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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
    • An express computer with 15-minute internet access and printing capabilities
    • Mobile and offsite printing
    • Free Wi-Fi
    • Color copy machine with free outbound faxing (to U.S. numbers only) and scanning capability
    • Chromebooks (available to check out on a first-come, first-served basis)
    • Wi-Fi hotspots (available to check out; holds can be placed in our catalog)

    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 for the Oklahoma City Museum of Art, the Oklahoma History Center, the Museum of Osteology, and the OKC American Banjo Museum that are first-come, first-served
    • Music keyboard available for guest use. Ask staff for assistance.

    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: 1pm - 6pm

Curbside Hours

Sunday-Friday: 1pm - 6pm
Saturday: 1pm - 5pm



Curbside Hours

Monday - Thursday: 9am - 7pm
Friday: 9am - 6pm
Saturday: 1pm - 5pm
Sunday: 1pm - 6pm

Upcoming Events

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Cosplay Take-Home Kit with OKC Rep

All Day 9/27 - 10/8
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: DIY & Hobbies, Live Performances & Entertainment, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:
Join the fun with a cosplay kit to help celebrate OKC Repertory Theater's season opener: The Antelope Party.  In this play, “The Rust Belt Ponies Meet-Up Group for Adult Fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” gather weekly to visit...

Disclaimer(s)

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!

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Adult Basic Education Classes (ABE)

9:30am - 11:30am
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room B (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Continuing Education
Event Description:
Improve your reading and other basic skills in this class made possible by Community Literacy Centers. This class meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:30am.  Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes focus on reading, writing, ma...
This event is in the "Teens" group.

TeenTober: Perler Beads

4:00pm - 5:30pm
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room B (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Teens
Program Type: Arts & Crafts
Event Description:
Teens! Join us in making designs with perler beads! These wax beads are strategically placed on peg boards and melted down by irons (library staff) and can be made into cool key chains and other things! Come by and see what we are making!! ...
This event is in the "Teens" group.
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Society of Urban Poets Learn about Poetry

11:00am - 1:00pm
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room B (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Teens, Adults
Program Type: Books & Reading, Writing
Event Description:
Join the Society of Urban Poets to study and write about the different genres of poetry. It will be a time of poets learning poetry. This week we'll be learning about poet Gwendolyn Brooks.  ...

Library Closed

All Day
Some Branches
Closing
Branches:
Almonte Library, Belle Isle Library, Bethany Library, Capitol Hill Library, Choctaw Library, Del City Library, Downtown Library, Edmond Library, Harrah Library, Jones Library, Luther Library, Midwest City Library, Nicoma Park Library, Northwest Library, Ralph Ellison Library, Service Center, Southern Oaks Library, The Village Library, Warr Acres Library, Wright Library, Off Site, Library Online, All Locations
Description:
Even though the library is closed, you can visit our website to browser our collection, checkout and download eMaterials (eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and TV series), plus use one of our many eResources to research and learn.  ...
This event is in the "Adults" group.

Cosplay Take-Home Kit with OKC Rep

All Day 10/10 - 10/11
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: DIY & Hobbies, Live Performances & Entertainment, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:
Join the fun with a cosplay kit to help celebrate OKC Repertory Theater's season opener: The Antelope Party.  In this play, “The Rust Belt Ponies Meet-Up Group for Adult Fans of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” gather weekly to visit...

Disclaimer(s)

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!

This event is in the "Adults" group.

Adult Basic Education Classes (ABE)

9:30am - 11:30am
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room B (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Continuing Education
Event Description:
Improve your reading and other basic skills in this class made possible by Community Literacy Centers. This class meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 9:30-11:30am.  Adult Basic Education (ABE) classes focus on reading, writing, ma...
This event is in the "Birth-PreK" group.

Early Childhood Take-Home: Bug Costume Masks

All Day 10/11 - 10/15
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Online + Curbside (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Birth-PreK
Program Type: Arts & Crafts, Storytimes, Take-Home Kit
Event Description:
These silly costumes will cause a buzz! The kit will include instructions and foam materials to make a simple bug mask that's comfortable to wear. These bug masks could be a great addition to insect costumes for kids. Choose from a bee, beetle, butte...

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.