You may have noticed that many of our libraries have been closed occasionally for suspected or confirmed Covid cases. We treat each occurrence of someone with symptoms as an impact, whether it turns out to be an impact or not, so there are a lot more closures than are required. We want to play it safe for our customers, so we close and disinfect every time. We want to provide a safe environment for you to use.
INFORMATION ABOUT OUR
GRAB & GO STAGE
We are reopening the libraries in stages for the safety of our customers and staff. In our "Grab & Go" stage, customers can again enter the library, but they are encouraged to make their in-person visit as brief as possible.
Face Masks
Face masks (covering both the nose and the mouth) are required for entry into library facilities. We are following the CDC mask recommendations and City of Oklahoma City mask mandates with the following exceptions:
- Children age 10 and under
- People with a developmental disability
- People who are deaf or hard-of-hearing, and people who are communicating with someone who is deaf or hard-of-hearing
- People who have trouble breathing
- People who are unable to remove the mask without assistance
Customers who do not follow the mask mandate will be served by curbside service.
STAY INFORMED
Stay informed by watching our website and following us on social media. We will provide updates, notices on library closures, and changes in services offered.
GRAB & GO HOURS OF OPERATION
- Monday-Thursday: 9-8pm
- Friday: 9-6pm
- Saturday: 9-4pm
- Sunday: 1-5pm
*The hours for Harrah, Jones, Luther, Nicoma Park, and Wright vary from the hours listed above.
**Phone and digital support is available: M-Th: 9-9pm; Fr: 9-6pm; Sat: 9-5pm; Sun: 1-6pm
GRAB & GO CURBSIDE
HOURS
- Monday-Thursday: 1-7pm
- Friday: 1-6pm
- Saturday: 1-4pm
- Sunday: 1-5pm
Curbside delivery for Harrah, Jones, Luther, Nicoma Park, and Wright will operate within their regular hours of operation.
How It Works
- We will notify you by text, email, or postal mail when your holds are ready to pick up. Text and email are the quickest ways to be notified and you can enable these settings on this page.
- To pick up a hold using curbside service, call the library once you have arrived during the curbside hours of operation, press option 3, and curbside staff will deliver your holds to your car.
GRAB & GO IN-LIBRARY SERVICES
Self-Service Copying, Faxing, Printing, and Scanning
- Make copies, send faxes, print documents, or scan documents in the library.
- Faxing and scanning are free.
- Costs to make copies or print: black and white-$0.10/page, color-$0.50/page.
- Make free copies of the following forms of ID needed to vote by absentee ballot:
- A valid photo identification issued to you by the United States, by the State of Oklahoma, or by a federally recognized Native American nation or tribe, or
- A valid photo identification issued to you by a branch of the United States armed forces because you are a member or a retired member of that service branch, or
- The free Voter Identification Card mailed to you by your County Election Board when you registered to vote. (Please contact your County Election Board to have a new copy of your Voter Identification Card mailed to you.)
Browsing, Checkout, Holds, and Materials
- You can browse the shelves and retrieve your holds from the hold shelf.
- Use a self-check machine or have staff help you check out.
- Interlibrary Loan (ILL) service has resumed.
- Our Suggest a Title feature has resumed.
Limited Public Computers Use
- Computer sessions are 30 minutes each with a max of two sessions/day.
- Computer sessions are reserved in-person only at every library.
- Computers are spaced to support social distancing.
- Children’s computers are not available.
GRAB & GO SAFETY MEASURES
- Masks covering the nose and mouth are required for all customers and staff inside any Metropolitan Library location.
- In addition to wearing masks, staff will wear gloves while handling materials and money.
- All materials must continue to be returned to the library using the outside book returns.
- All returned materials will be held in quarantine for at least 96 hours before they are checked in and customers will be credited for the date on which they returned the materials.
- Frequently touched areas should be cleaned at least 3 times/day. These areas include (but are not limited to) public computers, self-check machines, desks and tables, and copy/scan/fax machines.
- Computers are spaced to support social distancing.
- To encourage customers to "Grab & Go," tables and chairs will not be available for customers to use.
ONLINE PROGRAMMING
- Visit our Student Center to locate homework help resources, a list of upcoming programs, fun scavenger hunts, arts/crafts tutorials, and more.
- Missed our Neighborhood Arts performances? View past performances on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Neighborhood Arts showcases a variety of musical styles and performance arts round out the cultural offerings. The performances are sponsored by the Arts Council of OKC, National Endowment of the Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council, and aim to provide access to music, dance and visual arts education” to the community. These videos will be available until December 31, 2020.
- Looking for fun activities for your family? View our Create at Home video library and use materials easily found at home to create masterpieces. Our staff highlight an easy family craft and provide supplemental reading to continue the learning after the craft is complete.
- Our library mascot is lonely and misses seeing children in our libraries. We invite children of all ages to write Spoticus and become his pen pal.
- Don't know what to read next? Let our reading experts create a personalized reading list just for you.
- Watch our events calendar for updates about upcoming programming.
ACCESS THE LIBRARY FROM HOME
- Digital Titles Available 24/7 - Your library has plenty of digital titles available 24/7 for all ages, including eBooks, eAudiobooks, databases, streaming music, movies, TV shows, and more.
- Book a Librarian - Do you need help navigating an online application? Learning how to video conference? Researching your ancestry? Complete a short survey and a librarian will contact you by email, phone, or video chat.
- Research, Services, and Online Learning - Get access to library services, collections, research and online learning sources wherever you are! Get help from Ask a Librarian, explore online training through Lynda.com, learn a new language, research your family history, and more.
ADDITIONAL UPDATES
- All children's materials are fine free.
- Access free Wi-Fi from our library parking lots at any time.
- In-person library programs are suspended until further notice, but many programs are available online.
- Library outreach has been suspended until further notice.
- Public meeting room usage has been suspended until further notice.
- In-person volunteer opportunities, including volunteering for the Friends of the Library, have been suspended until further notice.
- In-library reading and studying are not available during the Grab & Go stage.
- Book donations at our libraries and at our sort site have been suspended until further notice. If you would like to be notified when we resume accepting donations, please visit this page.
Previous Updates
While library buildings are not open for customers, this stage includes:
Curbside Service
- Hours are M-Th: 9am-7pm; Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 1-6pm.
- Curbside delivery for Harrah, Jones, Luther, Nicoma Park, and Wright will operate within their regular hours of operation.
- We will notify you when the items are ready for pickup.
- To pick up a hold, call the library once you have arrived and staff will deliver your materials to your car.
Staff-Assisted Services
- Staff can make free copies of the following forms of ID needed to vote by absentee ballot:
- A valid photo identification issued to you by the United States, by the State of Oklahoma, or by a federally recognized Native American nation or tribe, or
- A valid photo identification issued to you by a branch of the United States armed forces because you are a member or a retired member of that service branch, or
- The free Voter Identification Card mailed to you by your County Election Board when you registered to vote. (Please contact your County Election Board to have a new copy of your Voter Identification Card mailed to you.)
- Please follow the instructions for curbside service and let the staff know you are needing a copy of your ID to vote by absentee ballot.
Safety Measures
- All returned materials will be held in quarantine for at least 96 hours before they are checked in and customers will be credited for the date on which they returned the materials.
- Staff will wear face masks.
Online Programming
- Summer Reading ran June 1-July 31. Prize pickup will occur August 1-31. Time spent reading and completing activities during June and July can be backlogged during the prize pickup window.
- Missed our Neighborhood Arts performances? You can view videos of these performances on our Facebook and Instagram pages. Neighborhood Arts showcases a variety of musical styles and performance arts round out the cultural offerings. The performances are sponsored by the Arts Council of OKC, National Endowment of the Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council, and aim to provide access to music, dance and visual arts education” to the community. These links will be up until December 31st.
- Join us for our 3rd annual LitFest! Writers of all ages, skill levels, mediums, and genres are welcome. Enjoy the opportunity to learn from industry professionals on a variety of topics, all online, all at your own pace.
- Looking for fun activities for your family? View our Create at Home video library and use materials easily found at home to create masterpieces. Our staff highlight an easy family craft and provide supplemental reading to continue the learning after the craft is complete.
- Our library mascot is lonely and misses seeing children in our libraries. We invite children of all ages to write Spoticus and become his pen pal.
- Online Storytimes are scheduled weekly on Tuesday and Wednesdays.
- Don't know what to read next? Let our reading experts create a personalized reading list just for you.
- Watch our events calendar for additional exciting programs throughout the summer.
Access the Library from Home
- eBooks, Audiobooks, TV Shows, Movies, and Music Available 24/7 - Your library has plenty of online tools for all ages - including e-books, e-audiobooks, databases, streaming music, movies, TV series and more. Access all this and more with your library card no matter where you are.
- Book a Librarian - Do you need help navigating an online application? Learning how to video conference? Researching your ancestry? Complete a short survey and a librarian will contact you by email, phone, or video chat.
- Research, Services, & Online Learning - Get access to library services, collections, research and online learning sources wherever you are! Get help from Ask a Librarian, explore online training through Lynda.com, learn a new language, research your family history, and more.
Additional Updates
- Beginning on July 1st, 2020, all children's materials will be fine free.
- Public computers are not available.
- Copying, faxing, and scanning services are not available.
- Browsing the shelves, reading in a library, and self-checkout are not available.
- Materials can only be returned using the outside book drops.
- Access free Wi-Fi from our library parking lots at any time.
- In-person library programs are suspended until further notice, but many programs are available online.
- Library outreach has been suspended until further notice.
- Public meeting room usage has been suspended until further notice.
- In-person volunteer opportunities, including volunteering for the Friends of the Library, have been suspended until further notice.
- Book donations at our libraries and at our sort site have been suspended until further notice.
The Metropolitan Library System (MLS) is actively monitoring the outbreak of the novel coronavirus COVID-19. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, all library locations are closed through Sunday, May 3rd.
Decisions like these do not come easy, as it means a temporary loss of access to the in-person learning services and gathering spaces the Library is known for providing to so many in our community. However, while our physical libraries may be closed, we will continue to provide the many digital services you can access from home, such as e-books and e-audiobooks, streaming movies and TV shows, homework help and job search resources, digital magazines and newspapers, and more.
We will be in continued contact with the Library Commission to evaluate our response beyond this timeline. All holds on Library materials will remain active and Library materials already checked out can be renewed on our website for your convenience. Titles currently checked out will not accrue late fees while we are closed. All materials currently checked out will been renewed with a new due of Monday, May 18th, 2020. Thank you for your understanding.
Information about COVID-19 is rapidly changing. We are at an unprecedented moment in our city, state, and country. At this time of uncertainty, MLS is continuing to keep all those impacted by the virus in our thoughts. For those of you who interact with our wonderful staff, please note that we are looking at ways of utilizing their talents during this time and being considerate of their health and well-being.
We are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of illness throughout our libraries and that includes ensuring that we are following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control regarding social distancing. We look forward to welcoming you back into our buildings when it is safe to do so, so our communities can begin to reconvene and rebuild a sense of normalcy.
We will regularly update this page.
Information about COVID-19 is rapidly changing. We have reached out to the Oklahoma City-County Health Department and we will follow guidance from our local, county, and state health experts. For the most up-to-date information, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. For up-to-date information about Oklahoma, visit the Oklahoma State Department of Health's Coronavirus Response page.
About the Coronavirus & COVID-19
Coronavirus FAQ
According to the CDC, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a respiratory illness that can spread from person to person. The virus that causes COVID-19 is a novel coronavirus that was first identified during an investigation into an outbreak in Wuhan, China.
Coronavirus symptoms often appear similar to the common cold or influenza. The most common symptoms include:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
According to the CDC, symptoms may appear between 2-14 days after being exposed.
Coronavirus is thought to spread through close contact (within about 6 feet). Respiratory droplets are produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can be inhaled into the lungs through the nose or mouth.
It is possible to spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it. However, this is not thought to be the main way of spreading the virus.
Infected people are believed to be the most contagious when they display the most symptoms. Spread is possible before showing symptoms, but this is less likely.
Know how it spreads
- There is currently no vaccine to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
- The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus.
- The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person.
- Between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet).
- Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs, sneezes or talks.
- These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
- Some recent studies have suggested that COVID-19 may be spread by people who are not showing symptoms
Everyone Should
Wash your hands often
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
- It’s especially important to wash:
- Before eating or preparing food
- Before touching your face
- After using the restroom
- After leaving a public place
- After blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing
- After handling your cloth face covering
- After changing a diaper
- After caring for someone sick
- After touching animals or pets
- If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact
- Inside your home: Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- If possible, maintain 6 feet between the person who is sick and other household members.
- Outside your home: Put 6 feet of distance between yourself and people who don’t live in your household.
- Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
- Stay at least 6 feet (about 2 arms’ length) from other people.
- Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.
Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others
- You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
- The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
- Everyone should wear a cloth face cover in public settings and when around people who don’t live in your household, especially when other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain.
- Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
- Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker. Currently, surgical masks and N95 respirators are critical supplies that should be reserved for healthcare workers and other first responders.
- Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.
Clean and disinfect
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
- If surfaces are dirty, clean them. Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.
- Then, use a household disinfectant. Most common EPA-registered household disinfectantsexternal icon will work.
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Monitor Your Health Daily
- Be alert for symptoms. Watch for fever, cough, shortness of breath, or other symptoms of COVID-19.
- Especially important if you are running essential errands, going into the office or workplace, and in settings where it may be difficult to keep a physical distance of 6 feet.
- Take your temperature if symptoms develop.
- Don’t take your temperature within 30 minutes of exercising or after taking medications that could lower your temperature, like acetaminophen.
- Follow CDC guidance if symptoms develop.
From the CDC Website
U.S. Department of State Travel Bans and More
See recently updated travel bans, recommendations for international travelers and assistance for U.S. citizens abroad.
Preventative Measures and Information
Interim guidance, as provided by the CDC, is based on what is currently known about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and transmission of other viral respiratory infections. CDC will update this interim guidance as needed and as additional information becomes available.