All libraries will be closed on Wednesday, 12/24 and Thursday, 12/25.

Ralph Ellison Library

Ralph Ellison Library

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:

 

Services

    Technology

    • 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

    Collection

    • 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

    Spaces

    Special Collections

    • Black History Collection

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

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

DIY Christmas Tree Ornaments Take-Home Kit

12/01/2025 @ 9:00am–12/22/2025 @ 9:00pm
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:

Make your own Christmas tree ornament with this fun take-home kit at Ralph Ellison Library.

Disclaimer(s)

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

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

Make Your Own Candy Take Home Kit

All Day 12/15–12/22
Kids, Teens, Adults
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: DIY & Hobbies, Science & STEAM, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:

Love candy? Love sour candy? Come pick up our candy making kit at the Ralph Ellison Library. In this kit, you are going to be experimenting with Kool-Aid, sugar, and citric acid. Make your candy super sweet or suuuuuper sour!

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.

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

Ginger Bread Ornament Take-Home Kits

All Day 12/17–12/23
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:

Get into the holiday spirit with our Gingerbread Ornament Take-Home Kit! Each kit includes everything you need to decorate your own festive gingerbread ornament from the comfort of home.

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.

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

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

Holiday Q-tip Painting Take-Home Kit

12/17/2025 @ 9:00am–12/23/2025 @ 9:00pm
All Ages, Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens, Adults
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: All Ages, Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, DIY & Hobbies, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:

Paint and cotton swabs are included in this kit. You can use the swab as a brush or dab in each circle to make a pretty holiday picture.

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

Quilting & Crafting

11:00am–2:00pm
Teens, Adults
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room A (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Description:

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!

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

Reading Refuel: Afterschool Snack for Kids

3:30pm–5:00pm
Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room A (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:

Children ages 4-18 are invited to enjoy an afterschool snack/meal from 3:30-5:00 pm at Ralph Ellison Library. 

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.

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

Reading Refuel: Afterschool Snack for Kids

3:30pm–5:00pm
Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room A (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Birth-PreK, Kids, Teens
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:

Children ages 4-18 are invited to enjoy an afterschool snack/meal from 3:30-5:00 pm at Ralph Ellison Library. 

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.

This event is in the "Teens" group

Teen Afternoon

4:30pm–6:00pm
Teens
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room B (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:

It's teen time at the library! Come join in on the fun every other Tuesday while we play video games, board games, be crafty, techy, or just hang out and make new friends! Have an idea for a teen program? We want to hear from you!