Pioneer Library System

Programs and services of the Norman Public Library are going beyond the library walls with new technologies and traditional services. The Sooner Mall, 3301 W Main, of Norman is now home to a children's story time, innovative book boxes, and a drop box to return library materials. B&B Country Store, 3831 Alameda, now features a book delivery locker and a book drop for library customers near Lake Thunderbird.

Tuesdays at 10 a.m. is story time in the mall in front of Sears. Librarians Charlotte Gordon and Susan Lura lead the preschool age story time. Each week’s activities are centered on a single theme. In addition to reading books, Miss Charlotte and Ms. Susan (as they are called by the children) play music for the children, sing and dance with the children, and tell stories of their own creation using laminated paper figures on a whiteboard. Next to the story time area at the mall, a table is set up displaying children’s books from the library for parents to check out.

Customers can also have books delivered to them via book boxes at the mall, which function much like luggage lockers in airports. Picking up the items is as easy as requesting them. The book boxes are convenient for anyone who has a difficult time getting to the library. Working in tandem with the book boxes, the Sooner Mall also has a book drop for returning library materials outside the northeast mall entrance near Sears.

Book boxes and book drops have also been installed at B&B Country Store, 3831 Alameda, on the east side of Norman. Pat Beasler, owner of B&B Country Store is happy to have the lockers in her store. Beasler said that she has noticed many customers using the book lockers at her store.

For more information about the programs and services offered through the Norman Public Library, call 701-2646, or visit the library at 22.N. Webster in downtown Norman