Contact Information
300 Park Avenue
Oklahoma City, OK
73102
Phone: (405) 231-8650
About Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library
The four-story Ronald J. Norick (RJN) Downtown Library is located in the Arts District of downtown Oklahoma City. Library service in downtown OKC began in 1901 when the Carnegie Library opened at NW 3rd and Robinson Ave. In 1954, the new Main Library was dedicated at Dean A. McGee Ave and Robinson Ave.
On December 14, 1993, Oklahoma City voters approved a five-year, one-cent increase in the city's sales tax to fund nine building projects for the downtown area (called MAPS) which including a technologically adaptable Downtown Library/Learning Center. The RJN Downtown Library opened to the public on August 17, 2004.
The Downtown Library is 114,130 square feet and includes classrooms, study rooms, conference rooms, a children’s program room, the Route 66 Computer Lab, 46th Star Auditorium, and Friends Event Room. The building has two floors of collections and services, one floor of meeting rooms open to the public, and one floor that houses administrative offices. The Downtown Library also uniquely serves as the library of record for the John Rex Charter school students from pre-K to 8th grade. This state-of-the-art library is a great place for Oklahoma County families.
Book drop locations: Walk-up returns on the west and north sides of the building.
Parking: Parking is available on the street and in nearby public parking garages and lots.
- Street parking is metered.
- Meters are in effect and enforced Monday - Friday from 8am - 6pm, with the exception of major holidays.
- Street parking is free after 6pm Monday-Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.
- The nearest public garage to the library is the Arts Garage at 431 W Main St.
- Guests who check out materials can receive a 1-hour Arts Garage parking voucher at the main circulation desk. Vouchers are also distributed during library-created events to attending guests.
Public transit:
- EMBARK bus routes 009, 012, 016, 040, 13N, RAPID (click here for system map)
- Closest bus stop: N Hudson Ave @ Park Ave (1-minute walk to library from stop)
- NOTE: Nearly all Oklahoma City EMBARK routes stop at the EMBARK Transit Center, which is a 7-minute walk (0.3 miles) from the Downtown Library.
- OKC Streetcar Downtown Loop (click here for route map)
- Closest streetcar stop: N Hudson Ave @ Park Ave (1-minute walk to library from stop)
- MOE/City Care OKC: Route 1 stops at the Downtown Library, Monday-Friday (click here for route map)
- MOE is a free shuttle service that connects its riders with many shelters and essential service agencies.
Services
- Public use computers with 60-minute internet access and printing capabilities
- An express computer with 15-minute internet access and printing capabilities
- Mobile and offsite printing
- Free Wi-Fi
- Express Wi-Fi Hotspots (7-day checkout period), first-come first-served
- Reservable Wi-Fi Hotspots (4-week checkout period)
- Color copy machine with free outbound faxing (to U.S. numbers only) and scanning capability
- Self-serve holds shelf and self-check machines
- Catalog computers dedicated to searching the library's collection
- Library staff who can provide assistance locating information, using print and electronic sources, and provide readers' advisory
- Place and pick up interlibrary loan requests
- Tours and instruction in the use of library resources (by appointment)
- Experience Passes - Free admission to local museums. For more information, click here
Technology
Collection
- Study rooms - Free (reservations required)
- Meeting rooms - Rented for a cost (reservations required)
- Adult changing station available. Please ask staff.
Spaces
- Genealogy Collection
- Holocaust Collection
- Oklahoma Collection
- Topographic maps from the U.S. Geological Survey
- Vertical file, a collection 90 years in the making. Contents include newspaper clippings, meeting and/or annual reports of committees and agencies, flyers and programs, and maps
- Microform collections of newspapers, magazines, and limited numbers of Federal and Oklahoma government publications
Special Collections
Hours of Operation
Please check the top of this page for notices impacting our hours of operation or services offered.
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm
Curbside Hours
Mon-Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm
Upcoming Events
Calling all insect explorers! Want to create and keep a collection of insects at your home? What if you could capture and decorate them yourself?
Art Moves will feature Kerri Shadid and her poetry stand at the Downtown Metropolitan Library on Tuesday, January 27th from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM! Come let Kerri write a custom poem for you to keep!
In the air, water, and even under foot, insects inhabit every domain of our daily lives, performing essential functions that balance our fragile ecosystem on earth.
Join us every Wednesday at 11:00 AM at the Downtown Library for Baby Storytime! Snuggle in with your little one and enjoy a relaxed, joyful time filled with stories, songs, lap bounces, gentle movement, and more.
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.
Explore fun activities after school with a different theme every month. This month, join us for crafts and activities all about penguins!
Registration is encouraged but NOT required.
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.
A live musical performance hosted in coordination with the Oklahoma Underground Music Archive project, part of the Special Collections and Research Department in the Metropolitan Library System.
Disclaimer(s)
The library makes every effort to ensure our programs can be enjoyed by all. If you have any concerns about accessibility or need to request specific accommodations, please contact the library.
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