Ralph Ellison Library - Metropolitan Library System

Ralph Ellison Library, is a medium sized library within the larger Metropolitan Library System (MLS). Our foot traffic is among the largest within the MLS. We are just east of the Oklahoma State Capitol complex and just north of the Oklahoma University Health Science Center, situated in an historic Black community. Our library lies at the heart of a vibrant community that loves its library. On any given day you will find our regular patrons sitting in the great chairs overlooking the street reading the local paper; counselors meeting with their clients; entrepreneurs drafting business plans on their laptops and artists collaborating on their creative projects. Our program rooms are open once again, and we have hosted virtual programming. Programs like tai chi, an adult literacy program, an Urban Poet Group, a Creative Writing Group and teen and youth oriented events are scheduled for 2024-2025. A steady stream of children arrive after school each day to socialize and study. Intergenerational programs include a family art and story time program and Children Reading to Dogs. The 30 public access computers are always in full use. During the summer, we offer area youth a mid-day meal Monday through Friday in partnership with the Oklahoma Regional Food Bank. Throughout the year we also offer multiple STEAM programs to round out our year-round enrichment activities for children and teens. The children's area is welcoming, and toys focused on key childhood development skills are always in rotation. Children can choose from a variety of activities to learn and grow. We also participate in several huge community events each year--highlights include Juneteenth, Back-to-School kickoff events, and a month-long celebration of Black History in February filled with live performances, genealogy workshops, take-home kits and speakers. Our summer and winter reading programs offer an opportunity for area readers to better engage with Ralph Ellison, and teens are able to volunteer to give back to the library.