The Active Historian

Hey, Friend! Welcome back to another post. Today, I want to show you the historic marker for the public library that was built in the 1920s in Norman, Oklahoma. Let’s get started!

Historic Marker Transcription

“The Norman Public Library was constructed in 1929 by the local construction company of Barbour and Short. Designed by the Oklahoma City architectural firm of Hawk and Parr, this building is an example of the Italian Renaissance style of architecture. 

The first public library was established in 1895 when a reading room was opened over a downtown store. Members of several women’s clubs supervised the reading room, the books being acquired through subscription and donation. Over time the library moved to such places as a photographic studio, the Episcopal Church and still later the basement of the Methodist Church. 

The Norman Library Association was formed during the 1920’s. Each member paid a one dollar membership fee, which was used to maintain the library and engage the services of a librarian. The association grew to over 400 members. By this time the library had relocated once again, to a building on the West Main Street, which served until this building was constructed. 

Members of the Norman Library Association petitioned for a special election and in November 1928, a $25,000 bond issue, to construct a municipal library, was approved by a margin of 83 votes. This site was selected on February 5, 1929 and by the end of the month preliminary plans were submitted to the building commission. Plans were finalized in mid-April and by May construction had started. On December 19, 1929, the Norman Public Library officially opened its doors to the public and continued to operate until 1966 when it moved to 225 N. Webster Avenue. This building now serves as the Norman Senior Citizen’s Center.”

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329 S Peters Ave 

Norman, OK 73069