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Monthly Newsletter
I N T H I S B U L L E T I N
From the Director
The Gift of Reading & Learning
News & Announcements
Agency Stories
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Dear Readers,
This December, I’m excited to share several upcoming events and projects to look forward to as we approach the holidays. December is a season of generosity, and we at ODL take this opportunity to celebrate libraries and their customers for fostering a community of learning throughout the year. To that end, the gift of reading and continued education is the theme that ties this month’s newsletter together.
Also happening this month is the kickoff for Read Across Oklahoma 2025, the much-loved, early-grade literacy event. All Oklahoma schools are invited to apply for a chance to spend a morning at the Oklahoma City Zoo on Thursday, March 27 with Tammi Sauer, author of this year's featured book
Caring For Your Lion.
This month and next, ODL will be presenting state legislators with a budget request for State Fiscal Year 2026. Goals highlighted by the request include resources for State Archives and Records Management as well as State Aid for libraries. We eagerly anticipate working with legislators this coming session, sustaining the highest quality of service to Oklahoma’s libraries and government employees.
Looking for a good book to cozy up with as the days get colder? Check out our list of staff picks for inspiration, or visit your local library!
Happy reading,
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Natalie Currie
Director, State Librarian and Archivist
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The Gift of Reading and Learning
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We have a chance to not only share the joy of reading this year, but also to embrace the gift of learning and engaging in our local communities. To that end, the ODL staff has gathered exciting programs hosted by libraries as well as some of our top book recommendations that will hopefully make your holiday season even brighter.
Upcoming Events
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Chickasha Public Library
"Holiday Bedtime Stories"
This fun event for children and
their families will be held live
at 6pm on Facebook throughout
the month of December. Visit the calendar for more information!
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Miami Public Library
Teen Bowling and Tai Chi Classes
A teen bowling class meets from
5-6pm on Wednesday evenings. For adult library customers, there is Tai Chi every Friday. To learn more, check out Miami library's calendar.
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Pioneer Library in Noble
Stargazing for Beginners
Sign up for an introduction to stargazing and using telescopes on December 2. Registration is required. Go to their calendar to sign up today!
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Stillwater Public Library
Sci-Fi Film Club
Every third Thursday, join Sci-Fi Film Club for new science fiction films.
To see what series will be featured in December, visit the events calendar.
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ODL Staff Picks
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Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (Middle-grade) Recommended by Youth Services Officer
"A young girl with cerebral palsy is paralyzed from the neck down. She cannot speak, but has wonderful parents who care for her, teach her, and give her learning opportunities. I believe everyone should read this book. It is that powerful and eye-opening."
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Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick R. Keefe (Non-fiction)
Recommended by State Data Coordinator
"This book takes you inside the story of the uprisings, murders, and finally, a London bombing as it follows the paths of IRA members. It reads more like a thriller than a true crime novel—and, if reading it isn't enough, you can catch the TV series out now on Hulu."
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The Mistborn Series by Brandon Sanderson (Fantasy) Recommended by Library Operations Consultant
"The Mistborn series is a masterful blend of intricate world-building, a unique and well-defined magic system, and compelling characters. It’s perfect for readers who love epic fantasy with clever twists,
high-stakes conflicts, and deep themes of power, trust, and rebellion."
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Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
(Historical Fiction)
Recommended by Grants Specialist
"Based upon the real-life adoption scandal, Lisa Wingate’s riveting, wrenching, and ultimately uplifting tale reminds us how, even though the paths we take can lead to many places, the heart never forgets where we belong... I couldn’t stop thinking about it for days after I finished it."
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The Last Sin Eater by Francine Rivers
(Christian Fiction)
Recommended by Administrative Programs Officer
"This is a beautifully written book that gives a glimpse into 1850s Appalachia through the eyes of a young girl looking for truth and hope."
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The Midnight Library by Matt Haig (Fiction)
Recommended by Online Media Specialist
"The Midnight Library by Matt Haig explores the infinite possibilities of life. The main character, Nora Seed, discovers a mysterious library between life and death, where each book reveals a different direction her life could have taken. As she navigates these alternate paths, she learns profound truths about happiness and meaning, all while fighting to save
both the library and herself."
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News & Announcements
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Mark your calendars because we are gearing up for Read Across Oklahoma 2025! This celebration of reading and early literacy will take place at the Oklahoma City Zoo on March 27, 2025. The theme, "Reading Safari," is inspired by Oklahoma author Tammi Sauer's book Caring For Your Lion. In this best-seller,
a little boy orders a kitten but finds that he's been given a lion instead. A series of hilarious and heartwarming events unfold.
Ready to join the "Reading Safari?" Schools across the state are invited to apply to Read Across Oklahoma, but a limited number of Kindergarten through 2nd grade classes will be invited to attend the event. As special guests, these classes will receive paid admission to the zoo where the first 1,500 kids will receive a free book, listen to the author read her book, and visit the animal exhibits.
Additionally, each classroom's students will receive a copy of Caring For Your Lion prior to the event so they are familiar with the story. All this is made possible thanks to the generosity of many private and public sponsors including Tinker Federal Credit Union, Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Curious about volunteering or donating to support the event? Contact Connie Armstrong with the Oklahoma Center for the Book. Schools interested in sending classes to attend can learn more about the event by visiting ODL's Read Across Oklahoma webpage or apply before January 17 by filling out the form.
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Agency Stories
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Celebrating 29 Years of the
Krueger Charitable Foundation
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Carol’s love of all things literary began when she was young.
She recalls shopping at Marshall Fields, the store where her father worked, and getting to visit the children’s book department to
choose a story before they left.
These experiences sparked a lifelong passion for books and learning, which she would later share with her own children and, through the foundation, with countless others.
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Reading from a young age can shape a child’s future by building crucial confidence and curiosity. As Carol puts it, “The statistics seem to be that when somebody is given books in pre-school and kindergarten, they will do better in elementary school and high school.” The Krueger Foundation is all about giving children that agency, as proven by its partnership with organizations like Tulsa City-County Library, the WGBH Educational Foundation, and the Oklahoma Literacy Coalition.
According to the Tulsa Library Trust, the Krueger Read and Grow program distributes more than 1,400 books to lower income students in Tulsa County over 8 months. This year, children from 20 schools will benefit from the Krueger Charitable Foundation’s funding. The foundation also partners with another donor to support ODL's My First Library project, an initiative that promotes literacy skills and families reading together.
When asked about these projects, Carol began by sharing that each of her children and grandchildren received books as their first gifts. This Krueger family tradition drives their charitable focus and legacy. Twenty-nine years
have passed since the foundation began, and in that time, generations of Oklahomans have grown up on books provided through the Kruegers’ generosity.
“Once you can read, you know you can do anything. Reading gets you started, and you can build on it. It gets you thinking. I think those early books are what spur people on.” — Carol Krueger
Carol and Bill Krueger’s vision will continue to ensure that children from lower income families have the same opportunity to find more confidence, curiosity, and opportunity through reading. ODL would like to thank Carol, not only for
her years of advocacy, but also for taking the time to share her stories with us.
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Share Your Story with ODL
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Sharing ODL customer stories is a powerful advocacy tool for securing support from state and federal government. These narratives highlight the tangible impact archives and libraries have on communities, showcasing how they foster literacy, provide access to information, and support lifelong learning. By humanizing the data and statistics with real-world examples, these stories can effectively convey the value of library services and archives and records management, inspiring lawmakers to allocate funding and create policies that support and enhance these programs. Click the button below to share your story so we can advocate on behalf of your organization.
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