LOC Digital Innovation Division staff chat with local artists and artisans during a recent co-creation planning visit to Muskogee.
Muskogee Public Library is one of just two locations chosen nationwide by the Library of Congress (LOC) to participate in their LOCal pilot program. A branch in the Eastern Oklahoma System, this local library shows how services are constantly evolving to build vibrant communities. Muskogee staff have partnered with the LOC digital innovation division to co-create an immersive experience for customers.
What will that look like? Wendy Burton, Marketing Manager at Eastern Oklahoma Library System (EOLS), shared on behalf of the system that they have plans for an interactive space where guests can step inside one of the LOC digital collections.
Based on similar projects, this exhibit is sure to bring in the crowds. Take the BAND at Cleveland Library for example—fluffy robots that greet customers, dance, and roam the halls. Past team-ups with the Library of Congress include Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's Living Nations, Living Words: a story map and anthology of Native poets.
The Muskogee LOCal project is made possible by grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and other supporters. Muskogee's library mission goes beyond opening doors to the imagination—as Wendy explained:
"The role of libraries will always build on the services we are known for (reading materials, educational resources, and classes), but libraries have also evolved to meet technological needs and welcome younger demographics."
Wendy continued, stating that libraries are "community centers that not only serve but also uplift and brighten the community." She looks forward to the project launch, because it will put them on the map as a destination library and spark engagement with the Muskogee community as a whole.
Stay tuned for updates on this thrilling initiative! Libraries large and small help connect us with emerging technologies and helpful tools, keeping Oklahoma on the technological forefront.
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