Libraries are an evolving institution where we strive to share information, and the methods for sharing have changed over time. The University of Tulsa is going to be 132 years old this year (2026) .  When McFarlin Library first opened its doors in 1930, patrons used a card catalog to locate books and other materials from the stacks. Though McFarlin still has physical materials, we are reaching a point where the patron base may not be aware of the history of how librarians used to retrieve material. I wanted a way to show the history of university librarianship.

Card catalogs were familiar to generations of library patrons.

In finding a way to reflect on the history of TU’s main library, I developed the idea of building a librarian office diorama. This idea started with clearing a storage room in the stacks of McFarlin so it could be used as a diorama space. I then rehomed old library card catalogs that were being stored in an empty office. Special Collections has a collection of photos featuring historic interior photos of the library which I was able to use as inspiration.

When was the last time you "dialed" a phone number?

Though the card catalogs have wonderful visual impact, I also looked for small décor items that would give the space a true office feel. I was happy to learn that my coworkers wanted to step in and help with this portion. I started with some old library stamps found in storage, and then a coworker donated an old Corona typewriter and a rotary phone for the diorama. The Special Collections archivist printed out a 1920s map of downtown Tulsa to hang on the wall. The Associate Dean printed two photographs of the library’s interior to show the old library space. The only items we had to purchase were some frames for photographs and map, and a miniature globe.

Photo of the McFarlin Library Circulation Desk, ca. 1950s.

The TU facilities team was also a huge help, cleaning up the space and repainting the wall. They also brought down the card catalog and hung the map up on the wall. The final pieces that filled out the room were a desk and chair I found in storage to fit the space. Then came the fun part – staging the area to look like a librarian’s office. Using all the props I had collected from around the university and from coworkers, I was able to reinvent this area of the library to tell a story about the institution. Though the visual elements of the space were great, I also wanted an educational component. I included a small sign with a QR code that links the patron to a website of McFarlin Library history. Overall, I see this space as not only a time capsule of the library but also a mirror on the antiquity of librarianship.

Rubber stamps — a heavily used library tool.

The librarian diorama reflects the history of McFarlin library through actual items used while serving our patron base. In addition, the diorama acts as a passive program helping patrons understand the methods used before technological advances such as electronic databases. I felt this was an interactive way for the students to engage with the history of the university. It also is a way to preserve and showcase historical items, telling the story of the library.

Hannah Gibbs stands next to the McFarlin Library Historical Diorama

This was our first summer for our new book bus! We took the Read, Play, Talk Book Bus to area parks in our community and had a great time! Each child that came out had the opportunity to read books on the bus, play games with their family and then take home 2 free books.

Kids Playing Giant Connect Four

The purpose of the book bus is to make sure students in our community have access to books during the summer months. Many families followed us to each park throughout the summer!

Next summer we will add more locations to our schedule and help get good quality literature into the hands of children in our community. We are so excited to have our books bus, it's truly a dream come true!

During his visit, Congressman Cole explored the library’s Maker Space Lab, which features laser cutters, podcasting equipment, virtual reality glasses, digital art tablets, and more. The Maker Space Lab was designed to foster creativity, collaboration, and hands-on learning for people of all ages.

From left to right: SOLS Associate Director Alyson Blankenship, Congressman Tom Cole, Davis Branch Manager Jonathan Edwards, and Executive Director Gail Oehler

Executive Director Gail Oehler and Associate Director Alyson Blankenship shared the ways in which federal support through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) has been transformative for rural libraries across southern Oklahoma. Health Literacy, Technology, summer reading initiatives, and database resources like EBSCO and Brainfuse are just a few of the many resources IMLS funds for SOLS and other libraries across Oklahoma.

Branch Manager Jonathan Edwards demonstrated the various technologies available in the Maker Space Lab that patrons can utilize. He then led Cole around the library, pointing out private computer spaces, teen and youth areas, a meeting room for small groups, and a large meeting room with a kitchen for civic meetings and social gatherings in the library. All services are free with a library card.

A highlight of the visit came when Executive Director Gail Oehler presented Congressman Cole with 3D-printed replicas of downtown Oklahoma City and Washington, D.C. Congressman Cole was delighted to receive the models, pointing out the location of his office on Capitol Hill.

“Federal IMLS funding is essential for rural libraries like ours,” said Oehler. “It allows us to expand access to technology, health literacy, summer reading, and lifelong learning resources that directly impact the quality of life for the communities we serve. We were honored to share with Congressman Cole the significant role these resources play in strengthening southern Oklahoma.”

The visit underscored the importance of continued investment in rural libraries and the positive impact such funding has on education, community engagement, and economic growth across the region.

Michael Korenblit speaks at Belle Isle Library

Throughout April and May, Korenblit led four programs at Southern Oaks, Northwest, Belle Isle, and Downtown libraries, drawing standing-room-only crowds and stirring powerful audience engagement. Each presentation transported attendees to Hrubieszow, Poland in the late 1930s and ’40s, where Korenblit’s parents were torn apart by the Nazi regime and miraculously reunited after the war. Their journey from occupied Poland to eventual resettlement in Ponca City, Oklahoma, became not only a testament to survival but a foundation for Korenblit’s lifelong work in human rights education.

“It is so important that people study the Holocaust because it's got so many lessons dealing with the world around us today,” Korenblit told the library leading up to the event. “Whether it's dealing with bullying in schools and businesses or issues of genocide, even how we treat each other as human beings.”

Audiences were visibly moved by what Korenblit refers to as the “three miracles” of his family’s story: the survival of his parents through separate camps, their post-war reunion, and the discovery, nearly four decades later, that his mother’s brother had also survived, living in England after the family had presumed him lost.

At the Belle Isle Library during a completely packed event with 95 attendees, an audience member even revealed that she was one of the young girls present at the 1958 Katz Drugstore sit-in along with Clara Luper, starting a larger conversation about the history of Civil Rights in America and its relation to the persecution of Jewish people during the Holocaust and through history.

In addition to the speaking series, the library system hosted the Americans and the Holocaust traveling exhibit and circulated the Holocaust Resource Collection to four different branches. Typically housed at the Downtown OKC Library, the collection features materials for all ages and explores how Americans responded to Nazi persecution.

“I think it's absolutely imperative that we have that resource, and that people know about the books they can go and read dealing with the Holocaust, with all kinds of books from fiction for kids to nonfiction for adults.” Korenblit said about the Holocaust Resource Collection.

By amplifying personal narratives like that of the Korenblit family, the Metropolitan Library System helped foster empathy, awareness, and a deeper understanding of the relevance of Holocaust history in today’s world with these events.

The library system extends its deepest gratitude to Michael Korenblit, the Respect Diversity Foundation, the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum, and our engaged Oklahoma communities for making this series so impactful.

As my term as President of the Oklahoma Library Association draws to a close, I want to take a moment to thank each of you for the privilege of serving this extraordinary organization. It has been an honor to work alongside such a passionate, dedicated, and resilient community of library professionals.

This past year, under the theme “Standing Together…Moving Forward,” we celebrated what unites us and built momentum for the future. From our successful annual conference to statewide initiatives in advocacy and professional development, your engagement and support have been the heartbeat of our progress.

This year also brought personal heartbreak, as I experienced the devastating loss of my oldest daughter in October. During that incredibly difficult time, I was deeply moved by the outpouring of compassion and support shown by so many of you. Your kindness—through messages, cards, moments of silence, and simply being present—carried me in ways I will never forget. Thank you for standing with me not just professionally, but personally. It meant more than words can express.

I am proud of how we’ve lifted each other up—across school, academic, public, and special libraries—and how we’ve leaned into our shared values in times of both challenge and opportunity. Whether you presented at a workshop, mentored a colleague, contributed to a committee, or simply showed up to support your peers, you made a difference.

I am especially grateful to the OLA Executive Board, committee chairs, and volunteers who gave countless hours to ensure our work continues to matter. Your leadership and creativity inspire me, and I know OLA is in strong, capable hands moving forward.

Though my presidency is ending, my commitment to OLA remains steadfast. I look forward to supporting our incoming leadership team and continuing to advocate for the vital role libraries play in every Oklahoma community.

Thank you for your trust, your service, and your dedication to the people we serve. It has truly been a joy to lead—and to walk this journey together.

With deep appreciation,

Gail Oehler

In April, the Southeastern Oklahoma Library System (SEOLS) had the distinct honor of welcoming award-winning author Lois Lowry for a three-stop visit across the region. Each event—hosted in Coalgate, McAlester, and Broken Bow—drew an enthusiastic crowd, with attendance ranging from 150 to an impressive 370 readers.

Lowry’s visit quickly became a highlight of the year for SEOLS. Audiences were captivated by her insightful discussions and heartfelt Q&A sessions, which brought her stories to life in powerful and personal ways. Staff and community members alike were moved by her warm, down-to-earth demeanor and her genuine engagement with fans of all ages.

Her time with SEOLS not only celebrated literature but also underscored the lasting impact of storytelling in building community and connection. The memories made during her visit will remain treasured across the SEOLS libraries for years to come.

Lois Lowry touring the SEOLS Bookmobile

Sisu staff took a picture of our team before the event ended.

Sisu Youth Services is an affirming youth shelter that serves teens and adults up to age 25. In addition to their 23-hour walk-in shelter, they also offer beds for overnight stay, and they provide programs for clients to live with host families and transitional living.

Sisu clients are known to use the public libraries in Oklahoma City, and can be students in the Oklahoma City public school system. Clients who have moved on from needing Sisu’s services can be found in our universities, and will continue to use the public library for other needs as they arise. As the library association for the state of Oklahoma, it benefits both us and Sisu to establish a positive connection and maintain it by volunteering as an organization.

If you’re interested in volunteering with Sisu as an individual, visit sisuyouth.org/get-involved to fill out an interest form!

This heartfelt event was held at Pixiedust Gifts & Bakeshop, 16386 US Hwy 70 in Lone Grove, OK. With just a SOLS Library card in hand, patrons are invited to explore a wide array of books that cater to readers of all ages. The LibCabinet's introduction is particularly significant for those who may have difficulty traveling to other SOLS branches, as it aims to provide a convenient and accessible resource right in their neighborhood.

By bringing this innovative service to Lone Grove, the library is not only enhancing accessibility but also nurturing a sense of community and a passion for reading. This initiative embodies the library's commitment to fostering literacy and lifelong learning, making it a truly enriching addition to the area.

Community stakeholders stand together inside Pixiedust Gifts & Bakeshop as SOLS Executive Director Gail Oehler cuts a red ribbon with giant scissors.
 
Pictured from left to right: Laura Akers (The McCrory Foundation), Debbie James (SOLS Board Member), Pam Rickords (SOLS Board Member), Ian O'Neal (Lone Grove City Manager), JL Self (Lone Grove City Assistant City Manager/HR City-Court Clerk), Alyson Blankenship (SOLS Associate Director), Gail Oehler (SOLS Executive Director), Lori Smith (Pixiedust Owner), and Corey Fisher (SOLS IT Manager)

OSU Libraries’ investment in creating innovative, community-building events united Tulsa and Stillwater community members over education research, hip-hop scholarship and activism on October 17, 2024.

The Oklahoma Oral History Research Program hosted “Punished for Dreaming: Lecture & Listen Party,” at Tulsa’s Fulton Street Coffee and Books, which brought in 80 attendees to enjoy a lecture and listening party led by Dr. Bettina Love and Stevie “Dr. View” Johnson.

The event was inspired by Dr. Love’s book, “Punished for Dreaming: How School Reform Harms Black Children and How We Heal,” a 40-year retrospective on systemic racism and educational reform in American school systems.

OOHRP Assistant Professor Dr. Autumn Brown, who organized the event, expressed excitement at the community engagement and enthusiasm surrounding the event.

"Seeing such a great display of community was the most beautiful part of the event,” Brown said. “Dr. Love’s engaging, down-to-earth demeanor fostered so many organic connections and conversations throughout the night.”

Among the attendees was OSU student Kendal McGhee, who traveled from Stillwater to attend and appreciated learning the circumstances behind modern struggles in education.

“As a Black student, I’m aware of a lot of the challenges our community experiences, but I haven’t had a lot of exposure to the historical context that informs them,” McGhee said. “Listening to the lecture and speaking with the presenters left me with a more solid understanding.”

Dr. Brown’s research and scholarship at the OOHRP often involves documenting the lived-experiences of Black Oklahomans involved in activism, education, arts, and community organizing. Visit bit.ly/3C9KUEn to view her research.

This event was co-sponsored by the Oklahoma Oral History Research Program; OSU Libraries; OSU Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies; the Center for Poets and Writers; The Center for the Humanities; the Laurence L. and Georgia Ina Dresser Professorship in Rural Teacher Education; Oklahoma Humanities; the Fae Rawdon Norris Endowment for the Humanities; The University of Tulsa Kendall College of Arts & Sciences; the OU Carceral Studies Consortium; the Restorative Justice Institute of Oklahoma; the OSU American Studies Department; and the OSU Department of Africana Studies.

This program was funded in part by Oklahoma Humanities (OH) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily represent those of OH or NEH.

About Oklahoma Humanities:
Oklahoma Humanities (OH) is an independent, nonprofit organization whose mission is to strengthen communities by helping Oklahomans learn about the human experience, understand new perspectives, and participate knowledgeably in civic life through humanities disciplines such as history, literature, film studies, art criticism, and philosophy. As the state partner for the National Endowment for the Humanities, OH provides a free educational magazine, Smithsonian Institution exhibits, reading and discussion groups, and other cultural opportunities for Oklahomans of all ages. OH engages people in their own communities, stimulating discussion and helping them explore the wider world of human experience.

STORY BY: Jacob Jackson, Senior Communication Specialist
RELEASE CONTACT: Bonnie Cain-Wood, APR | OSU Library | 405-744-7331 | lib-pub@okstate.edu

About Oklahoma State University:
Oklahoma State University is a premier land-grant university that prepares students for success. Through teaching, research, and Extension, OSU engages communities and empowers servant-leaders to meet society’s most pressing challenges. OSU is the largest university system in Oklahoma and has more than 34,000 students across its five-campus system and more than 25,000 on its combined Stillwater and Tulsa campuses, with students from all 50 states and more than 125 nations. Established in 1890, OSU has graduated more than 280,000 students to serve the state of Oklahoma, the nation, and the world.

One of the highlights of our conference is the incredible lineup of speakers we’ve secured to motivate, educate, and challenge us. Here’s a sneak peek:

• Richard Hight, Artistic Mindset and Innovative Leader, will deliver the opening keynote, visually captivating our members with a presentation tailored to OLA.
• Amanda Jones, author, librarian, and anti-censorship advocate, will inspire us with insights into her personal journey with harassment, and her key role in founding Louisiana Citizens Against Censorship in the closing session on Friday. 
• Sequoyah Authors Caron Levis, Natalie Lloyd, and Dante Medema: A dynamic panel of Sequoyah Authors will feature their respective award-winning books: Cookies and Milk, Hummingbird and Message Not Found.

This year’s conference is designed to provide valuable learning opportunities for academic, public, and school librarians. Pre-conference workshops, breakout sessions and networking opportunities have been designed to equip you with the tools and insight you need to bring back to your library.

Why Attend?

• Networking: Connect with colleagues from across the state who share your dedication to libraries and their impact on communities.
• Professional Development: Gain fresh ideas, discover new strategies, and explore innovative solutions to challenges you face in your library.
• Exhibits and Vendors: Get hands-on with the latest tools, technologies, and resources that can enrich your library’s offerings.
• Celebrate Excellence: Join us as we honor the achievements of our colleagues and celebrate the vital role libraries play in our world.

Register Today!

I encourage you to take advantage of our Early Bird pricing which is available until February 4, 2025! Don’t wait—register now at oklibs.org/event/register4ola2025

I’m looking forward to seeing you at this year’s conference. Together, we’ll learn, share, and grow as a community committed to the future of libraries.

At Linscheid Library, we understand that advocacy efforts between the library and its campus community are vital for fostering a culture of engagement and resource utilization. It is known that when libraries actively communicate and collaborate with students, faculty, and staff, they can tailor their services to meet specific needs. This ensures that resources are accessible and relevant. For example, partnering with academic departments to host workshops on information literacy not only enhances students' research skills but also strengthens the connection between the library and curriculum. This collaboration can lead to not just increased usage of library resources and improved academic performance, but a greater sense of community on campus. This illustrates how effective advocacy can transform the educational landscape.

Additionally, we must not forget our local community. By hosting community-wide events like a blood drive, we can significantly enhance advocacy efforts by fostering relationships between the library, the broader campus, and the local community. Such events serve as a platform for the library to demonstrate its commitment to social responsibility and community well-being, positioning it as a vital resource beyond traditional academic services. By facilitating a meaningful activity that addresses a pressing need, the library can engage diverse groups and encourage participation from students, staff, faculty, and the surrounding community, building a sense of camaraderie. Moreover, these events can spark conversations about other library initiatives, showcasing its role as a hub for community engagement. We see first-hand how this increased visibility and goodwill leads to stronger partnerships, more collaborative programming, and a greater appreciation of the library’s value in the community, ultimately enhancing its advocacy efforts.

I would also like to take a moment to reflect on the incredible leadership retreat we had on advocacy in July. The training equipped us with valuable strategies and insights to effectively champion the importance of libraries. The enthusiasm and dedication demonstrated by all participants were truly inspiring and I am confident that these skills and knowledge gained will significantly benefit our advocacy efforts moving forward.

The upcoming year promises to be a transformative one for us. With the help of OLA’s membership, together we can build upon these key initiatives:

1. Advocacy and Outreach: Strengthening our efforts to advocate for libraries at the local, state, and national levels, ensuring that the crucial role of libraries is understood, valued, and supported.
2. Professional Development: Continue to offer educational opportunities serving our members and the wider community by sharing our best practices and helping our members stay at the forefront of library science and technology.
3. Enhance Annual Conference: Our annual conference is a gathering of kindred souls, where we share knowledge, experiences and form deep connections. I am eager to integrate last year’s feedback to further develop professional growth among our members.
4. Community Engagement: Fostering deeper connections within our membership with programs, activities and services that meet evolving needs and enrich the lives of library professionals.

I encourage all members to actively participate in our association’s activities and initiatives. Your ideas, feedback, and collaboration are vital to our collective success. Together, we can build a stronger, more vibrant library community.

I am here to serve you and to ensure that OLA continues to thrive and grow.

Thank you again for this incredible opportunity. I look forward to working with all of you and achieving remarkable things while standing together…moving forward.

After parking up the hill, I made my way down to the door I had spied previously. On either side was a planter with small, colorful flowers, and the windows were adorned with stickers and window clings related to books and reading. The come-and-go event on June 27, 2024 was from 2:00 to 4:00 pm and was almost over, but I needn’t have been worried about being late.

Stepping inside the door, I saw a room that had a surprisingly large number of people in it. Some were perusing the new bookshelves of materials. Some children were in an area especially for them, playing and engaging with the activities there. Some were getting their very own library card. It was a warm and inviting space, solidly situated in community.

Books and magazines and DVDs, oh my!

I was greeted warmly by Tassey Beeson, a former Pioneer Library System librarian and the tribal nation’s chosen librarian, and Laura Clark, the invaluable library assistant. Tassey and Laura already have big ideas about how to keep improving service to the Kickapoo community. A newer, larger space is in their future, and I am excited to see how they can help shape it. Even as I was leaving the event, there were still community members there, demonstrating the need for the library and the value it already brings to Kickapoo citizens.

Congratulations to the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma for the dedication to serving your people, and congratulations and many thanks to Tassey and Laura for making even temporary library housing feel like home.

The children's area offers space for reading and engaging.

In 2017, the librarians at Muskogee Public Schools began giving away free books to students at our local Farmer's Market. Each child that came received two free books of their choice. Our mission is to help build home libraries for the children in our community. In the twenty-four events we have hosted, we have given away over 35,000 books to children.

Funding for the books has come from a variety of sources, including grants and donations. Each year our community looks forward to participating in our book giveaways and we are impacting families, one book at a time.

A happy reader examines one of their chosen books

Building on the success of our Community Book Giveaways, our library group wanted to ensure students would have access to books 24/7. Little Free Libraries have given our community just that. The first box was purchased through a grant, sponsored by the Education Foundation of Muskogee, and installed at our magnet school. One of our librarians painted the exterior that depicts each librarian as their favorite book character.

Our goal is that these libraries become self-sustaining and continue to allow students to take and trade books any time of day or night. Since the first box was installed in April 2024, we have placed two more boxes in our district. Our long-term goal is to have Little Free Library boxes at every school site in our district within the next two years, thus growing the love for reading by making books accessible to everyone.

A child trades books at the Little Free Library

This OLA team and its membership is outstanding. We worked hard together to make OLA stronger. We created our Google Workspace; updated the Constitution, Bylaws, and Handbook; voted in an excellent slate of officers; put on a groovy conference; grew the membership and partnered with others to provide a mentoring program; and we did all of that together. 

The DRoCs worked collaboratively to provide high quality professional development, further strengthening the membership. The Advocacy Committee, once again, worked tirelessly behind the scenes with our lobbyists to ensure zero negative library bills were passed. There are so many great things we did together, and you should be proud to say you are a member of OLA!

I have thoroughly enjoyed this year, and it has been an honor to say I was your president. Thank you for the good times and the hard times, and most of all for the memories!

Peace, love, and libraries! Conference was smooth, man. Thank you to everyone who was involved: organizers, presenters, flower arrangers, ticket takers, trade show organizers, and most importantly the attendees!

Here’s a huge shoutout to Tony Hoberecht and Jessica Conley and the entire Conference Planning Committee for a job well done. Conference sessions were outstanding this year, and the social events were well attended and groovy.

There’s still time to order conference swag from the OLA store, and conference photos are available on Facebook and in this Google Photo album.

Oklahoma State University has migrated its institutional repository to a new platform that will better serve the university and the state. The new site, Open Research Oklahoma, was developed with OSU’s land grant mission in mind.

Open Research Oklahoma supports OSU’s research, teaching and outreach by enhancing the visibility and impact of the university’s scholarly output. It is freely available worldwide at openresearch.okstate.edu.

“As a land grant university, OSU recognizes and promotes the importance of open access to scholarly information,” said Associate Dean of Library Operations, Juliana Nykolaiszyn. “Platforms like Open Research Oklahoma serve the public good by facilitating the broad dissemination of research findings and removing barriers to access.”

Currently, the repository houses content from OSU Stillwater and OSU’s Center for Health Sciences, including a mix of faculty publications, digital theses and dissertations, undergraduate research, open educational resources, and more. However, the intention of Open Research Oklahoma is to amplify not only OSU’s scholarly work but also contributions across the state of Oklahoma.

“While there are a variety of options within the research landscape, the OSU Library is ready to take the next step in helping other Oklahoma institutions share their scholarly output in new ways, with new audiences, across the open access landscape,” Nykolaiszyn said.

Setting up and maintaining an institutional repository can be an expensive and resource-intensive undertaking. That is why other Oklahoma-based academic institutions, cultural organizations, and state agencies are invited to partner in Open Research Oklahoma, allowing them to share their unique academic content to increase access and discovery.

To learn more about Open Research Oklahoma, visit openresearch.okstate.edu or email openresearch@okstate.edu.

Southeast Oklahoma Library System staff won a game of Librarian Feud

Throughout the evening attendees enjoyed food, fun, and time with friends. On the Main Stage, teams squared off in games of Librarian Feud and then individual contestants were invited to test their knowledge of the costs of furniture and equipment in Priced Right for Libraries, all emceed by Conner Kirk. A special shout out to Dr. Edwards for the best and most excited contestant chosen to “come on down!” and enter the fray for the opening bids.

Emcee Connor Kirk invites contestants to “Come on down” to play Priced Right for Libraries.

Attendees were able to strut their stuff and show off their totally far out digs in the costume contest. None other than the fabulous Gloria Farmer won the Judge’s Choice Award for best '70s costume.

Gloria Farmer accepts the Judge’s Choice Award from Jack Rothstein

Prior to the conference, libraries and vendors had the opportunity to submit '70s commercials to the Endowment Committee. Online voting narrowed these down to the top video in each category: Peach, Love, and Libraries. The Pioneer Library System walked away with the coveted People’s Choice Award for their groovy video, Smokey and the Banned Books.

A special thanks to the Brown Brothers for their continued support and for bringing the photo booth. Another BIG thank you to all of the student volunteers. Your help was imperative for this event to be a success–thank you for your willingness to stand in the gaps and work with us.

And last but certainly not least, thank you to the many people who produced and submitted videos, the people who voted, the attendees, and the vendors. You are the reason OLA can do great things. Regardless of rural or urban; school, academic, special, or public; system or municipal; member, student, or vendor, when we all work together BIG things can be accomplished.

The OLA Endowment supports scholarships, leadership development, advocacy, and special needs of the Oklahoma Library Association. To learn more or to donate, please visit the Endowment page.

The award allowed library staff to hire a consultant, The Conservation Center, an organization with a long history of preserving collections at various institutions and offering a 24-hour Disaster Response team to help institutions address accidental damage from natural disasters. The Conservation Center was selected as a qualified institution within our geographical region. Their staff have a cumulative 300 years of conservation experience with specialization in photography, rare books, works on paper, 3-D objects, and multimedia.

The consultant identified various courses of treatment for the Stafford Collection materials, provided a roadmap of the needed supplies to be used in safely storing this collection, and recommended facility updates to accommodate the proper preservation of these materials in storage and on display. The preservation assessment report is located on the university’s institutional repository, SWOSU Digital Commons.

This report evaluating the Thomas P. Stafford Collection has been made possible in part by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this report, do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

For more information on the General Thomas P. Stafford Archives, visit the website at https://stafford.swosu.edu.

Growing up, Tami was around her deaf uncle some, but she really learned to communicate with deaf people after she gave birth to a daughter, who is also deaf. Because Tami has this amazing skill, she brings her daughter, Ashley, to school and teaches our students about diversity, disability, and acceptance through communication.

With no previous knowledge of what is going to be covered that day, she quietly starts the lesson by signing hello and her name. Witnessing the students look around the room at each other and back at Mrs. Butler as they begin to comprehend what today’s lesson is about is wonderful. The excitement on their faces as they realize that they are in for a treat. She signs again and voices what she is saying. She now has everyone’s full attention. She goes into the story of how her daughter lost her hearing at birth through illness, and how their family all learned sign language so they could talk to her.

Mrs. Butler brings this personal experience into the classroom to share with children who may not have the opportunity to be around people with a disability. This interactive experience gives children a chance to safely ask questions, begin a discussion, and understand more about the world they live in. This is one lesson that they remember, fondly. They love signing with Ashley when they see her around town and at school activities.

During the lesson, Tami and Ashley teach the children the alphabet; numbers-up to twenty; and a wide array of words including family members, foods, sports, animals and phrases like “I love you” or “thank you”. Ashley is the lovable, enthusiastic host as she helps students place their hands correctly and converses with them at the end of the lesson before handing them a printout of the alphabet to take home. The children practice their skills on each other and their teachers throughout the day.

We have had a great response from our parents and the community each year when the children share their experience. We strive to teach our students to appreciate each other’s unique qualities and diverse learning abilities, and this lesson does just that. It is amazing to see how comfortable they become after they have an understanding of how to communicate with deaf people even though it is a new skill for most of our students. I love watching Mrs. Butler excel at her job and put her heart into the work that she does. She sincerely cares about the children and provides them with experiences that they will remember.

Ashley Butler (right) with her mother Tami (left) teaching students proper sign language techniques.

I want to press pause for just a second and say thank you! It’s been an incredibly busy and project-filled year, and the association has accomplished so much. That’s due to each and every member leading by example and helping carry the load. We are truly OLA strong!

There’s still work to do. The 2024 session of the Oklahoma Legislature convened on February 5th. The Advocacy Committee and OLA lobbyist, MMR, needs our support. If broad-scale, direct action is needed from the OLA membership, a call to action will be issued through OLA channels. You can sign up to be immediately notified if action is needed at https://bit.ly/OKadvocacysignup.

This all leads back to OLA’s mission and our future success and positive Association culture. OLA’s mission has a significant impact on all Oklahoma libraries and their patrons/clients/customers throughout the state and beyond. Let’s “Lead by Example” and continue to strengthen the quality of libraries and librarians in the Great State of Oklahoma.

On December 1st, 2023, Leslie Langley, Southeast Oklahoma Library System (SEOLS) Regional Supervisor and past OLA president, retired after 33 years of exceptional service.   We will cherish Leslie for her role as a mentor and developer of new leaders every bit as much as we’ll remember her accomplishments, which included campaigning for an increased library tax millage in LeFlore County, leading the OLA Gold Committee, and receiving both the OLA and MPLA Distinguished Service Awards.  Leslie took great pride in being the first OLA and MPLA president to serve in that role without an MLIS.  Wherever she went, Leslie established a reputation for growing and mentoring new leaders.  Almost every OLA officer and leader was mentored at one time or another by Leslie.

I’ve attended more meetings than I can count and I’m loving it. It’s great to see how much everyone is dedicated to OLA, and to feel how passionate Oklahoma librarians are. It makes me think of past conference themes. We are the Keys to the Future, Circle of Life, the Heart of Your Community, One Together, Stronger Together; we Explore the Possibilities, we are Special and the Change; we Ring True, Reach!, and Dare to Imagine. And Yeah! we are Building for the Future and truly Leading by Example!

This all leads back to OLA’s mission and our future success and positive Association culture. OLA’s mission has a significant impact on all Oklahoma libraries and their patrons/clients/customers throughout the state and beyond. Let’s “Lead by Example” and continue to strengthen the quality of libraries and librarians in the Great State of Oklahoma.

Now in its second year, this symposium sets UCO apart from other institutions as it is the first of its kind in the library and archives professions. Session presenters represented a variety of Oklahoma institutions in addition to UCO, such as the Chickasha Public Library, Bristow Public Library, Oklahoma State University, and National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum. An especially well-received session showcased the new Tribal Nations in Oklahoma Metadata database, a collaborative project that resulted from the 2022 symposium. Speakers from outside Oklahoma also shared their expertise about metadata justice-related matters. A panel consisting of subject heading funnel coordinators gave attendees the opportunity to learn about the process for proposing new and revised subject headings to the Library of Congress. Of particular interest was a presentation about prison labor with the Oklahoma Correctional Industries’ suspended Yearbook Project as a case study.

The keynote was given by Suzette Chang, CEO of non-profit Thick Descriptions, whose goal is to disrupt traditional methods of education with anthropology. Suzette challenged attendees to consider how politeness and courtesy both help and hinder the work to create metadata that is inclusive and ensures access to materials for historically overlooked communities. As the 2023 recipient of OLA's Ruth Brown Memorial Award, we were grateful and honored that the award's prize allowed our attendees from all over to engage with Suzette on such an important topic. Presentation slides and symposia proceedings are available on SHAREOK.

Symposium Program Cover