All libraries will close at 6pm on Wednesday, December 31st and will reopen on Friday, Jan. 2.

Cultural Enrichment

Cultural Enrichment Header

Expand Your Horizons

Learn a new language with online Mango, read about the perfect local restaurant with our travel guides, or attend a performance from artists representing different cultures and forms.  Your Library is your key to exploring the world whether you are traveling there or enjoying it here.

Blogs

Keeping Family History Alive

This month as you gather with friends and family (genetic, adopted, and/or chosen) you may swap old stories, look at photos, and remember some of your shared history. While you’re at it, why not take a moment to think about preserving some of that history? ...

Cooking Up Some History

As we begin to gear up for holiday dinners and do our best to make sure our neighbors have food to eat, it's easy enough to get caught up in the here-and-now demands and anxieties. 

(Related content: "Ditch the Potluck Stress" from the November 2025 issue of UMAmi)

But in all of ...

Events

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

Yarn Painting-Take Home Kit

01/02/2026 @ 9:00am–01/14/2026 @ 9:00pm
Kids, Teens, Adults
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, DIY & Hobbies, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:
How does our world shape us....and how do we shape the landscape? Artist Irmgard Geul combines paint and fiber to reveal depth and perspective. The sum is more than the parts.

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.

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

Language Learners Meetup

2:00pm–4:00pm
Teens, Adults
Bethany Library
Cancelled
Library Branch: Bethany Library
Room: Conference Room (Bethany)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Continuing Education, Cultural Experiences, DIY & Hobbies
Event Description:

Multilingual Meetup is a time for those who are learning a language, any language, to practice, learn new methods, and explore resources available to them to help them on their way.

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

MLK Puzzle Activity

All Day 1/5–1/18
All Ages, Adults
Capitol Hill Library
Library Branch: Capitol Hill Library
Room: Onsite (Capitol Hill)
Age Group: All Ages, Adults
Program Type: Community & Civics, Cultural Experiences, Displays & Exhibits
Event Description:

Come put together a puzzle in the library and discover one of Martin Luther King Jr.'s quotes. Pick up some coloring pages or activity sheets while you are here!

 

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

Beadweaving

5:30pm–7:30pm
Teens, Adults
Almonte Library
Library Branch: Almonte Library
Room: Meeting Room (Almonte)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Cultural Experiences
Event Description:

Join us for a creative program series exploring the art of bead weaving.  Using colorful seed beads and simple weaving techniques, you'll create your own one-of-a-kind piece of wearable art.

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

¡Canta Conmigo!

4:00pm–5:00pm
Birth-PreK, Kids
Bethany Library
Library Branch: Bethany Library
Room: Children's Area (Bethany)
Age Group: Birth-PreK, Kids
Program Type: Storytimes
Event Description:

¡Hola! 

Disclaimer(s)

This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program. 

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

AFTER SCHOOL ART HOUR: RePrint, Second Lives for Our Own Materials

4:00pm–5:00pm
Kids, Teens
Ralph Ellison Library
Registration Required
Registration will close on January 6, 2026 @ 9:00pm.
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room B (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Kids, Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Registration Required
Event Description:

Artist Sarah Sullivan Sherrod paints on her own weaving, combining two media to create a new piece. Kids and teens can explore combining two elements at the library.

View More Events

Databases

A B C E F G H I J L M N O P R S T U V W

A to Z Food America

This resource contains more than 2,000 state, regional, and ethnic recipes - including food culture articles - as well as historical and reference articles including an ingredients section. This is the largest food database of its kind focused solely on diverse American cuisine. 

Visit resource website

A to Z Maps Online

Provides access to over 100,000 various types of maps for the U.S., world countries and continents. A to Z Maps Online contains a large number of specialized maps like antique maps, bathymetric and fishing maps, climate change maps, environmental maps, geography and geology maps, Holy Land maps, tree and bird distribution maps, and more. It also contains flags from world countries and international organizations.

Visit resource website

A to Z the USA

This database contains state, county and city information for all U.S. states and territories. It lists facts and statistics about arts and culture, climate and weather, demographics, flags and seals, government and politics, history, maps, photos, and more.

Visit resource website

A to Z World Food

This resource contains 7,000 traditional recipes from 174 countries, along with thousands of ingredient, food culture, and reference articles, making this the largest food database of its kind. 

Visit resource website

A to Z World Travel

Contains travel guides for over 200 world cities. Each guide contains helpful information about a particular city's food and restaurants, climate and weather, embassies/consulates, health and medical services, travel essentials, money and banking, electrical and telecommunication requirements, and more.

Visit resource website

Bibliography of Indigenous Peoples in North America

Contains citations to books, journal articles, magazines, newspapers, and U.S. and Canadian government documents (with coverage going back to the seventeenth century) about the culture, history and life of indigenous peoples in North America. This resource is provided by the Oklahoma Department of Libraries.

Visit resource website

Collections

Hoopla logo - blue

Grass Roots Press - Hoopla

Grass Roots Press is a niche publisher, specializing in resources for adults with limited literacy skills. They have an international reputation for publishing high-quality materials for adult basic education and English language learners. This collection can be accessed through Metro's subscription to Hoopla digital. It can be found independently by searching for "Grass Roots Press" in the publisher field using the Advanced Search function. 

Visit Resource Website
Logo of Metro Library Podcast

Metro Library Podcast

Offering Oklahoma-themed podcasts celebrating Oklahoma arts, culture and history as well as the lives of influential Oklahomans today, the Metro Library Podcast is produced by the Special Collections of the Metropolitan Library System.

Visit Resource Website