Last year, the Department of Oklahoma Emergency Management (OEM) achieved a major milestone by securely destroying 1,212.95 cubic feet of records that had long exceeded their retention requirements, some dating back to the 1990s. The initiative began after the agency’s staff attended our records coordinator training, where they learned about the benefits of the State Records Center, including its low-cost storage fees of just $0.30 per cubic foot. Equipped with this knowledge, OEM took decisive action.

 

By choosing a more cost-effective records destruction vendor and leveraging the Records Center’s services, the agency made annual savings of over $2,300. Beyond the financial impact, this project highlights the importance of proactive records management, reducing unnecessary costs, ensuring compliance, and freeing up resources for more critical needs.

 

OEM’s success story demonstrates how training, efficient planning, and collaboration with ODL Records Management staff can modernize records management practices while saving money and ensuring compliance with state records policies.

 

Visit the ODL Archives and Records Management webpage to learn more about these amazing resources!

Kindergarten teachers, apply by January 16 for a chance to bring your students to Read Across Oklahoma at the Oklahoma City Zoo on March 26! For this year's special theme—"America250: Sharing America’s Stories," students will read Will Rogers and His Great Presidential Pals with author Bart Taylor and visit the animal exhibits.

 

As special guests, a limited number of classes will receive paid admission to the Zoo and copies of this year’s book prior to the event. Check out fun promo materials on our webpage. Fill out an application form to get started!

 

    

 

This event is possible thanks to the generosity of public and private sponsors.

 

 

Health Literacy Grant

 

 

 

 

Citizenship and Civic Engagement Grant

 

 

Starting January 7, Brainfuse is offering a series of free workshops to help students study for the SAT. Classes will be hosted live on Zoom and led by Brian Stewart, author of Barron's ACT, SAT, and PSAT prep books. 

 

These one-hour sessions include strategies for reading comprehension, grammar, math, and more! Attendance is limited, so encourage students to register early via Zoom. Recordings will be available afterwards on the Brainfuse platform. 

 

Let's connect more schools and library customers with this great resource. To help Oklahoma students reach their test score goals, download the promotional toolkit today and spread the word.

 

 

Schools also have an opportunity to share their local library's HelpNow link on their website! For access to this tutoring resource or workshop questions, email adrienne.butler@libraries.ok.gov.