Chickasha Public Library’s Services and Community Impact
The Chickasha Public Library, which has the distinction of being the first free library in what was then Indian Territory, was founded as a Carnegie Library on March 23, 1905. This library has operated continuously for 115 years, and has grown and developed as new technology, resources, and information becomes available, and is a vital part of the educational and cultural landscape of this community.
The library provides a variety of information, services, and resources for both education and recreational purposes to the residents of Chickasha and Grady County. These services provide personal, social, and economic benefits in many different ways.
Since the beginning, the Chickasha Public Library has offered access to books and other printed material. Library cards are free for anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in Grady County, and each person can check out up to 20 items at a time. Besides printed books, there are audio books on CD, Playaways, magazines, and kits available.
Due to COVID-19, the library’s services are currently being delivered in modified ways to ensure public safety. Individuals can call and reserve an appointment to visit the library to browse, check out books, or use the computer during available days and times. Books can also be requested and held for curbside pickup either by phone or online through the library’s catalog. Additional curbside services include printing (documents can be emailed to chickashapubliclibraryprinting@gmail.com), copying, and short-term laptop usage. There is also a notary service free of charge.
The library’s virtual services have been widely utilized during the pandemic. Ebooks, audio books, and magazines are available through the Oklahoma Virtual Library and can be read on your Kindle, phone, tablet, or computer. Sign in with your Chickasha Public Library card and then enter the last four digits of that number as the PIN.
For those wanting to supplement online learning, Universal Class is a database containing over 500 courses (free with your library card) that cover academic subjects, technology usage, health, finance, workplace skills, and recreational hobbies. Once completed, each course provides a certificate and CEUs that can be used for continuing education credits. History and genealogy researchers can benefit from EBSO Host, OK2Explore, ProQuest Black Freedom Struggle, and Oklahoma Digital Prairie. Free streaming movies are available through Kanopy. These databases and more can be found on the E-Resources tab on the library’s homepage. Ancestry is also available at home for the duration of the pandemic and can be accessed by signing into your account on the library’s homepage.
Regular programs, including Tai Chi and classes from the Oklahoma Healthy Aging Initiative, are currently accessible through Zoom. Those who are interested in health literacy can participate in a community walking challenge, watch videos with healthy recipes on the library’s Facebook page, and check out kits with information about healthy living.
Finally, anyone can call or email the library and receive information and help from the staff. We will work to find new and innovative ways to search for answers to questions, find resources, help navigate the vast world of online information, and to provide contact information for official organizations. For more information about any of these programs or services, please call the Chickasha Public Library at 405-222-6075.