Join our team!

Visit jobs.metrolibrary.org for a list of our current openings.

Metro Grows

About Metro Grows

Welcome to our first Library of Things collection - gardening tools!

Beginning gardener looking to plant some vegetables for the first time this spring? Advanced gardener who needs to upgrade their beds for the upcoming season? This brand-new program is perfect for any and all gardeners!

Metro Grows kicks off this spring thanks to a health literacy grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Institute of Museum and Library Studies. The funding brings the first collection to the "Library of Things" with various tools available for check out. Additional gardening workshops and events will be held to allow guests to learn how to use the tools and even raise their own backyard chickens!

Give us a call at 405-231-8650 or visit any of the eight (8) locations below to learn more and check out a set of gardening tools today!

  • Almonte Library
  • Belle Isle Library
  • Capitol Hill Library
  • Downtown Library
  • Ralph Ellison Library
  • Southern Oaks Library
  • The Village Library
  • Warr Acres Library

A huge thank you goes out to Elia Woods with CommonWealth Urban Farms and Julia Laughlin with Oklahoma State University Extension for their vast tool knowledge and support in helping us select and fine tune our tool offerings. Another huge thank you goes out to LaTasha Timberlake with Lillian Timber Farms, Gabrielle Reyes with Black Soil Urban Farm, and Crystal Walker, the Compost Fairy, for creating demonstration videos for all our new tools!

Events

Spring Gardening for Beginners

March 28, 2023
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Almonte Library
Registration
Library Branch: Almonte Library
Room: Programming Room A (Almonte)
Age Group: All Ages, Teens, Adults
Program Type: DIY & Hobbies, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 0
Event Description:
This course will offer you the basics of how to create a garden in your space; whether you have a large home, apartment or a shared space, you can garden! You will learn how to determine the needs of your soil, how to prepare the soil through compost...

Herb Gardening for Beginners

April 6, 2023
10:00am - 11:00am
Downtown Library
Registration
Library Branch: Downtown Library
Room: Friends Room (Downtown)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 5
Event Description:
This course will offer you the basics of how to create an herb garden using different growing methods such as hydroponics, containers, raised beds, and growing from cuttings. You will learn how to prepare each space to begin your herb garden, learn a...

Backyard Composting and Spring Gardening

April 7, 2023
10:00am - 11:30am
Southern Oaks Library
Registration
Library Branch: Southern Oaks Library
Room: Meeting Room A (Southern Oaks)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: DIY & Hobbies, Health & Wellness
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 12
Event Description:
Get ready for spring gardening by preparing a good compost to bolster garden and flower bed soil. Composting is also a great way to recycle yard trimming and grass clippings, which are high in nutrient content. These nutrients can be beneficial to so...

Urban Chickens 101

April 7, 2023
3:00pm - 5:00pm
Edmond Library
Registration
Library Branch: Edmond Library
Room: Meeting Room AB (Edmond)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Community & Civics, Continuing Education, DIY & Hobbies
Registration Required
Seats Remaining: 21
Event Description:
Hatching a plan to keep backyard chickens? No need to brood over it. Whether you are interested in reducing your grocery bill, concerned about the quality of your food, or just interested in a unique pet keeping backyard chickens is growing in popula...

Herb Gardening for Beginners

April 11, 2023
6:00pm - 7:00pm
Ralph Ellison Library
Library Branch: Ralph Ellison Library
Room: Meeting Room A (Ralph Ellison)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:
This course will offer you the basics of how to create an herb garden using different growing methods such as hydroponics, containers, raised beds, and growing from cuttings. You will learn how to prepare each space to begin your herb garden, learn a...

Herb Gardening for Beginners

April 15, 2023
10:00am - 11:00am
Belle Isle Library
Library Branch: Belle Isle Library
Room: Programming Room (Belle Isle)
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Health & Wellness
Event Description:
This course will offer you the basics of how to create an herb garden using different growing methods such as hydroponics, containers, raised beds, and growing from cuttings. You will learn how to prepare each space to begin your herb garden, learn a...
View More Events

TOOLS AVAILABLE FOR CHECKOUT

Hand Tool Set

HAND TOOL SET
Broad Fork

BROAD FORK
Digging Shovel

DIGGING SHOVEL
Garden Hoe

GARDEN HOE
Garden Rake

GARDEN RAKE
Garden Spade

GARDEN SPADE

LOPPERS
Spading Fork

SPADING FORK

How-To Tool Video

Library Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

A Library of Things is a collection of items for loan that expands the boundaries of traditionally defined library materials. It supports the "sharing economy" and the city's sustainability efforts, as guests sharing items means less waste. The collection also offers an opportunity to "try before you buy," to save money and test out something you might not have come across otherwise.

You must return the tools in person at a service desk at the library branch from which you borrowed it.

We will assess the lending of tools at our eight designated library branches starting in August 2023 and adapt the lending program as needed.

Yes, each library branch has the same tools available.

The checkout time is three (3) weeks.

Tools cannot be placed on hold. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis only.

Tools are non-renewable. However, if you return tools to the library and there are other tools available to check out, staff can check your tools in and back out to you for another three (3) weeks.

Borrowed tools do not accrue late fines, but you are strongly encouraged to return these items in on time for others to enjoy!

You will not be responsible for damaged tools as we realize they are meant to be used and will experience wear and tear. We do ask that you treat the tools with care and if damage occurs, please let staff know when you return the tools.

You can download the Tool Care and Safety Tips sheet by clicking here.

If you lose a tool or do not return it, you will be charged the full replacement cost of the tool.

Yes, you can check out one of each tool available, at the same time.