Tulsa’s Central Library

The Central Library Children’s Team can’t wait for you to come and see all of the things that Central Library has to offer for children and teens. Families can expect to find many new and exciting elements waiting for them when the library reopens on Oct. 1. An opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. with featured speakers and a ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.

Here are six highlights for your family to look forward to on your first visit back to Central Library:

For Young Children

Play & Learn:

Perfect for early learners who discover new ideas and skills through movement and hands-on activity. The Herman & Kate Kaiser Children’s Area of Central Library will feature early literacy interactive centers custom designed for Tulsa City-County Library by the Burgeon Group of Portland, Oregon.

There is so much to explore in this play and learn area. Children can delight in powering an alphabet whirligig, dream up imaginary edible creations in a garden café, become mini engineers as they design ball runs on a magnet wall, and so much more. Built in to this area are three beautiful tower-like structures where children can play while learning mapping skills, alphabet awareness, color recognition, animal sounds and even rare words.

As children play, parents can look through and point out all of the Tulsa ties that are incorporated in the design. Children can learn about units of measurement while discovering just how tall our Golden Driller is! Families will have access to enjoy this area any time Central Library is open.

Children’s Garden:

Measuring just larger than one-and-a-half basketball courts in size, Central Library’s A.R. and MaryLouise Tandy Children’s Garden will offer programming for all ages. Being noisy, messy and active is encouraged in this outdoor space, and a team of library staff has programs specially designed for these purposes.

Babies and toddlers will have storytimes that encourage movement with bubbles and tricycles. Families will be able to enjoy garden games on nice weather days. A gigantic movie screen on the east wall of the garden will allow for this space to host movie events. Keep an eye on our library event guides and social media for information about upcoming events.

Storytime:

Storytime is a treasured service that the library provides and Central Library will offer storytimes in style. The redesigned building includes a room specially geared toward presenting storytimes where children can choose their own seat each week from the children’s cushion cubbies. The Mary K. Chapman Meeting Room sits adjacent to the Children’s Area and features a window overlooking the Children’s Garden.

For Older Children and Teens

Maker Space:

Designed to inspire critical thinking and creativity, the Renee Neuwald Maker Space at Central Library is a place to build a robot, learn knitting and sewing, write a poem, use Legos to learn building and design functions, edit and produce music in an audio lab and so much more.

Digital Literacy Lab:

This lab, hosted by the American Electric Power Foundation, houses state-of–the-art technologies. It functions as a place where people of all ages can participate in STEM-based project and problem-solving learning. Computer programming, learning to code, robotics and game design are a few areas of focus.

For Parents

Starbucks:

There will be a Starbucks inside the library. Cap off your family’s visit to the library with a special treat, tea or latte.