Outreach Services

Young girl smiling and looking at book

The Metropolitan Library System is committed to serving all people, neighborhoods and communities in our service area. To meet people where they are, our Outreach Department offers a variety of services, presentations, and programs out in the community.

Library by Mail

Library by Mail provides library materials (like books or books on CD) by USPS at no cost to library customers who are homebound or who are otherwise physically unable to visit one of our 19 library locations. Library by Mail offers monthly newsletters with suggested titles from the Library by Mail collection.

Are you eligible for Library by Mail Service?

To be eligible for Library by Mail services, customers must be:

65 years or older or homebound AND reside in Oklahoma County

Call 405-606-3295 or 405-606-3297 to consult with a staff member to determine eligibility.

Onsite Libraries

Metropolitan Library System provides library materials to more than 90 locations across Oklahoma County in the form of on-site libraries. These locations include senior living facilities, Head Start/child development centers, and parks and recreation centers across the metro area. Books and audiobooks are delivered to these sites on an 6- to 8-week rotation, providing access to seniors and children who might otherwise not be able to visit a library.

If you are interested in having an on-site library and your organization is in the Oklahoma County area, contact us at 405-606-3295.


Out in the Community

Our Outreach Department coordinates and attends community events, reaching individuals and communities who may not be aware of or able to access services at our 19 locations. You can find us at festivals, special events, and other community activities throughout Oklahoma County. Check out all the upcoming events, including programs at your local library, by viewing the calendar below.

This event is in the "All Ages" group
This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Nature's Open Book

All Day 4/1–5/31
All Ages, Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens, Adults
Downtown Library
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Atrium (Downtown)
Age Group: All Ages, Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Displays & Exhibits, Museums at MLS, Science & STEAM
Event Description:

Discover the fascinating world of bones at Nature's Open Book, a special exhibit from SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology! 

This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group
This event is in the "Kids" group

Bugs & Butterflies Take-Home Activity Kit

All Day 4/6–4/13
Birth-PreK, Kids
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Birth-PreK, Kids
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, DIY & Hobbies, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:

Grab a fun take-home kit to learn about bugs and butterflies. This kit includes coloring sheets, a backyard bug scavenger hunt, a fun fact sheet, and a simple butterfly craft to do at home.

Disclaimer(s)

It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Poetry Month Take-Home Kit

All Day 4/6–4/19
Teens, Adults
Capitol Hill Library
Library Branch: Capitol Hill Library
Room: Onsite (Capitol Hill)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading, DIY & Hobbies, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:

Celebrate National Poetry Month with a fun, creative take-home kit that brings poetry into your everyday life. Ages 16+. While supplies last.

Disclaimer(s)

Warning: Kit contains small parts that could represent a choking hazard. It is not intended for children under 3. It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Bag.

Be Advised:  This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.

By Attending, you consent:  To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.

For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer

This event is in the "All Ages" group
This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Birds & Bones: Owl Pellet Dissection Take-Home Kit

All Day 4/6–4/20
All Ages, Kids, Teens, Adults
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Onsite (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: All Ages, Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Museums at MLS, Science & STEAM
Event Description:

Owls swallow their prey whole, and their digestive systems separate flesh from bone. Later, they regurgitate compact pellets containing undigested skeleton bones.

This event is in the "All Ages" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Birdwatching Seek & Find

All Day 4/6–4/30
All Ages, Adults
Capitol Hill Library
Library Branch: Capitol Hill Library
Room: Onsite (Capitol Hill)
Age Group: All Ages, Adults
Program Type: Cultural Experiences, Displays & Exhibits, Family Programs
Event Description:

Go on a birdwatching adventure—inside the library! Search high and low to spot hidden Oklahoma birds throughout the building. Follow each QR code that will take you on a journey to learn more about the bird species.

Disclaimer(s)

Be Advised:  This program may be photographed and/or videotaped for publicity purposes.

By Attending, you consent:  To the use of your voice and likeness in future publicity uses that contain content from this event. If you do not wish to be on camera, please let us know.

For more information visit our Photography & Video Disclaimer

This event is in the "All Ages" group

Community Poet-Tree

All Day 4/6–4/30
All Ages
Almonte Library
Library Branch: Almonte Library
Room: Onsite (Almonte)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Displays & Exhibits
Event Description:

Celebrate Poetry Month by adding to our Community Poet-Tree!  Throughout April, Almonte will grow our "Tree of Lanterns" by adding poetry "leaves".  We'll have leaves and examples of poetry throughout the library.

This event is in the "All Ages" group

Poem a Day for National Poetry Month

All Day 4/6–4/30
All Ages
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Onsite (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: All Ages
Program Type: Books & Reading, Cultural Experiences
Event Description:

Visit Ralph Ellison Library for a poem a day during National Poetry Month, featuring different poets, eras, and subjects. You just might find a new favorite!

This event is in the "Kids" group
This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

Skull Detective: Guess Which Animal Skull is Which!

All Day 4/6–4/30
Kids, Teens, Adults
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Onsite (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Displays & Exhibits, Science & STEAM
Event Description:

Come check out the display of 3D printed replicas of various animal skulls at the Ralph Ellison Library! Guess which animal each skull belongs to and bring your answers to a staff member at the desk for a prize!*

*while supplies last

This event is in the "Teens" group
This event is in the "Adults" group

AfternoonTea Take Home Kit

04/06/2026 @ 8:00am–04/30/2026 @ 4:00pm
Teens, Adults
Choctaw Library
Registration Required
Registration will close on April 30, 2026 @ 6:00pm.
Library Branch: Choctaw Library
Room: Onsite (Choctaw)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading, Cultural Experiences, Family Programs, Take-Home Kit
Registration Required
Event Description:

Come Celebrate National Afternoon Tea Month with a teatime take home kit!

Disclaimer(s)

We cannot guarantee that food served at this program has not come into contact with tree nuts, soy, or other allergens. Accordingly, the Library will not be liable for such harm to any individual resulting from such allergens.

Food ingredients in this kit have been repackaged by staff.

We can only guarantee one kit per registration.  Please register individually to ensure that kits are appropriately distributed.  Special notes should not be used for additional registrations.

Thank you for your help!