The Metropolitan Library System sends ths information as posted below:
There is much to discover this month at Metro Library, with something for all guests like new screen-free learning tools, summer reading activities, local arts programming and author events.
Summer Reading
Summer Reading continues this month, supporting childhood literacy and helping students avoid the “summer slide.” This year’s theme, “Unearth a Story,” invites readers to discover new books, hidden histories and stories waiting to be uncovered, all with a prehistoric twist. Teens and adults can join the fun too by reading, earning prizes and participating in library activities through July 31. This year’s program includes a 600-point goal for all readers, with one point earned for every minute read, easy progress tracking through the Beanstack app or paper logs. Prizes for all ages include books, a Metro Library baseball cap, coupons and grand prize drawings. Learn more and register at metrolibrary.org/summerreading.
In addition to regular Summer Reading programming, libraries are offering hands-on, prehistoric-themed activities that bring the “Unearth a Story” theme to life. Families can explore dinosaur science, crafts, storytelling and creative play through programs led by library staff and community partners. Highlights include fossil programs, dinosaur digs, art projects, visits from Science Museum Oklahoma, drawing workshops, puppet-making, dino trivia, and escape rooms.
New Resource for Kids!
Metro Library has added a new resource that offers screen-free fun and learning for children with no Wi-Fi or additional technology needed. The pre-loaded speaker, called “Whazoodles,” features songs, stories, activities and more and is available now at library branches. Customers may check out up to two per library card. Whazoodles cannot be placed on hold.
Read for Adventure
Metro Library is partnering with the Oklahoma City Zoo for its statewide literacy program, Read for Adventure. Library cardholders who check out and read “Juniper’s Butterfly Garden” or 30 other book titles will receive a voucher redeemable for free admission to the OKC Zoo upon checkout of physical material.
Neighborhood Arts
The Neighborhood Arts program returns this summer with a lineup of performances for all ages. Sponsored by the Arts Council of Oklahoma City, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Oklahoma Arts Council, the program provides access to music, dance and visual arts education throughout the community. July performances include Hurrey-Up Cultural Arts Initiative, Kismet Theatre, Painted Sky Opera, OKC Improv, Lyric Theatre, Magician Michael Corley, Groovemeant Community and Inspyral Circus. Performances take place at library locations and off-site venues, including Scissortail Park. A full list of summer performances is available at metrolibrary.org/neighborhoodarts.
Programming with the Oklahoma Contemporary
The Metropolitan Library System continues its partnership with the Kirkpatrick Foundation and Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center by hosting summer programs connected to the Contemporary’s ongoing exhibitions.
Metro Library will host a special ArtDesk Conversation, “The Uniqueness of Light,” at Belle Isle Library on July 19 at 2 p.m. Trent Riley, Executive Director of Oklahoma Contemporary Arts Center will moderate the panel featuring artist Amy Hoagland, Meagan Robson, curator at the Thoma Foundation, and featured artist Chad Mount. Our guests will discuss the subtle and powerful role of light in art and its rise through the 20th and 21st centuries. The conversation explores how artists use perception, experience, memory and perspective to help audiences see familiar realities differently. Mount’s new exhibition, “Frequency and Perspective” at Oklahoma Contemporary, is currently on view and runs through Nov. 2.
Authors Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone Visit Metro Library
Bestselling romance authors Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone will visit the Patience S. Latting Northwest Library July 30 at 6 p.m. for an author talk and book event. The authors will discuss their new novel, “Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl,” as well as Murphy’s latest solo book, “Vera Stein is Fine.” Best friends and co-authors Murphy and Simone have written six romantic comedies, and their new “Academic Affairs” series begins with “Fundamentals of Being a Good Girl,” a romance about a professor, a new lecturer and an unexpected nanny arrangement.
The event will be moderated by Second Story Books, which will also sell the authors’ books on site. Murphy and Simone will share their road to publishing, the highs and lows of writing romance, what it’s like to co-write as a duo, and a glimpse into future stories and projects. Julie Murphy and Sierra Simone said they hope the event is a “celebration of romance novels and also of being a romance reader.” Registration opens on July 6. Seating is limited, and this event is for ages 18 and up.
For more information on these events and more, visit metrolibrary.org.
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