Ralph Ellison Library Programs and Events

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 9:00am-4:00pm) Adults

Volunteers from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available to assist people in preparing their 2011 State and Federal Income Tax Returns.

Co-Sponsor: OKC Community Action Agency and The Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service

Total Wellness

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 09:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 4, 2012 at 9:30am-10:30am) Adults

Help prevent chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease, some cancers, and asthma. Learn simple ways to a healthier lifestyle. Free classes meet one hour a week for 12 weeks. The goal of the class is for everyone to lose 5% of their body weight and become more active. Call (405) 425-4352 or email Total_Wellness@occhd.org, to register for the classes. Classes are limited to 20 participants.

Co-Sponsor: Oklahoma City-County Health Department

First Monday Gamefest

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Monday, February 6, 2012 at 4:00pm-5:30pm) Tweens and Teens

Gamfests rock! So, Ralph Ellison Library has decided to make them happen every month. Join the First Monday Gamefest and get ready to jam out to Guitarhero, dance the night away on our XBOX Kinect, make some sweet touchdowns on Madden 11, and race some cars on Mario Kart! No sign up required.

Preschool Storytime

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 10:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 10:00am-10:30am) Birth to age 5

Come join the children's librarian for some family fun with fingerplays, music, movement, books, & more! Younger and older siblings are also welcome. Because space is limited, you may want to reserve a spot by calling 606-3457 or by visiting the Information Desk.

Stomp Performance and Workshop

Tue, 07 Feb 2012 18:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 6:00pm-7:30pm) Ages 10-18

Do you have rhythm? Stomp or stepping has its roots in African foot dances as well as military exhibition drills. It is a mixture of intricate foot and hand movements that combine into a rhythmic dance. Join Edmond Santa Fe's stomp team as they perform and then stay for a workshop where you, too, can learn the basics of this popular and fun form of dancing.

Co-Sponsor: Edmond Santa Fe

Black History Month Lecture Series

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) Age 16 - older

Scholars will discuss current issues important to the black community. Audience members are encouraged to listen and discuss.

Co-Sponsor: UCO and OU

Block Party!

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 17:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, February 9, 2012 at 5:30pm-7:00pm) All Ages

Calling all builders, architects, artists, and designers! Join kids of all ages for a fun block building party and get creative with architectural blocks, baby blocks, Legos, Lincoln Logs, Mega Bloks, and more. Sure, blocks are a blast, but did you know they also enhance kids' visual-spatial, fine motor, problem-solving, math, language, and social skills? Books about building and construction will be available for creative inspiration and to check out and enjoy at home.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 9:00am-4:00pm) Adults

Volunteers from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available to assist people in preparing their 2011 State and Federal Income Tax Returns.

Co-Sponsor: OKC Community Action Agency and The Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service

Total Wellness

Sat, 11 Feb 2012 09:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 11, 2012 at 9:30am-10:30am) Adults

Co-Sponsor: Oklahoma City-County Health Department

Girls' Night

Tue, 14 Feb 2012 17:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 5:00pm-6:30pm) All Ages

Girls' Night is just around the corner! Open for girls of ALL AGES, it will be a night of bonding over hair braiding, nail painting, and henna art! Invite your sister, mom, grandma, and cousin for this spectacular event for girls only! Sign up is required. Call 424-1437.

Black History Month Lecture Series

Wed, 15 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) Age 16 - older

Scholars will discuss current issues important to the black community. Audience members are encouraged to listen and discuss.

Co-Sponsor: UCO and OU

Young Inventors

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 6:00pm-7:30pm) Age 6 and older

As part of Black History Month, we are celebrating the invaluable contributions of black inventors throughout American history. In this program, you can show your creative skills by constructing your own unique invention out of a variety of fun materials provided by the library. There's no limit to your imagination! While you're here check out some fantastic books about the lives of black inventors whose ideas and products we use every day. Who knows, you may be the next George Washington Carver or Madam C. J. Walker!

Artist Talk: Eric Humphries- "Is the Whole World on Fire?"

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, February 16, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) All Ages

Join artist Eric Humphries as he discusses his research surrounding the Tulsa Race Riots and his art exhibit: "Is the Whole World on Fire? An Artistic Interpretation of the Tulsa Race Riot 1921". Humphries' work is on display all month long at the Ralph Ellison Library.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Sat, 18 Feb 2012 09:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 18, 2012 at 9:00am-4:00pm) Adults

Volunteers from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available to assist people in preparing their 2011 State and Federal Income Tax Returns.

Co-Sponsor: OKC Community Action Agency and The Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service

Read, Share, Grow Book Club

Mon, 20 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Monday, February 20, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) Adults

Love to read and talk about stimulating (and sometimes provocative) books? Then the Ralph Ellison Library's Read, Share, Grow Book Club may be a perfect fit for you! The book for February is "Brainwashed" by Tom Burrell. Call 424-1437 or visit the library to reserve your copy of the book.

Black History Month Lecture Series

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Wednesday, February 22, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) Age 16 - older

Scholars will discuss current issues important to the black community. Audience members are encouraged to listen and discuss.

Co-Sponsor: UCO and OU

Mother Goose on the Loose

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 6:00pm-6:30pm) Birth to age 6

Hey, Diddle Diddle, Jack and Jill! You're invited to a play-based early literacy program filled with big time rhythm and rhyme. Developed by Betsy Diamant-Cohen and Barbara Cass-Beggs, Mother Goose on the Loose� (www.mgol.org) is an award-winning, research-based program for young children. Mother Goose on the Loose brings language and literacy to life by incorporating books, puppets, flannel pieces, musical instruments, movement, and more. We hope to see you there! (Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Ralph Ellison Library will welcome you!)

Scholarship Paths

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 6:30pm-8:00pm) Teens and Adults

Let instructor Francesca L. James, MBA, get you started in the right direction with Ralph Ellison Library's Scholarship Paths. Learn tips for the scholarship search, completing applications, creating activity resumes, writing essays, and preparing for interviews.

City Arts Center presents: Your Life in History

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 9:30am-12:30pm) Adults

Everyone has a story to tell. That's why the contemporary memoir has become such a popular phenomenon. In this workshop, you will learn how to focus your life stories, give them purpose and apply such craft elements as character, plot, dialogue and setting, especially pertaining to Oklahoma history. Whether you attend one or all twelve sessions, this workshop will show you how to best tell the stories of your life. Pre-registration required. Class limit - 12.

Co-Sponsor: City Arts Center

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 13:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, February 25, 2012 at 1:00pm-5:00pm) Adults

Volunteers from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available to assist people in preparing their 2011 State and Federal Income Tax Returns.

Co-Sponsor: OKC Community Action Agency and The Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service

The African American Community Diabetes Prevention Partners

Mon, 27 Feb 2012 11:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Monday, February 27, 2012 at 11:30am-12:30pm) Adults

The African American Community Diabetes Prevention Partners are comprised of representatives from community agencies, businesses, government institutions, faith-based communities, as well as vested concerned citizens. By advocating for positive health outcomes within the African American Family and by increasing public awareness of Community Sources/Resources, the Partners continue to effectively participate in multiple community sponsored events. Partners invite you to join the regularly scheduled monthly meeting on the last Monday of each month.

Co-Sponsor: Oklahoma City/County Health Department

Shinigami Anime Club

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 5:00pm-6:00pm) Tweens and Teens

If you love to read manga, watch anime, and enjoy gaming, then the Ralph Ellison Anime Club is just for you! It meets from 5-6pm on the 4th Tuesday of every month and is open for tweens and teens.

Rhythmically Speaking presents Sitting In with Clara

Tue, 28 Feb 2012 19:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 7:00pm-8:00pm) Ages 8 to Adults

Members of the Youth Council of the NAACP and Clara Luper sat down at Katz Drug Store on August 19, 1958 and ordered a Coke�. This was one of many sit-in protests in Oklahoma City which resulted in the Integration of Katz Drug Store, Split-T Drive-in, the Skirvin Hotel and hundreds of other businesses. "I'm gonna sit in with Clara 'cause I can't stand for this anymore".

Co-Sponsor: Friends of the Metropolitan Library System, Oklahoma Arts Council, National Endowment for the Arts

Black History Month Lecture Series

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Wednesday, February 29, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) Age 16 - older

Scholars will discuss current issues important to the black community. Audience members are encouraged to listen and discuss.

Co-Sponsor: UCO and OU

Bead for Life Display

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 00:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, March 1, 2012) All Ages

To go along with our Bead for Life jewelry-making program, this month we are featuring a display about handmade beads and jewelry, with a particular focus on the Ugandan women who make stunning beads as part of a nonprofit organization called BeadforLife (http://beadforlife.org/index.html). BeadforLife beads, crafted from recycled materials, are more than environmentally friendly, gorgeous, and one of a kind--they also help eradicate poverty, build the Ugandan economy, and enable families to earn money for food, shelter, education, and health care. Display runs from March 1-31.

Tai Chi: Moving for Better Balance

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 11:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 11:00am-12:00pm) Adults

This Tai Chi program is designed for mature adults who want to improve their posture, lessen joint stiffness, raise energy levels, and reduce the risk of falling.

Co-Sponsor: Oklahoma City-County Health Department

Spring Into Fitness

Thu, 01 Mar 2012 18:30:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Thursday, March 1, 2012 at 6:30pm-7:30pm) Ages 13 and older

At the Ralph Ellison Library, get an early start to shape up for bathing suit season! Let the trainers at Eastside Sooners Fitness help you burn off massive amounts of calories with their Aerobic Kickboxing and Dance Aerobics classes. Thursday nights in March.

Co-Sponsor: Eastside Sooners Fitness

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Saturday, March 3, 2012 at 9:00am-4:00pm) Adults

Volunteers from the IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program will be available to assist people in preparing their 2011 State and Federal Income Tax Returns.

Co-Sponsor: OKC Community Action Agency and The Association for the Improvement of Minorities in the Internal Revenue Service

First Monday Gamefest

Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:00:00 CDT

Ralph Ellison (Monday, March 5, 2012 at 4:00pm-5:30pm) Tweens and Teens

Gamefest rocks! So, Ralph Ellison Library has decided to make them happen every month. Join the First Monday Gamefest and get ready to jam out to Guitarhero, dance the night away on our XBOX Kinect, make some sweet touchdowns on Madden 11, and race some cars on Mario Kart! No sign up required