THE METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM RELEASES OKLAHOMA-THEMED PODCASTS
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System will release a new series of Oklahoma-themed podcasts celebrating Oklahoma arts, culture and history as well as the lives of influential Oklahomans today.
The first podcast will launch Thursday, November 29 with additional ones in December. On Saturday, Dec. 1 a special on the BC Clark Anniversary Sale Jingle, a vestige of the holiday season in Oklahoma will be launched. MLS will release a new episode monthly. Upcoming discussion topics include multi-episode segments on Oklahoma alcohol laws and the process for runnin...
LIBRARY HOSTS OTHERWORLDLY FESTIVAL
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System will celebrate the spirits of the season with the second annual Paranormal Festival at the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library on Oct. 13 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Presentations from paranormal experts will cover a variety of topics including ghost hunting, astrology, UFOs, metaphysics, local ghost stories, bigfoot, past lives and more. Services including psychic, tarot and medium readings will be available during the event.
The festival has presentations for all ages. Children’s paranormal progr...
FIND YOUR ROOTS AT THE LIBRARY
OKLAHOMA CITY– Oklahoman’s looking to connect to their roots can visit the library for genealogical help. This month the Metropolitan Library System is celebrating genealogy and telling customers how to, “find your roots at the library.”
November is Family History Month at all Metro Libraries. Oklahoma County residents can visit the library’s website to get started or call the special collections department to get help with genealogical research questions.
“We want our customers to be aware of the free genealogy resources we have availab...
METROPOLITAN LIBRARY SYSTEM WELCOMES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
OKLAHOMA CITY – Julie Ballou was selected as the new executive director by the Metropolitan Library Commission, effective Oct. 8, 2018. Ballou previously served as deputy executive director of public services.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to lead a great organization into a new era of library services for the people of Oklahoma County,” Ballou said.
Ballou has worked for the Metropolitan Library System for 25 years. She began her library career at the Village Library in 1993. After many years as a librarian, she later worked as a materials selector before accept...
TEEN TECH MONTH LAUNCHES AT METRO AREA LIBRARIES
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System is working to inspire Oklahoma teens to explore, create and share by celebrating Teen Tech Month throughout March.
Metro Libraries will be hosting programs that showcase the technology-based learning available through the library to help teens prepare for college and careers by ensuring they are skilled and ethical technology users. The programs inspire teens to explore science, technology, engineering, art, math and much more.
“Libraries are essential in extending learning beyond the classr...
LIBRARY ANNOUNCES SPRING BREAK PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
OKLAHOMA CITY– Whether Oklahoma County families are traveling or planning a staycation – the library has a variety of programs and services to keep users of every age entertained during spring break.
There is something for everyone at the library this spring break. Pass the time in the car with library materials and services available on a mobile device such as eAudiobooks, eBooks and 24/7 access to streaming music and movies. Families planning to stay local for the break can visit the many March library programs including zip lines engineering design, star gazing...
LIBRARY PROGRAM PROMOTES SCIENTIFIC LITERACY
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System’s “Spooktacular Science” program engages all ages in fun, hands-on activities to teach science concepts.
Ruff Ruffman’s Sensational Science Camp, funded in part by OETA Ready to Learn, encourages children ages 4 to 8 to explore core science concepts by modeling science skills to learn the value of failure and exploration and help children learn to tackle challenges. The program introduces the topic using OETA’s Ruff Ruffman science show. A trained librarian then helps children explore the concepts discussed in the sho...
SIGN-UP FOR A LIBRARY CARD AND BE ENTERED TO WIN
OKLAHOMA CITY– There is one essential school supply that doesn’t require shopping and doesn’t cost a penny – a library card.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month at all Metro Libraries. Oklahoma County residents can sign up for a library card or refer a friend to be entered to win a Kindle Fire. The library is encouraging everyone to “check out something incredible!” this month.
The value of a library card adds up. Users can access magazines, DVDs, music, computers, software, eBooks and eAudiobooks for free. Library resources are avai...
Library Customer Develops App Using Library Learning Resource
OKLAHOMA CITY– Developing a competitive edge with key professional skills does not have to be expensive. Library users can develop their professional skills from the convenience of their couch through the library’s eResource Lynda.com.
In January the library is highlighting the variety of courses available on Lynda.com that are accessible with a library card. Lynda.com is an online learning platform with video learning tutorials hosted by industry experts in areas such as business, technology and creative skills.
“Lynda has been instrumental in reaching some ...
Metro Libraries Host Series of Discussions Celebrating Invisible Man by Oklahoma Author Ralph Ellison
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System will host a series of discussions to celebrate Invisible Man, written by beloved Oklahoma author Ralph Ellison the last week of September. The series kicked off with a Facebook live video discussion led by Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt and executive director of the Ralph Ellison Foundation, Michael Owens.
Invisible Man was selected by PBS “The Great American Read” as one of American’s 100 best-loved books. The book was written in 1952, a time of segregation and racial tension in Oklahoma. Each discussion is scholar led and will focus...
Need a New Read? Ask Alexa to Get it from Your Local Library
OKLAHOMA CITY–Metro Library’s eResource, Hoopla Digital, launched an Alexa integration enabling library customers with the Amazon Alexa smart home speaker to use voice commands to access their library Hoopla account – giving customers more from their library, without leaving the house.
The integration will allow library customers to use voice commands like, “Alexa, ask Hoopla to list popular audiobooks” or “Alexa, ask Hoopla to play my music” and other commands. Through the new Hoopla skill library customers will be able to stream full music CDs and listen to audiobooks that they ...
LIBRARY HOSTS FAN FICTION AND FAN ART CONTEST
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Metropolitan Library System is looking for local artists and writers to share their fandom and talent with the community for a chance to win prizes. Metro Library announced the annual Fan Fiction and Fan Art contest.
Submissions will be accepted through March 24 at 6:00 p.m. by emailing cjones@metrolibrary.org or by dropping them off at the Southern Oaks Library. Winners will be announced at the announcement party and awards ceremony on March 30, 2019 from 1:30-3:30 p.m.
Prizes for the winners will include gift cards, DVDs, plushies and more. The anno...
New Bakery Opens at the Downtown Library
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Ronald J Norick Downtown Library is welcoming a new bakery and sandwich shop to their downstairs café space.
D Taino Bakery will open Monday, Feb. 4, 2019 at the Ronald J Norick Downtown Library café on the corner of Park and Harvey. In addition to freshly baked pastries, they will serve a variety of savory breakfast and lunch items.
“We are excited to have D Taino in our library and looking forward to the convenience that a quality bakery nearby will bring to our customers,” Deputy Executive Director of Operations for the Metropolitan Library System A...
Large-Scale Renovation Planned for Belle Isle Library
OKLAHOMA CITY– Plans for the renovation of the Belle Isle Library will soon be underway after the City of Oklahoma City Council recently awarded the design of the project to ADG, a local architecture firm.
The renovation will include major changes to the existing floorplan and an expansion that will add about 14,000 square foot to the library. In addition, the library will add new furniture, fixtures and equipment.
“We are excited to get started on the Belle Isle Library renovation project,” Deputy Executive Director of Operations Anthony Herron said. “The Belle Isle Lib...
Citizenship Program Opens Doors for Metro Families
OKLAHOMA CITY– The Metropolitan Library System offers local literacy programs to help immigrants become citizens as a part of the Oklahoma Department of Libraries Citizenship Corners Program.
Southern Oaks and Edmond Metro Library branches coordinate Citizenship Classes as part of Citizenship Corners, areas designated across the country to serve non-native English speakers. The program helped 38 immigrants become citizens in the first two years of the program and has worked with immigrants from over 35 countries.
Metro Libraries, together with the Teaching English to Spe...