Oklahoma Department of Libraries: working to preserve history, expand knowledge, and enrich lives

Your ODL April Newsletter

Oklahoma Department of Libraries sent this bulletin at 04/01/2025 11:17 AM CDT

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April 1, 2025

Monthly Newsletter

I N T H I S B U L L E T I N

From the Director

National Library Week Events

News & Announcements

Dear Readers,

Welcome to the April edition of our newsletter! As we step into spring, ODL continues to advocate for the success and growth of library services. I’d like to start by addressing some recent news impacting libraries.

On Friday, March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order directing multiple federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), to scale back functions beyond their statutory requirements and minimize resources for essential operations. Additionally, in March, Keith E. Sonderling, the deputy secretary of labor, was appointed as the new acting director of IMLS. In a statement, Sonderling expressed his honor in leading the organization "in its mission to advance, support, and empower America’s museums and libraries, which stand as cornerstones of learning and culture in our society.” I fully agree—libraries are not just centers of learning; they are essential pillars of democracy, ensuring access to information and fostering informed communities. Given these recent federal developments, I want to help clarify what these changes may mean for Oklahoma libraries.

The IMLS Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) and the Grants to States program provide statutory federal funding to the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL). At this time, there are no known changes or reductions expected to impact the federal funding ODL receives to support access to information, strengthen libraries, and build thriving communities. While ODL’s federal funding remains unchanged for now, uncertainty persists regarding the long-term outlook for IMLS grant projects. We are closely monitoring these developments and will continue to provide updates as we learn more. Transparency is a fundamental principle of library services, and we remain committed to keeping you informed every step of the way.

With this uncertainty, it is more important than ever to highlight the essential role libraries play in our communities. Federal funding remains critical to sustaining core library services, particularly for small and rural libraries that depend on these resources. We encourage you to share your library stories with us—whether it’s about an impactful program, a life-changing service, or the ways libraries support education and workforce development. These stories help demonstrate the real value of libraries to decision-makers.

This discussion feels especially timely as we prepare to celebrate National Library Week, April 6–12. Now is the time to amplify the voices of library supporters and showcase the vital programs happening across the state. Join ODL in celebrating by downloading and sharing our specially designed social media graphics to spread the word.

Happy learning,

Natalie

Natalie Currie

Director, State Librarian and Archivist

National Library Week

National Library Week is an annual celebration of all the librarians and staff who make libraries the vital gathering places that they are. Oklahomans visited their local libraries nearly nine million times in 2024 alone! What's the draw? The American Library Association answers that question in their theme Drawn to the Library for this year's celebration: "From young families stopping in for play and storytime, to students sketching out their next creative project in a makerspace, to seniors seeking tech help and everyone in between, libraries of all kinds help us connect the dots from one part of our journey to the next."

Local communities gather and grow at their libraries. These vital hubs set Oklahomans up for success by providing resources and programs that enrich lives. Check out your library's event calendar or take a look at these exciting activities coming soon to locations across the state. There's something for everyone at the library!

Upcoming Events


Flower Pressing Activity \| April 8, 4:30-5:30 p.m. Perry Carnegie Public Library Perry Carnegie Public Library has partnered with OSU Extension to offer this artistic program for adults interested in learning how to preserve flowers for crafts and keepsakes. Find out more here!		Cyber Squad \| April 9, 4-5 p.m. McAlester Public Library Children, tweens, and teens are invited to unlock their coding potential with McAlester Library's Cyber Squad! This program makes coding interactive with robots, games, and fun team challenges. To sign-up, visit this events page.

Money Habitudes Class \| April 8, 10-11 a.m. Woodward Public Library Discover your money habits at Woodward Public Library! Build your financial knowledge and confidence with help from an OSU Extension expert. Call 580-254-8544 to reserve a space or check out the events calendar for more information!		3D Printing Class \| April 19, 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Love County Public Library Ever wondered how 3D printing works? Come learn the basics of 3D printing with Love County Library and their new 3D printer. This class takes place monthly. All ages are welcome! Visit the library's webpage and call or email to register.

News & Announcements

Meet Our Finalists For

Oklahoma Book Awards 2025

We are delighted to announce the list of finalists for Oklahoma's 36th Annual Book Awards ceremony which will be held on Friday evening, May 16. This special night will take place at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, where we will celebrate the state's literary heritage and honor creatives from various disciplines for their exceptional works produced in 2024.

Guests can look forward to a book signing, dinner, and engaging speakers like MIke Wimmer, the artist receiving the prestigious Arrell Gibson Lifetime Achievement Award for a career that spans everything from book covers to portraiture. Tickets and sponsorships for the event are going fast, so take this chance to meet best-selling Oklahoma authors! Email info@libraries.ok.gov or call (405) 522-3562 to learn more.

Now, it's time to unveil the finalists in categories ranging from fiction, non-fiction, poetry, and children/young adult genres to book design, illustration, and more. Among these Oklahoma creatives are nationally recognized names and promising new voices. Curious who made the list? Visit the 2025 Oklahoma Book Awards webpage!

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries and the Oklahoma Center for the Book (OCB) has partnered with the non-profit Friends of the Oklahoma Center for the Book for more than 30 years to co-sponsor the annual Oklahoma Book Awards. Housed within ODL, the Center promotes Oklahoma authors, celebrates the state’s literary heritage, and encourages reading for pleasure.

My Favorite Book Writing

Contest Winners Announced

Spring is in full swing, and so are some of the Center for the Book's most anticipated events—including the 2024-2025 statewide student writing contest, My Favorite Book! As always, this year's letters were inspiring and heartfelt, showcasing the talent and passion of Oklahoma's students. We can’t wait to celebrate their work at the awards ceremony in May at the State Capitol.

A heartfelt thank you to all the students who participated and to the parents and teachers who support and encourage them. We’re honored to partner with educators and caregivers in fostering a love of reading through this program.

For a full list of the winners, visit the program website.

Agency Stories


	Making Learning Opportunities and the Arts Accessible for Oklahomans with Disabilities As Recreational Activities Coordinator for EOC Tech Adult Day Services, Mary Thoma oversees outings and events for adults with disabilities. She reached out to share how local libraries have become community hubs for this demographic of Oklahomans which is often underserved. Thoma led field trips to the library for a weekly Noon Tunes event where she and her clients enjoyed live music together. Obstacles like navigating downtown as a large group never stopped them from attending. "We enjoyed every minute of it!" she recalls. In the midst of a large metropolitan area, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Public Library strives to make life-enriching experiences accessible: live music, visual arts, and more. This goal is reflected in a variety of one-time or ongoing programs. EOC Tech's Adult Services participants continue to engage with library programming, even as the concept behind Noon Tunes has evolved over time. Downtown Public Library now hosts a similar program—Neighborhood Arts—at no cost to guests, offering everything from improv and dance performances to opera and local bands. Adults with disabilities from EOC Tech attend regularly. They also take part in Summer Reading. Staff members modify aspects of the program to ensure that everyone can benefit from the learning opportunity, because some participants have independent reading limitations. According to the Metropolitan Library System, "Summer Reading is a community tradition that promotes reading for fun and lifelong enrichment for all ages." Oklahoma’s Statewide Summer Reading Program is sponsored by local libraries, community partners, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, and the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Prizes and badges celebrate the time readers spend with books—whether that looks like listening to a story or turning the pages themselves. "We are thankful for the relationships and friendships cultivated via the Metropolitan Library System," Thoma says on behalf of the EOC Tech Center and her clients. Many libraries across the state provide opportunities to connect for Oklahomans of varying abilities. These events expand access to recreational reading, the arts, and the larger metro community. Mary Thoma considers the engaging programs offered at Downtown Public Library and other system branches to be an important staple that her clients enjoy.

Share Your Story with ODL

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. Curious about what we've featured in the past? Check out our new Agency Stories page. Click the button below to share your story so we can advocate on behalf of your organization.