Metropolitan library brings adventure to life with scheduled summer reading programs

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) - The Oklahoma Metropolitan Library System Summer reading program is set to kick off June 1 to July 31! Attendees can expect adventure with planetarium Shows, live performances, scavenger hunts, Alpacas to include meeting KFOR's own Lucas Ross.

The Metropolitan Library is asking those ready to combat the "Summer Slide" with daily reading and the opportunity to win prizes to get ready for its June 1 kickoff events listed below:

• Edmond Library at 10 a.m.: Kickoff event at Shannon Miller Park featuring patriotic tunes
  from the 395th Army Band and cold treats from Kona Ice
• Northwest Library at Noon: "LEGO Summer Reading Kickoff Party" with LEGO block play,
  "Books Come to Life" displays by a local adult LEGO group, door prizes, party favors and lots of LEGO books
• Almonte Library at 1 p.m.: Alpacas, refreshments, crafts and other activities
• Bethany Library at 1 p.m.: A planetarium adventure to learn about the stars
• Del City Library at 2 p.m.: A scavenger hunt with stamps from different country stations to earn a mini-s'mores kit, perfect for a summer reading adventure

June 5 Kickoff Event:

• Bethany Library at 10 a.m.: Live-action Candyland, arts and crafts, outdoor games, ballroom
  fun, face painting, free prizes and food trucks

Neighborhood Arts:

• Neighborhood Arts is back June 1 through July 27 with diverse performances in music, dance, drama and more, sponsored by multiple arts organizations. Scheduled performers include OKC Improv, Oklahoma Violin Ensemble, Lyric Theatre, Lucas Ross, Painted Sky, Alegria Real, RACE Dance Collective, Clips and Hips and Groovemeant Community. Check out the full schedule at metrolibrary.org/neighborhoodarts.

• MONDAYS
  o 10:30 a.m. - Northwest Library (with ASL interpretation available)
  o 10:30 a.m. - Southern Oaks Library
  o 1:30 p.m. - Harrah Senior Center, 19791 Summers Ave., Harrah OK, 73045
  o 2 p.m. - Midwest City Library
• TUESDAYS
  o 10:30 a.m. - Ralph Ellison Library
  o 2 p.m. - Almonte Library, 2727 SW 59th
  o 2 p.m. - Downtown Library
• WEDNESDAYS
  o 10 a.m. - Bethany Library
  o 10 a.m. - Del City Library
  o 2 p.m. - Belle Isle Library
  o 2 p.m. - Choctaw Library
• THURSDAYS
  o 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. - Edmond Library
  o 10:30 a.m. - Jones Library
  o 2 p.m. - Capitol Hill Library
  o 2 p.m. - The Village Library
• FRIDAYS
  o 10:30 a.m. - Nicoma Park
  o 2 p.m. - Rodeo Cinema, 2221 Exchange Ave., OKC
  o 3 p.m. - Warr Acres Library
• SATURDAYS
  o 9 a.m. - Scissortail Park Farmers Market

Celebrate Pride Month

• Pride Month Coffee and Conversation: Book Reading and Panel Discussion – June 5 at 1
  p.m., Capitol Hill Library: Reading by M.L. Williams from "Twelve," panel discussion on
  themes and current events, snacks provided
• LGBTQ+ Art Showcase– June 1-30 at Downtown OKC Library: Exhibition celebrating
  LGBTQ+ artists in Philomathea Hall
• Libraries are for Everyone – June 1-18 at Belle Isle Library: Passive programs and displays
  celebrating Pride
• Pride Flag Garland Take-Home Kit – June 1-18 at Downtown OKC Library: Kits contain
  supplies for this colorful craft
• Pride Creative Writing Chapbooks – June 1-30 at Warr Acres Library: Pride-themed
  creative writing exercises
• Pride Book Box – June 3-18 at Capitol Hill Library: Contains a book with LGBTQ+ main
  character, goodies, and Pride swag
• Pride Candle Pouring Party – June 2, 4 p.m. at Warr Acres Library: Make and decorate
  Pride-inspired candles
• Rainbow Craft Night – June 13, 6 p.m. at Northwest Library: DIY identity flags, EL wire
  crafts, tie-dye, friendship bracelets, buttons, snacks, and photo op for LGBTQ+ teens and allies
• Pride Storytime – June 22, 10 a.m. at Downtown OKC Library: Storytime for ages 5-10,
  followed by a family craft session
• An Afternoon with TJ Klune – June 23, 2 p.m. at Downtown OKC Library: We are proud to
  host an afternoon with TJ Klune, bestselling author of “The House in the Cerulean Sea” and “The Extraordinaries,” featuring a Q&A and book signing. The in-person event is already sold out, but you can join virtually via the library’s Facebook page. More information is available at metrolibrary.org/authorevents.

Celebrate Juneteenth at your Library

• Juneteenth Display: Culture Recorded – June 1-18 at Almonte Library: Interactive
  Juneteenth display, record oral histories, poetry, music in the Podcast Room, create a community scrapbook
• Juneteenth Gardening – June 6, 6 p.m., Almonte Library; June 12, 6 p.m. at Midwest City
  Library; June 15, 10 a.m., Northwest Library: Gabrielle Reyes from Black Soil Urban Farm
  on herbal teas, the “Red Drink” significance, and samples
• Take-Home Tuesday: Juneteenth Watermelon Ginger Beer – June 4 at Del City Library:
  Take-home kit with recipe and supplies for ginger beer
• Activity Booklet Take-Home Kit – June 11 at Del City Library: Juneteenth-themed activity
  booklets, first come, first served
• Window Suncatcher Kit – June 11-18, all day at Downtown OKC Library: Suncatcher kit
  with Juneteenth history inserts for ages 3-10
• Take-Home Kit: June 10-17 at Ralph Ellison Library: Enjoy a fun craft
• Movie Screening “Juneteenth: Faith and Freedom” and Open Mic Poetry – June 24, 6 p.m.
  at Ralph Ellison Library: Documentary screening, followed by Open Mic Poetry Night
• Juneteenth Movie Night – June 13, 6 p.m. at Southern Oaks Library: Screening of “Selma"
  with popcorn
• Family Fun Take-Home Kit: Pinwheels and Bunting – June 11-15 at Wright Library: Kit
  for Juneteenth decorations

Please keep in mind some events may require registration. For a full list of the events click here.