The year 1972 was a great one for Muskogee Public Library. Our two-story, modern library was completed, at 801 W. Okmulgee, and it was funded by citizens who voted yes to $750,000 in bonds and a matching grant of $465,000 from the Library Services and Construction Act.
The library was modern for the era—52 years ago. The building was completely electric, with a Westinghouse Chiller and Precision Electric Hot Water Heating Boilers for heat and air conditioning, a charging desk designed by architects, a “Myrtle” desk, and tables, chairs, and lounge furniture by Steelcase. Carpet and tile in the “Sahara Tan” color scheme brightened every room, and terrazzo tile floors graced the lobby.
It was a lovely building: 37-000 square feet dedicated to serving its community and surrounding areas.
Muskogee Public Library as we know it today was born.
Muskogee Public Library: A Cornerstone of the Community
Even in the ancient world, there were libraries—repositories of history, knowledge, and memories that civilizations didn’t want forgotten. But thousands of years after the first library was ever created, libraries have changed—still vast repositories of knowledge and more, but also as meeting spaces for community organizations and businesses, shared working spaces, centers of technology, enriching experiences in art and music, as a means to level resources for those who have lower incomes or fewer opportunities than others, and programs for all ages.
The Financial Impact
In Fiscal Year 2024, Muskogee Public Library provided items to borrow, services, and programs to the community that are valued at $2,625,356, according to the American Library Association Library Value Calculator.
That includes
- 20,214 free wi-fi connections
- 11,344 times a library computer was used
- 98,497 books, movies, and music borrowed
- 57,308 e-books, audiobooks, e-movies, and music borrowed
- 505 programs offered
- 11,882 program attendance
- And 1,340 times the library’s meeting rooms and study rooms were used for free by community members.
Lifelong Learning
Educational community services at Muskogee Public Library include:
- GED classes
- U.S. Citizenship classes
- Cooking classes
- Hobby and craft classes, and more.
Storytime is held three-times-a-week and encourages a love of reading in our community’s small children. Teens have an advisory group and can help the library plan programs for them to learn new skills. During the summer, the library regularly holds a photography camp and technology camp. Library staff help patrons find information they need, use the library computers, watch out for phone and email scams, and much more. Learning IS the library!
Quality of Life
The library is a safe place for everyone to enjoy. It costs nothing to use the library, borrow items, use computers and wi-fi, and participate in activities and programs.
The library is for:
- The family who can’t afford to pay for painting classes anywhere else
- The kids who don’t have books at home
- The reading enthusiasts to have clubs and great discussions
- The writers to practice their skills and compete in writing contests
- The parents who want their kids to learn to love reading
- The technology-lovers who want to use a 3D printer or a Glowforge
- The senior who needs gentle exercise to improve balance
- The people who want to learn tai chi, and many more.
The library enhances the quality of EVERYONE’S life in many, incredible ways.
QUICK STATS:
The modern library was moved there in April 1972 from the Carnegie Library that had been built in 1914. Rob Martindale, Muskogee Phoenix newspaper’s city editor at the time, called the new library “beautiful”—and much needed as the Carnegie library had become “a fading lady on vacation.”
