Blog Entries

Info Magazine - April 2026

Inside the April issue of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Nature's Open Book
• National Library Week
• Exploring Poetry
• Featured Reviews
• April Events

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Find Your Joy: Celebrating National Library Week

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator

Libraries are full of stories, but some of the most meaningful ones belong to the people who bring them to life, including staff, guests and advocates who believe in the library’s impact. 

Libraries nationwide celebrate National Library Week April 19–25, recognizing the essential role libraries play in strengthening communities. The 2026 theme, “Find Your Joy,” invites everyone to discover what sparks joy at the lib...

Literary Voices® 2026: An Evening with Jonathan Franzen

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator 

For more than two decades, Literary Voices® has brought nationally recognized authors to Oklahoma City while raising vital support for the Metropolitan Library System. Presented by the Library Endowment Trust, the annual dinner celebrates literature while investing in our community’s future. 

Erin Cowan, a Literary Voices committee member and teacher, has seen firsthand the impact of public libraries and values w...

Uncovering Hidden History: Depression-Era Voices in the Archive

While it was nearly a hundred years ago, the Great Depression is unsettlingly familiar when we take a good look at it. We recall our elders' memories of their lives during those years and think of all the work it takes to pay our bills. Conversations then and now loop in circles around what we should do about poverty and what we owe to the members of our communities who lack day-to-day necessities and the proverbial bootstraps to pull up on.  

When I think of the 1930s and methods used to rebalance our e...

Info Magazine - March 2026

Inside the March issue of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Literary Voices with Jonathan Franzen
• Route 66
• Hidden History
• Women's History Month
• Featured Reviews
• March Events

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Info Magazine - February 2026

Inside the February issue of Info Magazine, you'll find:
• Small Wonders: Insects in Focus
• Friends of the Library Book Sale
• Honoring Black History and Stories
• Getting Ahead: Reading with Your Child
• Featured Reviews
• February Events

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Small Wonders: Insects in Focus Jan. 28-March 16

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator

Discover the mesmerizing world of insects at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library with "Small Wonders: Insects in Focus." The stunning display will be showcased in the library's first floor atrium from Jan. 28 through March 16. The exhibition brings the hidden beauty of insects into striking clarity through the work of Tulsa artist Bob Sober.    

The traveling exhibition, organized by ExhibitsUSA, features large-scale macro photographs that present insects as works of art, highlighting their beauty and importance ...

New eBooks from the Oklahoma Room

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

 

A Tour on the Prairies is an original classic in the lore of Oklahoma history. First published in 1835 this book briefly relates the story of a journey that Washington Irving made into the interior of the present state of Oklahoma, in the autumn of 1832 with a motley band of adventurers. Though known famously for his great American tales of the Headless Horseman and Rip van Winkle, Irving was an accomplished trav...

Getting Ahead: Reading With Your Child at the Library

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator 

As adults across Oklahoma County wrap up Winter Reading goals, the Metropolitan Library System encourages families to focus on their youngest readers. Children’s literacy begins long before school, and one of the simplest ways to build skills is by reading together daily. 

The 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program is a pivotal early-literacy initiative for children from birth to age five. This free, year-rou...

Black History Month at the Library

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator  

By highlighting Black stories and lived experiences, the Metropolitan Library System creates opportunities for learning, conversation and community connection that help keep these histories alive. This winter, the library will host a variety of programs celebrating Black history, culture and community. From author talks to take-home kits, scavenger hunts, writing and crafting workshops, book clubs and creative displays, these events invite the public ...

School Success with Tools and Programs

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator 

The Metropolitan Library System is here to help learners of all ages, whether you're gathering supplies, sharpening your skills, or just looking for a quiet place to focus. The library offers a wide range of tools, resources and programs designed to support your success from the very first bell. 

The library is more than books. It's a place to learn, create and connect with everything from homework help to art works...

Honoring Stories of Survival: Looking Back on Michael Korenblit's Visit

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator 

In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, we reflect on a meaningful program that our libraries hosted last Spring. This highly successful series of programs featured Holocaust educator, award-winning producer and activist Michael Korenblit. Partnering with the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum’s traveling exhibition, Metro Library welcomed hundreds of attendees across multiple branches for Korenblit’s presentations based on his book Until We Meet Again: A True Story of Love and Survival.

Throughout April and May, Kore...

Winter Reading Awaits: Jan. 1 – Feb. 28

By Zoe Travers, Internal Communications Coordinator 

The Metropolitan Library System is gearing up for one of its most anticipated annual traditions: the Winter Reading Challenge. Beginning Jan. 1, adult readers across the county are invited to curl up with a cozy read and join the fun. 

From audiobooks on your commute to a favorite magazine or the novel you can’t put down, every kind of reading helps you make progress this winter. 

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Unlock the Power of Your Library Card

By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator 

Your library card is more than a way to borrow books; it is a key to learning, entertainment, personal growth and community connection. A library card is free for residents of Oklahoma County and gives you access to a full range of services. Plus, students in area schools can use their ONEcard, which automatically enrolls them in a partnership between Metro Library and local schools, giving them access to the same great resources. With physical and digital materials, educational tool...