE:

Due to inclement weather, all Metro Library branches are closed today (Wednesday, February 12).

Blog Entries

Blog Type

New E-books from the Oklahoma Room

 

Metro Library's Special Collections presents three new eBooks from the shelves of the Oklahoma Room now available in the local interest area of Overdrive and Libby. 

 

 

Originally published in 1967, Oklahoma Boy is the autobiography of late Tulsa resident Ross T. Warner, including memories of the Cherokee Strip opening, service in World War I and of the Tulsa Race Massacre. 

A former accountant, Warner's story provides details of life on the Great Plains, emigrating in covered wagons, and setting up a homestead. Warner also shares his persp...

Oklahoma City's First Black Child: Diving into Our History


Oklahoma City's First Black Child: Diving into Our History
Judie Matthews, Special Collections Librarian

Who was the first Black child born in Oklahoma City? In a city obsessed with the first, biggest, only, and best, this important legacy deserves our attention too. 

 

On April 21, 1910 census enumerator Dorthy P. Klein set off to talk with residents of the Orchard Park addition in West Oklahoma City. Platted and opened to sale in 1901, the neighborhood had a mix of both Black and Wh...

Black Enclaves in Oklahoma City: Exhibit

Black Enclaves in Oklahoma City: Exhibit
Judie Matthews, Special Collections Librarian


All through the month of February 2025 Special Collections and Research presents the exhibit Black Enclaves in Oklahoma City in the Philomathea Hall at the Downtown Library. The exhibit is available all hours the library is open.

Oklahoma City was built around the North Canadian River from its earliest days. The river in 1900 looked very different from the channeled path it takes today. The river twisted around, taking the path of least resistance across the terrain. It was dense with v...

Welcome to Special Collections

Welcome to Special Collections and the debut of our blog Little Dice Rolled Out. The name originates from the first nationally published description of Oklahoma City in Harper's Weekly magazine in 1889, which observed that the white tents and small shacks of settlers in the newly formed Oklahoma City looked like someone had rolled dice out onto the prairie.

In this space we'll provide updates on the activities of the Special Collections and Research Department, including our collections, exhibits, original content, stories, and research finds. Bookmark us and check back often. We have...

Info Magazine - February 2024

Inside the February edition of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Celebrating Black History Month
• Featured Book Reviews
• Love Your Library
• A Tradition of Treasures
• Winter Reading
• Frozen in Time
• February Events

...

Info Magazine - January 2024

Inside the January edition of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Winter Reading: Hot Reads & Cool Prizes
• New Year's Goals
• Featured Book Reviews
• A Legacy of Learning
• Making a Lasting Impact
• Behind the Stacks
• January Events

...

Discover New Reads, Win Prizes with the Book Bingo Winter Reading Challenge

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 30, 2024

Oklahoma City, OK – This winter, the Metropolitan Library System invites adults to embrace the joys of reading with the return of the beloved Book Bingo Winter Reading Challenge. Running from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, this annual program encourages participants to explore unique reading categories, connect with their community and win exciting prizes.

Winter Reading isn’t just about books—it’s a celebration of all types of reading. Whether you prefer audiobooks, e-books, magazines, bedtime stories, or physical books, all formats count tow...

Info Magazine - December 2024

Inside the December edition of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Family Holiday Reads
• Voices and Votes
• Handmade Holidays
• Featured Book Reviews
• OKC's Dance Legacy: The Nutcracker and Beyond
• The Worst Hard Time Revisited
• Winter Reading Preview
• December Events

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Festive Crafts, Educational Fun and Family-Friendly Events at Metro Libraries This December

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2024

Festive Crafts, Educational Fun and Family-Friendly Events at Metro Libraries This December

Looking for fun, free and educational activities this holiday season? The Metropolitan Library System offers a variety of events throughout December to bring joy and inspiration to families and guests of all ages.

Holly Jolly Holiday Events

Celebrate the season with these festive library events for little ones and for the whole family: 

Letters to Santa
Dec. 1–21 all day | Capitol Hill Library
S...

Festive Crafts, Educational Fun and Family-Friendly Events at Metro Libraries This December

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 25, 2025

Looking for fun, free and educational activities this holiday season? The Metropolitan Library System offers a variety of events throughout December to bring joy and inspiration to families and guests of all ages.

 

Holly Jolly Holiday Events

Celebrate the season with these festive library events for little ones and for the whole family: 

Letters to Santa
Dec. 1–21 all day | Capitol Hill Library
Send your holiday wishes directly to the North Pole! Hot Chocolate & Coffee for Cowboy Christmas
Dec...

Info Magazine - November 2024

Inside the November edition of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Voices of Gratitude: Why We Love Our Libraries
• Celebrating Native American Heritage Month
• Ballet at the Library
• Pages to Stages
• Featured Book Reviews
• Unveiling Karen Kerr
• November Events

...

November at the Library: Native American Heritage Month, Library Out Loud, and OKC Ballet Events

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2024

November at the Library: Native American Heritage Month, Library Out Loud, and OKC Ballet Events

This November, the Metropolitan Library System invites you to celebrate Native American Heritage Month with special events, take-home kits, a library concert and holiday events in collaboration with the OKC Ballet. There’s something for everyone!

 

Native American Heritage Month Events & Kits
Families are invited to explore diverse Native cultures with a variety of engaging take-home kits availa...

Info Magazine - October 2024

Inside the October edition of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Paranormal Fest 2024 at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library
• Civic Engagement
• Teentober
• Author Russell Cobb and Muscogee Land
• Mini Community Book Sale
• From Punk to Preservation
• October Events

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October Events at Metropolitan Libraries: TeenTober, Hispanic Heritage, Paranormal Fest, Civic Engagement, and More

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2024

Celebrating “TeenTober” at the Library!

This October, TeenTober invites teens to connect with libraries through a range of reading options, including graphic novels and Sequoyah favorites. Resources like Oklahoma Driving Practice Tests, LearningExpress Library, and the College Blue Book are available. Teens can also enjoy digital comics, eBooks, and audiobooks on OverDrive.

Teen Events This October

Literacies Scavenger Hunt (Southern Oaks Library, Oct. 2-8)
Test your skills with a scavenger ...

Info Magazine - September 2024

Inside the September edition of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• 15 Ways to Use Your Library Card, in honor of Library Card Sign Up Month
• Hispanic Heritage Month at the Library
• New Edmond YMCA/Library Complex
• Featured Book Reviews
• Alec Templeton: A Legacy in OKC's Musical Heritage
• Let's Go Back to the State Fair
• September Events

...