by Ammie Bryant, Editor

I have always loved libraries. When I was a kid, I spent a lot of time at the Ponca City Public Library, which was not only a beautiful historical building, but also housed the priceless Matzene Art Collection. I spent my school-aged years roaming the stacks, exploring everything the library had to offer. At my 6th grade graduation assembly, when our classmates made predictions about what we would all be when we grew up, they predicted that I would be a librarian.

I was an aide in my high school library and I went on to work at my college library for four years. I admit, I thought about pursuing library science as a career. If it were not for my love of history, I probably would have gone that route. Instead, I worked for almost fifteen years in the museum field which has a great deal in common with libraries.

During my time as the Sheerar Center’s director, I worked with our local library on seven community-wide reading events as well as other programs. I learned through this work, as well as through my children’s participation in many library programs, that The Stillwater Public Library’s service to our community is priceless. Not only do they provide amazing programs for all ages and all walks of life, I truly believe they could teach a master class in collaboration and community partnership. Anyone who wants to learn how to facilitate partnerships in their community would do well to follow the example of the Stillwater Public Library.

This month kicks off the ninth community-wide reading event. Over the next six weeks, our community will be reading “Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI” and participating in book discussions and attending programs throughout Stillwater. Together, participants will learn about a previously little-known, tragic period in Oklahoma’s history and its significance in our nation’s history, while building and strengthening a sense of community in Stillwater. I hope, through this program, everyone will further come to understand and appreciate the scope of what libraries do and their importance to their communities – especially our beloved Stillwater Public Library.

See you at the Library!