Wewoka Public Library, a proactive cornerstone of its community, is expanding programs with funding from the Jearl Smart Foundation. This foundation focuses on "promoting charitable and educational endeavors in Seminole County" and has made two donations to Wewoka's library in recent years.
The initial gift enabled staff to offer virtual services through Libby, a library reading app. Thanks to this resource, library cardholders can access eBooks, audiobooks, and more via the Oklahoma Virtual Library!
The foundation's most recent contribution funded the purchase of a smart board along with other recreational and educational supplies. Peighton Allen, director of Wewoka Public Library, explains that the new equipment will open up exciting possibilities for programming. This smart board will enhance everything from story time and crochet club to virtual museum tours and the upcoming Adulting 101 class. It will also serve as a valuable teaching tool for educators at online charter schools, helping them invest in their students' success.
Young Oklahomans benefit not only from their library's educational support but also its social events. "To see library kids and their grown ups enjoying stories, games, and crafts is something that brings me so much joy," says Allen. "Library kids become library adults who bring THEIR kids, keeping this place open and active."
Out of dedication to the local community, Wewoka staff and volunteers have made programming available at no cost—sometimes paying out of their own pockets to maintain these crucial services.
People of all ages need somewhere to connect and learn, and libraries foster such a space with few to no financial barriers. Libraries empower their customers by providing technology, educational resources, and a social outlet. Allen puts it this way: "Libraries have never just been about books, and even more so now. They’re community hubs—safe spaces for people to just exist. Seeing the weight of the world lift from someone’s shoulders when they walk through the door knowing they’ll get the help or information they need is the best part of my job." Thanks to the generosity of donors like the Jearl Smart Foundation, Wewoka Public Library continues to be a vital gathering place in the heart of Oklahoma.
.png)