Gleason Memorial Library
🏢 Jefferson County · Ringling, Oklahoma
Gleason Memorial Library
The Gleason Memorial Library has served the small Jefferson County community of Ringling, Oklahoma since the town's early decades — a town itself named for circus magnate John Ringling, who platted it in 1914 after the railroad reached his land. Open mornings on Mondays and Fridays and afternoons Tuesday through Thursday, the library on E. Main Street is Ringling's anchor for reading, research and free internet access.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–1pm |
| Tuesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Wednesday | 1pm–6pm |
| Thursday | 1pm–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–1pm |
| Saturday | Closed |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 101 E Main Street, Ringling, OK 73456
Phone: (580) 662-2925
Website: ringling.okpls.org
Plus Code: 86645CH4+2R (Ringling, OK)
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📖 About Gleason Memorial Library
Gleason Memorial Library sits on E. Main Street in Ringling, a Jefferson County community in south-central Oklahoma founded by railroad entrepreneur and circus impresario John Ringling in 1914. Ringling purchased land at the western terminus of his railroad line in April 1914, and the boomtown was incorporated in 1915; at its 1980 peak the population reached 1,561, though the 2020 census counted 869 residents. The library carries the name of a local benefactor memorialized in its founding and holds a collection of approximately 7,887 volumes. It is the principal public library for Jefferson County residents in the Ringling area and provides access to the Oklahoma Virtual Library for statewide digital content, EBSCOhost research databases, and free one-on-one computer help. Books may be checked out for two weeks with one renewal; interlibrary loan gives patrons access to titles held elsewhere in the state. The Friends of the Library organize the annual Death by Chocolate fundraiser to support library programs and collections.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named in honor of a local Ringling benefactor — the community library of Jefferson County's Ringling since the town's early years
- Located in Ringling, a town founded in 1914 by John Ringling of Ringling Brothers Circus fame, at the terminus of his railroad
- EBSCOhost database access: health, business and education full-text articles for research
- Free one-on-one computer and internet help available to patrons
- Friends of the Library host the annual Death by Chocolate fundraiser to support the collection
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Gleason Memorial Library cardholders can access statewide digital content and research databases online:
📚 Services
- 7,887-volume lending collection (2-week checkout, 1 renewal allowed)
- Interlibrary loan (first 3 items per year free, then a fee applies)
- Public computers with 30-minute access slots
- Free open Wi-Fi
- Scanning to email or flash drive ($1.00), printing (35c B&W) and copying (25c B&W)
- One-on-one computer and internet assistance
🎸 Programs
- Children's and youth reading programs
- Death by Chocolate annual Friends of the Library fundraiser
- Library Board meetings (bi-monthly, third Wednesday at 5pm)
- Community events and local programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in Southern Oklahoma
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the library called the 'Gleason Memorial Library'?
The library is named in memory of a local Ringling benefactor whose contribution made the library possible. The specific history of the Gleason namesake is part of the community's local record; for more detail, contact the library directly at (580) 662-2925 or visit ringling.okpls.org.
What are the Gleason Memorial Library's hours, and why do they change mid-week?
The library is open mornings — 9am to 1pm — on Mondays and Fridays, and afternoons — 1pm to 6pm — on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. The library is closed Saturday and Sunday. The split schedule allows the part-time staff to serve both morning and afternoon visitors across the week.
Who was John Ringling, and what does he have to do with Ringling, Oklahoma?
John Ringling (1866–1936) was co-owner of Ringling Brothers Circus and a prominent railroad entrepreneur. In April 1914 he purchased land at the western terminus of his railroad in Jefferson County, Oklahoma; a post office was established two months later and the boomtown of Ringling was incorporated in 1915. The town, and by extension its library, owe their name to the circus magnate.
Can I access digital books and databases from home with a Gleason Memorial Library card?
Yes. Library cardholders can access the Oklahoma Virtual Library (statewide eBooks and audiobooks through the Oklahoma Department of Libraries), EBSCOhost research databases, and public domain digital books from any device. Visit ringling.okpls.org for links and login information, or call (580) 662-2925 for help getting started.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.