Your ODL July Newsletter

Oklahoma Department of Libraries sent this bulletin at 07/01/2026 10:00 AM CDT

 

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July 1, 2026

 

Monthly Newsletter

 

I N   T H I S   B U L L E T I N

 

From the Director

Saying Goodbye to the Summer Slide

Agency Stories

 

From the Director - July 26
 

Dear Readers,

 

America's 250th birthday is almost here! Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, we've been celebrating Oklahoma communities by highlighting moments and people that shaped them. This holiday is a great time to reflect, spend time with family, and enjoy the fireworks.

 

I want to thank archivists, librarians and history-keepers for ensuring we can all learn from our shared past. Whether about library founder Judith Ann Horton, craftsman Enrico Liva, or celebrity Will Rogers, these stories are part of what makes America special.

 

The party continues with a reading challenge from Second Lady Usha Vance and other thrilling activities. Keep an eye out for the Moments that Made US exhibit, coming soon to select libraries near you. Jump into a Summer Reading challenge or attend a class. The season is flying by, but there is still so much to explore. Keep scrolling to learn more. 

 

Happy Learning,

 

  
 

  Natalie

Natalie Currie 

Executive Director, State Librarian and Archivist 

Summer Highlights

Summer Highlights header: Libraries combat the summer slide with exciting programs like these.
 

 

  

During our America250: Telling America’s Stories celebration, author Bart Taylor is bringing Will Rogers and His Great Presidential Pals to life with reading and rope tricks at select libraries. Click the button to learn more about this program and find out where the next visit will be!

 

  

Libraries build a better future for kids across the country with Summer Reading—and Second Lady Usha Vance is on the same page. For this challenge, children from grades K-8 are invited to choose 12 books to read by September 4 for prizes plus a chance to

visit Washington, D.C.

 

  

You're invited to Unearth a Story. Start today! Dinosaur-themed adventures make learning fun through books, activities, and exciting programs for all ages. Click the button to find your local library.

 

The statewide Summer Reading Program is sponsored by libraries, IMLS, and ODL, featuring resources from the CSLP.

 

  

 
Oklahoma State Capitol Model - Created by the Livas

 

 Archives Deep Dive: the Family Behind the State Capitol Model

Justin Van Deursen is working on the biography of Enrico Liva—an ancestor who left his mark on architecture nationwide. From the Chrysler Building and the Lincoln Memorial to Oklahoma’s own State Capitol, Enrico's breath-taking legacy as a craftsman can be found across the country.

 

For one stop on his research journey, Justin connected with ODL State Archives Manager Alyssa. Together, they explored his great grand uncle's time in our state. Alyssa pulled original photos of the State Capitol's plaster model as well as payment documents for Enrico, his brother Giovanni, and their father, Giusto. Justin was amazed to get his first glimpse at their wages.

 

 

Raised in a family of Italian artisans, Enrico moved to New York in 1904 and started out blasting subway tunnels. He soon became as sought-after in the states as the Livas had been internationally, turning down projects like U.S. Senate chamber panels to stay close to family. Ahead of America250, our state archivists have been helping researchers like Justin uncover family history and highlight unsung parts of the nation's past.

 

Without talented minds and hands like those of the Livas, America might tell a very different architectural story. Enrico and other stoneworkers helped buildings, as Justin puts it, become "statements and interact visually with the public." Explore the State Digital Collections to find more stories about people who shaped the state.

 

 

Left: Giusto Liva poses with sculpted figures. Right: Enrico with his son, Louis, who followed in his professional footsteps.

 

Share Your Story with ODL

Sharing ODL customer stories highlights the tangible impact archives and libraries have on communities, showcasing how they foster literacy, provide access to information, and support lifelong learning. By sharing real-world examples next to data and statistics, these highlights tell the larger story of how individuals and their communities thrive when connected with library or research services. Curious about what we've featured in the past? Check out our new Agency Stories page. Click the button below to share your story!

 

  
 

 

 

  

 

 

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