Readers Rejoice! Brookside Library Has Brand New Digs
Tucked into the Brookside neighborhood, the Bronson Brookside Library offers more amenities and twice the space of its predecessor
Situated in a quiet nook of green space at 4607 S. Madison Pl., the newly opened Bronson Brookside Library is the first branch completed as part of the My Library, OUR Future campaign. Bronson Brookside Library is named in honor of the late Donald Bronson Atkins.
“This has been a long time coming,” says Ellen Cummings, chief operating officer for the Tulsa City-County Library. “Brookside outgrew the old library years ago, and we were limited on what we could offer to the public with the lack of space.”
Breaking ground in 2023, the new Bronson Brookside Library spans over 15,000 square feet, which allows the library to expand programming and other services, in addition to significantly adding to their book collection – thanks to the generous support of the Leslie Pritchard family. Other donors include the Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, the Helmerich Trust, the Hardesty Family Foundation, and the Sanford and Irene Burnstein Family Foundation.
More space for children and teens
“Our children’s area was way too small,” Cummings says. “Our new area is actually the size of what the entire Brookside Library used to be – so we can now offer so many more activities for children.”
The children’s area includes an outdoor play area and tricycle track, so when weather permits, story time and other activities can be held outside. On the inside, the children’s area is filled with colorful, modular furniture to accommodate all types of group settings. 3-D art of flowers lines the walls, and there are children’s check-out stations as well as co-working spaces for both a child and their guardian, allowing parents to do their own research or work next to their child while they play games or do homework on the computer.
“We’ve also added an area specifically for teens,” Cummings says. “They have their own ‘lounge’ area with their own book selections that is separated from the rest of the library, so they have a little more privacy.”
Additional amenities
In addition, the new library has a dedicated activity space for arts and crafts, where they can offer programming such as sewing and art classes. The room also has a 3-D printer and a laser cutter available for use by visitors.
“We also have four ‘huddle rooms’ in different sizes that can be reserved – first-come, first-served,” Cummings says. “Those can be used for meeting space, tutoring sessions, study sessions or group work.”
The library has also added a drive-through window, where the public can drop off and pick up books without having to get out of their vehicle.
“We love that we can offer this service,” Cummings says. “It’s great during inclement weather, if you have a sleeping baby or you are just short on time.”
Beginning in January, the library will offer after-school tutoring programs available to students of all ages. Participants can sign up online or at the library beginning in December.
Hours
The Bronson Brookside Library is open 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Saturday; and closed on Sunday. For more information on events and programming, visit tulsalibrary.org/locations/brookside
Marnie Fernandez is an accomplished PR professional with over two decades of experience in public relations, community engagement, event planning, strategic communications, nonprofit management, writing and media relations.
