Tulsa, Okla. — Saint Francis Health System has agreed to donate a 6.5-acre parcel in South Broken Arrow to the Tulsa City-County Library. The land will be the future site of the William K. and Natalie O. Warren Library. The property is located near the intersection of Aspen Avenue and New Orleans Street (101st and 145th), across Chestnut Street from the current South Broken Arrow Library.
“Our two current libraries in Broken Arrow are two of our busiest locations in Tulsa County. However, the South Broken Arrow Library is the busiest of our 24 locations in terms of visitors and checkouts on a per square foot basis,” said Tulsa City-County Library CEO Gary Shaffer. “Until today we simply did not have adequate space to grow the facility.”
In addition to housing an incredible book collection for the avid reading population of South Broken Arrow, the library system hopes to offer access to 21st century learning technology such as a maker space, digital learning lab, as well as a quiet reading room. A coffee shop also may be incorporated into the space if demand warrants.
“We are proud to invest in the future of the community through support of the Tulsa City-County Library. It is our hope that the future developments on this gifted land will serve the community for generations to come. Advancing access to libraries and learning opportunities provided by the library system is in the best interest of our children, our region and our future,” said Barry Steichen, chief operating officer of Saint Francis Health System.
In honoring the gift from Saint Francis Health System, the library system also will consider incorporating collections and tools to help library customers to make healthy lifestyle choices.
“The Tulsa City-County Library does much more than provide buildings with books. The programs and services offered by the library range from tutoring and college planning to adult literacy program and services for the homebound. Saint Francis is pleased to be able to support the library as it grows to meet the needs of the community,” said Steichen.
“We are incredibly grateful for this extremely generous gift from Saint Francis Health System, which will allow us to one day expand a library location that has long outgrown its current facility,” said Shaffer.
About the Tulsa City-Country Library
Founded in 1961 by Allie Beth Martin, Alfred E. Aaronson and a group of other forward-thinking citizens, the Tulsa City-County Library (TCCL) serves Tulsa County and is the second largest public library system in the state. TCCL’s mission statement is “Libraries Change Lives,” and its vision statement envisions Tulsa-area communities working together, where all are knowledgeable, and where everyone is reaching for his or her full potential. TCCL’s strategic goals are: promote lifelong learning and literacy in all forms; contribute to stronger communities; and cultivate engaged employees. TCCL is governed by an 11-member commission, which is responsible for the oversight of operations, policies, expenditures, land acquisitions and buildings. Today, with 398 employees, TCCL operates a Central Library, four regional libraries, 19 community libraries, a community outreach and literacy services center, as well as a support services center and three mobile libraries. On Oct. 1, 2016, TCCL opened its newly renovated Central Library replete with a Starbucks coffee shop. The Starbucks coffee shop is operated by the library and all net proceeds after expenses and sales tax are repatriated to the library system. The Central Library had been closed for three years to undergo a $53 million complete renovation.
About Saint Francis Health System
Founded in 1960 by William K. and Natalie O. Warren, Saint Francis is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system wholly owned and operated in Tulsa, Okla., whose mission is to extend the presence and healing ministry of Christ to all who seek its services. The health system is anchored by Saint Francis Hospital, a 1,100-bed tertiary center, which includes a 162-bed Children's Hospital with the region's only level IV neonatal intensive care unit, a 168-bed heart hospital, and Tulsa's leading trauma and emergency center. Also part of the health system is Saint Francis Hospital South, a 96-bed community hospital, and Laureate Psychiatric Clinic and Hospital—a 90-bed private, psychiatric facility recognized nationally for its eating disorders program. Additionally, Saint Francis employs 324 physicians and 101 advanced practice providers through the Warren Clinic, which serves the region with over 70 locations throughout eastern Oklahoma. To further Saint Francis' commitment to integrated healthcare delivery, it also operates a home care division, which includes hospice, home health and durable medical equipment companies. In total, the organization has more than 8,300 employees, 1,000 physicians and 700 volunteers, making it the largest private employer in Tulsa County.
Saint Francis Health System also is a 50-percent partner with Ascension Health in Community Care Managed Healthcare Plan of Oklahoma, an organization dedicated to providing high-quality, cost-effective health insurance coverage to individuals and families in the area. Saint Francis’ mission and Catholic identity guide and direct all facets of its ministry to provide for the medical, psychological and spiritual needs of the communities it proudly serves.