After a three year closure to undergo a $50-million renovation, a spectacular Central Library grand opening is scheduled Oct. 1, 10 a.m. at Fifth Street and Denver Avenue.
Remarks from distinguished guests and Tulsa City-County Library administrators are planned for 10 a.m. A celebration with a ribbon release, daytime fireworks and confetti will immediately precede the 11 a.m. library opening.
Customers can sign up for drawings for valuable prizes given away throughout the day. Prizes include Amazon Echos, Beats Headphones, iPads, Bluetooth Speakers and a Samsung 55” TV. Each customer can enter one time and winners do not have to be present to claim their prize. No library card is required to enter and win.
The grand opening features fun for the whole family throughout the day, including:
Children
11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. BAM! Entertainment Photo Booth, First Floor
BAM! Face Painters, Lower Level
Balloon Guy, Dustin Reudelhuber, First Floor
Chris Capstone, Roaming Magician, Lower Level
Noon Storytime, First Floor
What is the Maker Space, First Floor
12:30 p.m. Airplane Fly-off, Lower Level
1 p.m. Storytime, First Floor
What is the Maker Space, First Floor
2 p.m. Storytime, First Floor
What is the Maker Space, First Floor
2:30 p.m. Airplane Fly-off, Lower Level
3 p.m. Storytime, First Floor
What is the Maker Space, First Floor
Teen and Adult
3 p.m. Hands on Digital Literacy, Second Floor
Adult
11 a.m.-4 p.m. Adult Literacy Information, Second Floor
11 a.m.-5 p.m. Green Team & Seed Library, First Floor
iPad Bar Demonstration, Second Floor
All Ages
11 a.m.-1 p.m. Collaboration/Communication Games, Second Lower Level
11:30 a.m. What is the Digital Literacy Lab, Second Floor
Kitty & Jack Norton, Fifth Street
12:30 p.m. Steve Weeks, Lower Level
1:30 p.m. What is the Digital Literacy Lab, Second Floor
1:45 p.m. Steve Weeks, Fifth Street
2-4 p.m. Collaboration/Communication Games, Second Lower Level
2:30 p.m. What is the Digital Literacy Lab, Second Floor
Kitty & Jack Norton, Lower Level
11a.m.-5 p.m. Make a Comic, First Floor
Book Face, Second Floor
Library customers will enjoy finding their favorite library services and new reading nooks on each floor and even in the outdoor garden area. Highlights of areas include:
· The A.R. and MaryLouise Tandy Foundation Children’s Garden will focus programming for children and families designed to motivate and inspire. The new outdoor space is surrounded by the library’s west wall and the east wall of the new parking structure. The outdoor fountain is sponsored by WPX Energy, Inc. and provides soothing background sound during programs and events.
· The Herman and Kate Kaiser Children’s Area is designed to appeal to a child’s imagination while developing literacy skills. Play and Learn Centers will help children increase literacy development. Each center was created with numerous ties to Tulsa and Oklahoma.
· The Pocahontas Greadington Learning and Creativity Center is featured on the Lower Level 2. Sponsored by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Foundation, the facilitator-led space is designed to generate excitement and spark creativity for non-profit organizations for strategic planning, staff learning and development activities.
· The American Electric Power Foundation Digital Literacy Lab is a space where people of all ages will participate in challenges that engage them through STEM-based projects and problem–solving learning. Programs and workshops will focus on digital learning and videography, computer programming and coding, robotics, game design for all ages.
· The George Kaiser Family Foundation Oklahoma Room is a hub of historical resources that will provide researchers access to materials covering the histories of Tulsa and Oklahoma. Files are available in print, through digital files, and on microfilm and microfiche. The collection includes physical and digital photographs, oral histories, school yearbooks, maps, newspapers, books and family histories.
· Central Library uses green technology throughout the redesigned building in an effort to earn LEED certification. Existing building reuse, parking for fuel-efficient cars, stormwater collection, pervious concrete pavers, chilled beams and cantilevered lighting are some of the areas where Central Library will gain LEED points. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System represents the U.S. Green Building Council’s effort to provide a national standard for what constitutes a “green building.” Through its use as a design guideline and third-party certification tool, it aims to improve occupant well-being, environmental performance and economic returns of building using innovative practices, standards and technologies.
For more information on Central Library reopening celebration call the AskUs Hotline, 918-549-7323.
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