Southeast Oklahoma Library System

06/22/2026

Apparently, reading has quietly become one of the latest and biggest dating green flags. 💚 Not to brag, but we libraries kiiiiinda already knew it.

Now we're not saying a library card guarantees romance...but we are saying it gives you access to thousands of conversation starters. So stop by your local library, pick up a promising book, and be ready for YOUR next potential "meet-cute."

Happy reading...oh, and may all your plot twists be good ones. 😉

It might be time to update your photos to include a book in the frame.

06/19/2026

In observance of Juneteenth, All Southeast Oklahoma Library System libraries will be closed on Friday, June 19th.

We'd like to encourage our library communities to take this time to learn about the significance of one of our country’s newest federally recognized holidays that honors such an important chapter in American history as well as the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice, and equality.

06/18/2026

Taking a moment to say goodbye to "America's Hans Christian Andersen"...

When creating the latest “Summer Reading Program 2026” issue of our library system’s “Beyond Words” magazine, we knew dinosaurs would be stomping through libraries all across our country during summer months with this year’s theme, “Unearth a Story.” So who else would we want to feature in our magazine but Jane Yolen, children’s author to over 400 books with around 30 of them being about dinosaurs (the brilliant “How Do Dinosaurs…” series)?

As our latest issue hit the stands, we have learned of Jane’s passing this last week. So, in her honor, we would like to encourage our library communities to pick up the latest issue of “Beyond Words” (available at your local library or through our digital flipbook here --> https://online.fliphtml5.com/trmqw/zqkx/ =1) and turn to page 8. Then visit your local library and check out one of Jane's books for the young readers in your life during SRP 2026 to celebrate this gifted children’s author and her lasting legacy. For those of us who know about the magic of writing, when your words are published and sent out into the world, a part of you lives forever. Thank you for your contribution to the world of children's literature, Jane.

06/03/2026

Join Us for a Community Resource Fair in LeFlore County!

Southeast Oklahoma Library System is proud to partner with local organizations to connect our communities with valuable resources, services, and support.

Library staff from Patrick Lynch, Heavener, Wister, Arkoma, and Spiro Public Libraries will work together to host this special event featuring information on health, family services, employment, housing, senior services, veterans' resources, and more.

📅 Monday, June 22, 2026
⏰ 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
📍 Patrick Lynch Public Library, Poteau

This free event is designed to connect LeFlore County residents with organizations that can help meet a variety of needs. Stop by, ask questions, gather information, and discover resources available throughout our community.

05/29/2026

Want to know why SEOLS libraries are the amazing places they are today? It's because of incredible women just like these two!

Behind every thriving library system is a strong Board of Trustees — leaders in our local communities — who step up and advocate for library services, ensure responsible stewardship of public resources, and help guide our mission! And today we want to show you two faces of our board who have worked so hard for our libraries behind the scenes and thank them for their service!

Lori Chrestman, Wilburton Trustee, and Cheryl Wood-Myers, Latimer County Trustee, both joined our board back in 2020 and have each just completed two terms with us. Thank you both for your years of service, leadership, and unwavering support of our libraries, and congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

05/25/2026

We want to pause to remember the women and men who made the ultimate sacrifice for our great country and, in honor of Memorial Day, we will be closing all Southeast Oklahoma Library System offices and libraries Monday, May 25th. We will resume regular business hours at all locations tomorrow. 🖤

05/22/2026

Wanna see how long libraries in our system have been besties?

With Armed Forces Day just a few days behind us and Memorial Day a few days ahead, we thought we'd take you back FOUR DECADES. The occasion? Armed Forces Day Parade. The year? 1986!

Enjoy our trip down memory lane!

05/22/2026

McAlester, Oklahoma was built on the railroad. Generations grew up hearing the trains pass through town, watching railcars roll by, and knowing the railroad was part of the heartbeat of (and soundtrack to) this community. So guess what just rolled into town!!!

For months we’ve been sharing progress photos of the incredible renovation happening at our McAlester Public Library location and now, for the first time, we are excited to FINALLY start sharing some of the amazing things that will soon be INSIDE the library too!

A local technology center recently handcrafted a STUNNING wooden train for the library's children’s area — a perfect tribute to McAlester's railroad roots and history — and dropped it off a few days ago (shoutout Kiamichi Tech - McAlester!). Can't you already just picture the imagination and adventures this train will inspire? Stay tuned, everyone…we’re getting SO close and cannot wait to open the doors to you!

05/20/2026

What a day! Southeast Oklahoma Library System officially welcomed Mary Kimberly Public Library - Kiowa, OK to our system and an open house and summer kickoff party were in order to celebrate! A big thank you to everyone who showed up to support our newest library and we hope the citizens of Kiowa had as much fun as we did today! We cannot wait to see this library's growing impact on its local community and will do what we can to help it succeed! 🖤💛

05/20/2026

Mary Kimberly Public Library - Kiowa, OK is OFFICIALLY Southeast Oklahoma Library System's 17th physical library location and we are absolutely THRILLED to welcome them into our library family! If you're able and curious, take the short drive over to Kiowa, OK this afternoon and check out our newest library! OPEN HOUSE starts at 1pm followed by a SUMMER READING KICKOFF PARTY at 2pm! We'll be on site and hope to see you there!

TOMORROW:
Don't miss this back-to-back double feature of fun!