Contact Information
2000 NE 23rd Street
Oklahoma City, OK
73111
Phone: (405) 424-1437
About Ralph Ellison Library
The Ralph Ellison Library opened in its current location in 1975. Named in honor of Oklahoma City native and acclaimed author Ralph Ellison, this library is in one of Oklahoma City’s historically African-American neighborhoods yet serves a diverse group of residents. Customers rely on the library to find basic information about voting, taxes, tutoring, government assistance, and a variety of other fundamental needs. In addition, the library serves a dynamic population of motivated customers ranging from school-age children to young adults and elders in the community. The Library serves as an essential hub for services, research, programs and events linking members of the larger community to one another.
Book drop location: To the right of entrance.
Public transit:
- EMBARK bus routes 002 (click here for route map) and 022 (click here for route map)
- Closest bus stop: N Martin Luther King Ave @ NE 23rd St (2-minute walk to library from stop)
Services
- Public use computers with 60-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
- Chromebooks with web cams available on a first-come, first-served basis for in-library use only
- Self-serve holds shelf and a self-check machine
- Catalog computers dedicated to accessing 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
- Meeting rooms - Cost (reservations required)
- Black History Collection
Spaces
Special Collections
Hours of Operation
Please check the top of this page for notices impacting our hours of operation or services offered.
Monday - Thursday: 9am - 9pm
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1 - 6pm
Curbside Hours
Mon-Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm
Upcoming Events
Calling all teens or adults who love reading teen books! Bookish is back and is now available for adults to check out too!
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.
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!
Join the Ralph Ellison Library this August for a fun scavenger hunt! Look for books with specific colors on their covers. Whether you love sports or drawing, there’s a book waiting for you. Plus, you might win a prize*!
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.
This program is designed for children and accompanying adults. Please plan to be in attendance and be engaged with your child for this program.
Spiritually Bold Inc. Presents: A Man with a Plan, the story of Roscoe Dunjee
Come enjoy A Man with a Plan, the story of Roscoe Dunjee, a play brought to you by Spiritually Bold, Inc. Roscoe Dunjee is a famous Oklahoman journalist who founded the Black Dispatch newspaper in 1915.
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.
Come enjoy a relaxing afternoon of painting on mini canvases! Whether you choose to draw inspiration from the ideas provided or let your creativity run wild, the choice is yours. It's all about having fun and expressing yourself!
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.
Come to Ralph Ellison Library and pick up your Tropical Fish Paper Plate Take-Home Kit! 🐠🎨
Perfect for kids — fun, creative, and includes everything you need to make your own colorful tropical fish. While supplies last!
Disclaimer(s)
It is encouraged that an adult supervise children while using this Metropolitan Library System Take & Make Kit.
Bring your own quilting or other project and get a chance to work on it with like-minded people. They'll even offer advice if asked. Be sure to check out a quilting book from our collection!
Join other video game lovers for a fun-filled program full of gaming, group challenges, and other activities. Playing video games with others helps to build skills such as: problem solving, teamwork, spatial reasoning, and communication. Gaming is also a great way to reduce stress and boost your mood! Come meet new friends, explore other worlds, and learn about the many resources your neighborhood library has to offer!
A Social Security expert will discuss what's new with Social Security and ways to prevent fraud. There will be a time to ask general questions.
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.