Summer Reading Volunteer Drive 2024

The search for our 2024 Summer Reading Volunteers has begun! The volunteers will mainly be focused on the Summer Reading Challenge and Summer Reading Events. If you are 12 or older and are interested please fill out the application below and return it to the library. There are applications at the library for use.

If you are over 18, you will need to complete a background check. Looking forward to working with you!

Crowns Tea 2024

The Crowns Tea is on Saturday, February 24, from 1-3pm. The Guthrie Public Library will host our 8th, The Crowns Tea. This event is based on the book “Crowns:  Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats” by Michael Cunningham and Craig Marberry. This year’s theme is “A Crown Can Change it All.” Attendees will partake of drinks, hors d’oeuvres and entertainment. All attendees must wear a hat (church hat is preferred). To attend, register at the library or call 405-282-0050.

This is Thick Descriptions Event

This event is funded by the Oklahoma Humanities

2024 Friends of the Library Book Sale

Annual meeting of the Friends of the Guthrie Public Library is Friday, February 2, 2024 at 7pm. Members presale to follow.

The public sale will be on Saturday, February 3, 2024 from 8am to 5pm.

The sale is located at: First United Presbyterian Church, 102 E Noble, Guthrie, OK 73044 in the Fellowship Hall.

Volunteers needed to set up for sale, Friday at 10am and to clean up, Saturday at 4pm. Call the Guthrie Public Library for more information at 405-282-0050.

2023 Cookie Contest

Welcome Bakers to the 5th Annual Cookie Contest!

This delicious contest consists of 3 categories:

  • Chocolate Chip
  • Sugar Cookie
  • Open Class (All other traditional, nontraditional, and family favorite cookies)

Submissions will be accepted starting at 11AM and must be turned in by 12PM December 9th. Judging will start promptly at 12PM. There will be 8 judges, to serve as a head count for cookies to bring, we are sure there will be volunteers to see to any extra cookies.

Awards will be given out after judging has been calculated, including Judges Favorite.

Email Miss Kris at kkutay@cityofguthrie.com for questions and more info

6th Annual Chili Cook-off

On Thursday, December 7 at 6pm the 6th Annual Chili Cook-off begins!
Here is what you need to know:

  • Entries are signed up the night of the event.
  • There will be judging for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, most spicy, and judges favorite.
  • You will be allowed to taste the competition so bring enough to share!

Halloween Costume Swap

Re-Spook, Re-Scare, Re-Wear!

On Thursday, September 28, from 1PM – 7PM, Bring in your gently used costumes (sizes newborn to adult). For each costume donated you will receive a swap ticket that you can exchange for a “New to You” costume. Donations do not guarantee finding a costume. 7 – 8PM, free for all, first come first serve.

There will be a special decorations area for those that wish to swap decorations.

Email Miss Kris for more info at kkutay@cityofguthrie.com

6th Annual Cheesecake Contest

It is National Cheesecake Day on July 30! To celebrate we are holding our annual contest on Saturday, July 29, at 11am. To enter all that is need to do is show up with a homemade cheesecake the day of the event! Judging will begin at 11:15am. Cheesecakes are judged on presentation, texture, and taste. Prizes to the top three cheesecakes! Looking forward to seeing you!

Read Across Oklahoma

Read Across Oklahoma Returns to the Oklahoma City Zoo with a Free Book Giveaway and Online Activities

Read Across Oklahoma, the state’s premier literacy event for kindergarten and early grade children, returns on Tuesday, April 11 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. with a free book giveaway at the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden. The first 1,500 children with paid Zoo admission or a ZOOfriends membership pass will receive a free book and are invited to participate in a variety of interactive learning stations.

Families and classrooms can also participate virtually by visiting the Oklahoma Department of Libraries (ODL) website at oklahoma.gov/libraries/read to enjoy a special video of children’s author Betty Selakovich Casey reading this year’s featured book, That is a Hat. Online visitors will also enjoy seeing select OKC Zoo animals and habitats as part of the video.

Read Across Oklahoma is part of the statewide My First Library program coordinated by ODL, an early literacy initiative that helps develop literacy skills and promotes family reading. During a regular school year, the program distributes 1,900 books each month to early learning classrooms.

“Children who are exposed to books at an early age and have books to call their own, develop better vocabularies and are better prepared for school,” said Leslie Gelders, literary resources coordinator at ODL. “Getting books into the hands of young children is essential, and our partnership with the Zoo is an important avenue to help children discover the wonderful world of books.”

“The Zoo is always excited to support Read Across Oklahoma,” said Candice Rennels, OKC Zoo’s director of public relations. “Seeing the animals at the Zoo, taking home a book, and participating in activities that celebrate reading makes for a wonderful day of discovery for young children.”

That is a Hat, by Tulsa author and illustrator Betty Selakovich Casey, is a great feature book for this year’s event, Gelders said. “The Read Across Oklahoma committee selected this book because of Casey’s beautiful illustrations and charming story.” The book is available for purchase at Full Circle Bookstore in Oklahoma City, or at your favorite local bookstore and online.

The virtual side of the event provides opportunities for children and classrooms across Oklahoma to participate, Gelders said. “The online activities we provided during the pandemic proved to be very popular, and we wanted to continue this opportunity for young people to connect to the event no matter where they live in the state.”

Visit oklahoma.gov/libraries/read to find the virtual activities. Families planning a visit to the Zoo can purchase their tickets in advance at www.okczoo.org/tickets. Families can also continue the reading adventure by visiting their local public library to find books and services for all ages.

Additional Read Across Oklahoma sponsors include the Oklahoma City Zoo, Target, Tinker Federal Credit Union, Krueger Foundation, Institute of Museum and Library Services, Oklahoma Literacy Coalition, OKC Metro Literacy Coalition, Oklahoma City Public Schools, Capitol Hill High School, Whiz Kids, Metro Technology Centers, Junior League of Oklahoma City, Capitol Hill Graffix, OK Complete Health, OETA, Metropolitan Library System, Northwest Classen High School, Rotary Club of North OKC, and Pizza Hut.

For more information about Read Across Oklahoma, contact Judy Tirey at judy.tirey@libraries.ok.gov or call 405-521-2034.

The Oklahoma Department of Libraries is the official State Library of Oklahoma. It serves the information and records management needs of state government, assists with public library development, coordinates library and information technology projects for the state, and serves the general public through its specialized collections.

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is located at the crossroads of I-44 and I-35. The Zoo is a proud member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the American Alliance of Museums, Oklahoma City’s Adventure District and an Adventure Road partner. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily with the last entry at 4:00 p.m.  Regular admission is $12 for adults and $9 for children ages 3-11 and seniors ages 65 and over. Children two and under are admitted free. Visit okczoo.org for more information.

A former middle school, high school, and college teacher, Betty Selakovich Casey is the editor of TulsaKids, a monthly award-winning parenting magazine. Her other books include The Prince of the Prairie (2017) and May Finds Her Way (2013). Her forthcoming book will be the picture book The World is Blue (RoadRunner Press, Spring 2024) with Oklahoma musician Cindy Parks. The book will be Cindy’s debut and the story is based on one of her original songs with the same title and Betty’s illustrations accompanying.