Almonte Library

[Pete]

The current Almonte Library is operating in the Almonte Shopping Center on the SW corner of SW 59th and May.

Plans have been filed to build a brand new 20,000 square foot library on vacant land on the NE corner of that same intersection.

[Ward]

Good! Glad to see that.

[SouthSide]

Have they announced the budget?

[Pete]

Have they announced the budget?

About $6 million.

[bombermwc]

This one is super close to Southern Hills? I'm definitely in favor, but it does seem weird that they are so near each other in way we do not have proximity in any other part of the city.

[SouthSide]

Southern Oaks Library would be the closest. The Almonte location was opened as temporary location when Southern Oaks was being remodeled. The Almonte location attracted a lot of new patrons which lead to the decision to keep it open. I think the city/library system could use this same model to identify other locations for libraries. Public transportation is very limited in this part of town and a short distance further south while still OKC is Cleveland County which is Pioneer library system. These are not large libraries.

[midtownokcer]

This one is super close to Southern Hills? I'm definitely in favor, but it does seem weird that they are so near each other in way we do not have proximity in any other part of the city.

SouthSide explained it in a post already, but the MLS gained 5,000+ new library cardholders while it served as a temp location for Southern Oaks while it was being remodeled. No brainer to keep it open; It's been in operation for over a decade now.

An area that could really use a library or a storefront library is somewhere north of Downtown. Uptown/23rd, Plaza, or Paseo. This library would serve some of the most dense parts of the city without people having to travel 2+ miles to get to Downtown, Ralph Ellison, or Belle Isle.

[HOT ROD]

agree midtowner about the need for an inner city library in the uptown area.

I'd love to see the Gold Dome repurposed for that reason, complete with an Asian focus area and perhaps some frontage shoppes.

[Brett]

I drove by the new Almonte library location the other day and noticed that the cinder block walls are being placed and beginning to get taller.

[Pete]

Construction is well underway for the new Almonte Library near SW 59th and May.

The 20,000 SF Almonte Library will connect the diverse community it serves with the necessary resources and experiences to educate and enrich lives.

Design by ADG/Blatt.

[Pete]

[josefromtulsa]

Thanks for the update! I am glad the city is investing in the southside and in the community. From my personal experiences growing up in a migrant family we were big users of the library for the books and internet access.

Shoutout to libraries everywhere and particularly Maxwell and Martin Regional in Tulsa.

[Brett]

All of the walls are in place and the roof has been installed on the new library.

[SouthSide]

Read that there have been delays on this project impacting the opening. Ayone have any insight on the cause of the delays (contractor, supply chain)?

[Brett]

The library is slowly coming along. The pouring of concrete for the entrance/exit into the library is one obvious project that still needs to be completed. My guess is early 2024 for the grand opening.

[Pete]

Holy cow, this has taken years.

[SouthSide]

The Senior Wellness Center (#4) has been under contruction for over two years and it wouldn't surprise me if it takes 3 years at this rate.

[Brett]

I drove by the library yesterday. The parking lot has finally been completed. More tradesmen who have pickup trucks were parked there. I assume that they are finishing up the interior. I noticed a window installer installing the last windows for the exterior. What little landscaping there is seems to have been addressed.

[Brett]

I spoke with a Metropolitan Library System employee who said that the grand opening for the Almonte library is scheduled for Wednesday May 15th, 2024.

[Boop]

I spoke with a Metropolitan Library System employee who said that the grand opening for the Almonte library is scheduled for Wednesday May 15th, 2024.

Nice! I am looking forward to it, from what I see from the pictures, it looks like a very nice library!

[Pete]

Press release:

**********



Community invited to the Almonte Library ribbon cutting with the City of OKC, Metropolitan Library System
05/08/2024

Oklahoma City residents and friends of the Metropolitan Library System are invited to the ribbon cutting for the new Almonte Library, 2727 SW 59th St., at 10 a.m. May 15.

“The grand opening of the Almonte Library is not just about unveiling a new building; it's about opening doors to a world of knowledge, imagination, and opportunity,” CEO of Metropolitan Library System Larry White, Ph.D., said. “As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize that libraries are more than just repositories of books; they are vital community spaces that promote literacy, foster lifelong learning, and provide equal access to information for all. The Almonte Library embodies our commitment to inclusivity, digital access, and the preservation of knowledge, serving as a beacon of enlightenment and empowerment for generations to come."

The new library is over 20,000 square feet, nearly double the previous location. It features a Makerspace, podcasting studio, drive-up book drop, shaded outdoor space for story time, playground equipment and more. The library’s collection includes more than 40,000 books, magazines, DVDs and other forms of media in English, Spanish and Vietnamese. The building also features two large artworks by local OKC artists.

Muralist Scott Henderson with SCHmurals/Whiteboard Exhibits created a trompe l'oeil bookcase mural on the northeast corner of the building to celebrate Oklahoma's rich literary heritage. The three-dimensional illusion invites viewers to immerse themselves in the world of books - an added element that uses the windows to illustrate the book spines. The mural also has a space for guests in the interior to look out of, becoming the featured character in the book.
Inside the library, mother-daughter artist duo Nicole Moan and Aztrid Moan created a mosaic tile mural titled “Tree of Lanterns.” Trees are symbols of strength, growth and the interconnectedness of everything. Each tile mosaic lantern has the word “Welcome” in different languages, like Vietnamese, Burmese, Cherokee and more, to represent the surrounding population. The words are meant to greet library visitors with hospitality.
The previous Almonte Library opened in 2011 as a temporary location while Southern Oaks Library was being renovated. The temporary location was so popular that the MLS kept the temporary location in hopes of eventually building a new library. The new $6.6 million library was paid for through the voter-approved Better Streets, Safer City Bond Issue.

Almonte’s grand opening celebration

Almonte Library's grand opening celebration continues from May 16 - June 1, with ample activities for everyone. See the list of events below.

May 16 – 24: MLS Studios: Customize Your Tote Bag
May 18 from 11 a.m. – noon: Echoes of Tradition Presented by Native American Student Services
May 23 from 6 - 8 p.m.: Meet the Almonte Artists
May 23 from 4 - 6 p.m.: Recording Equipment for Beginners
May 25 from 1 - 3 p.m.: Recording Equipment for Beginners
June 1 from 1 - 3 p.m.: Summer Reading Kickoff

The complete list of future programming at Almonte Library can be found at metrolibrary.org/locations/almonte.