Library

The Ponca City Library has been a cornerstone of the community since before statehood. In 1904, the women of the Twentieth Century Club organized the first public library in the back of an insurance office on Grand Avenue. Later in 1910, the City's first library building was constructed on the corner of Fifth Street and Grand Avenue, through the generosity of Andrew Carnegie.

As Ponca City grew, so did the need for a larger library. In 1935, the City purchased additional land, with a grant from the Public Works Administration, to build an 18,000 square foot facility in the previous library's location. Another important milestone was marked in 1989 with the complete renovation of the building and a 10,000 square foot addition. The 1989 addition respects the character and integrity of the older facility, and the new area has been carefully planned to complement the grace and grandeur of the original structure. The buff brick masonry of the 1935 building was continued in the expansion, as are several of the distinctive features of the original architecture: including, the arches over the Grand Avenue entrance, the ornate terra cotta windows, and the high ceilings.

The Library offers numerous free services including:

Reading Materials

• Books for Children and Adults
• Novels
• History
• Biographies
• Paperback Books
• Magazines (current and back issues)
• Newspapers
• Picture Books
• Easy Readers

Special Collections

• Genealogy and Family History
• Oklahoma Collection
• Large Print Books
• Young Adult Collection
• Oklahoma and Out-of-State Telephone Directories
• Business Reference Sources
• Richard Gordon Matzene Art Collection

Audio-visual Materials

• Audio Cassettes
• Video Cassettes
• Books on Cassettes
• Children's Filmstrips and Projectors
• Children's Puzzles, Toys and Games
• Microfilm of Census and Area Newspapers
• Typewriters for Public Use
• VCR Player and Monitor
• Cassette Players and Headphones
• Apple II Microcomputer

Special Services

• Interlibrary Loan Service
• Televised Instruction System
• Book Delivery to Homebound
• State and Federal Tax Forms
• Adult Literacy Tutoring
• Memorial Book Plan
• College Catalogs on Microfiche
• Story Hours for Preschoolers
• Adult Discussion Groups
• Book Talks

Circulation Policy

Library cards are issued to area residents upon request. Children must be able to sign their full name. Lost cards are replaced for a small fee. Library cards entitle patrons to check out an unlimited number of books and two audio cassettes for two weeks. Video cassettes may be checked out, two at a time, for two days.

Although there are no fines for other overdue materials, return notices are sent out regularly; library patrons will be billed for material not returned. For convenience, there is a drive-up book return in the alley on the north side of the building.

Open Daily

Monday - Thursday
9:00 a.m.- 9:00 p.m.

Friday
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Saturday
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday
2:00 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
(Closed Sundays June-August)

Matzene Art Collection

Visitors to the Ponca City Library will instantly realize that the Library serves the community by providing more than books - it is the home of the unique Richard Gordon Matzene Art Collection of oriental and western art. In addition, outside the west entrance of the library is Jo Saylor's bronze statute entitled "Through the Eyes of a Child." Guided tours of the artwork may be arranged by advance reservation and self-guided tour brochures are available.

City Documents

City of Ponca City documents are available at the library in the Ponca City Government Information section of the Reference Department.

Department Management

Library Director: Holly LaBossiere
Phone: 580-767-0345
Fax: 580-767-0377
Location: 515 E. Grand Avenue
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1450
Ponca City, Oklahoma 74602