4 minute read
Celebrate National Library Week: Drawn to the Library
By Zoe Elrod, Internal Communications Coordinator
National Library Week, April 6–12, is the perfect time to explore everything the Metropolitan Library System has to offer. From books and research tools to creative workshops and community events, libraries are hubs of learning, connection and inspiration. Haven’t signed up for a card yet? Now’s the time! Now is also the time to encourage friends and family to discover the library’s free resources and see what they’ve been missing.
As Albert Einstein said, “The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.”
Drew and Kathy Mehner made it their 2024 goal to try new things and embrace creativity, attending free programs at MLS branches like yoga, needle felting, woodcarving, crocheting, paper quilling clubs, and dance lessons.
“I wanted to be more creative, and, when I explored the library’s programs, I found a wealth of opportunities across the Metro,” Kathy said.
They’ve kept their promise and have loved every minute. One of their favorite ongoing events is “Paint and Sip” at Del City Library, where Kathy, once nervous about painting, found it easy and welcoming. They also enjoyed an “Intro to Sourdough” class at Belle Isle, which they called “lifechanging” for teaching them a valuable skill.
Their library involvement has also inspired them to make the most of available resources—trying new smoothie recipes from cookbooks and experimenting with take-home spice kits from events like Luther Library’s “Spice Chronicles.” For them, learning doesn’t stop at the library doors—it continues at home. Drew encourages others to explore what libraries offer, from reading programs to hands-on workshops.
“The library has a wealth of instructive information, and you’ll discover more about yourself and want to try new things,” he said.
It’s not just creative programs—they’ve been impacted by cultural events too. They recently loved attending the “Crowns Tea” event at Ralph Ellison Library, celebrating church hat traditions in the Black community, and hearing from Michael Korenblit, the son of Holocaust survivors, who returns to MLS libraries in April and May.
“We have had a wonderful time,” Kathy said. “We’ve learned a lot of new skills; we’ve made new friends; we even have a library text group where we share what’s coming up or what we’ve made or done.”
For Kathy, libraries have always been special—she used to take her own children to storytimes at the library, and now she brings her grandkids. This spring break, the Mehners took their grandkids to “Children Reading to Dogs” programs, “Animal Adventures” at Northwest Library and a variety of crafting events and springtime fun, fostering the same lifelong love for libraries.
“Libraries have always been a safe place of discovery and wonder,” Kathy said. “Every day, our lives are touched by the library—through a book we check out or a new skill we learn.”
We’re so thankful for library supporters like the Mehners. Our guests engage in countless ways—whether eagerly awaiting Winter Reading categories, joining book clubs, attending storytimes, buying tickets to Literary Voices®, enrolling little ones in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, or simply checking out books. However you support your library, we appreciate you.
This year’s National Library Week theme, “Drawn to the Library,” celebrates the many ways people engage with libraries—and we can’t wait to share even more reasons to love yours!
The week-long celebration features a self-guided treasure hunt at Ralph Ellison Library, a book redesign competition at Downtown OKC Library reimagining titles like “Twilight” and “Oliver Twist,” and another book cover design activity at Del City Library, this time designing the cover of the book to your own life. Throughout the week, enjoy creative displays, teen events, movie screenings, comic workshops, and arts & crafts—all celebrating the library!
And right in the middle of it all, Jodi Picoult headlines Literary Voices® on April 9 at the Oklahoma Golf and Country Club! Proceeds support Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, providing free books to kids. Get tickets at literaryvoices.org.
And that’s just the beginning! Visit metrolibrary.org/ nationallibraryweek or scan the QR code for the full lineup of events.
