McAlester Public Library
🏢 Southeast Oklahoma Library System · McAlester, Oklahoma
McAlester Public Library
Serving Pittsburg County since 1905, the McAlester Public Library traces its roots to 750 books donated by the McAlester Fortnightly Club. A Carnegie grant funded the town's first proper library building in 1914; a successor facility opened at 401 N. 2nd Street in 1970 and is now undergoing a $9-million renovation to expand it from 24,000 to nearly 28,000 square feet, with four meeting rooms, STEM labs and a Digi Lab media-conversion suite.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–6pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–6pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–6pm |
| Thursday | 9am–6pm |
| Friday | 9am–6pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 401 N 2nd Street, Mcalester, OK 74501
Phone: (918) 426-0930
Website: seolibraries.com
Plus Code: 8666W6PM+4C (Mcalester, OK)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About McAlester Public Library
The McAlester Public Library is the anchor branch of the Southeast Oklahoma Library System (SEOLS), which was founded in 1967 as the Choctaw Nation Library System and now serves seven counties across southeastern Oklahoma. The library's story begins in 1905, when the McAlester Fortnightly Club donated 750 volumes and lobbied for public funding; by 1914 a Carnegie grant of $25,000 produced the city's first dedicated library building. The current structure at 401 N. 2nd Street opened on April 7, 1970, and houses the SEOLS administrative offices. A community-led $9-million renovation campaign launched in 2022 with pledges from SEOLS, the Puterbaugh Foundation, the Fugitt Foundation and the City of McAlester; construction began in November 2023. While the renovation is underway, the library is temporarily operating from 520 E. Smith Avenue (the former Edmond Doyle Elementary School). The library offers notary service and a Digi Lab for transferring analog media to digital formats, and the SEOLS catalog and OverDrive digital collection are open to all cardholders.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1905 by the McAlester Fortnightly Club with 750 donated volumes — the oldest public library in Pittsburg County
- Carnegie Library (1914) preceded the current 1970 building at 401 N. 2nd Street, home of Southeast Oklahoma Library System headquarters
- $9-million renovation (underway 2023–2025) will expand the building to 27,800 sq ft with STEM labs, four meeting rooms and 65 parking spaces
- Digi Lab converts VHS tapes, slides and other analog media to digital — available by appointment
- Notary public service available on site (call ahead recommended)
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
McAlester cardholders can read, listen, research and learn online through the SEOLS digital collection:
📚 Services
- Notary public service (call ahead recommended)
- Digi Lab — convert VHS, slides and analog media to digital formats (by appointment)
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- Meeting rooms and study spaces
- Interlibrary loan through SEOLS
- Genealogy and local history research assistance
🎸 Programs
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Teen programs and summer reading
- Adult programs and author events
- Pittsburg County Genealogical and Historical Society monthly talks
- STEM and technology learning activities
📍 Nearby Libraries in Eastern Oklahoma
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in Mcalester · Browse all Oklahoma libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the McAlester Public Library back at 401 N. 2nd Street after the renovation?
The library is undergoing a $9-million renovation at its permanent address of 401 N. 2nd Street; during construction it is operating from a temporary location at 520 E. Smith Avenue (the former Edmond Doyle Elementary School). The renovation project, which expanded the building from 24,000 to 27,800 square feet, was scheduled for completion in 2025. Call (918) 426-0930 or check seolibraries.com for the current location and hours.
Does the McAlester Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. The library offers notary public service; it is recommended that you call ahead at (918) 426-0930 to confirm availability and schedule an appointment.
What is the Digi Lab at McAlester Public Library?
The Digi Lab is a media-conversion service at the McAlester branch that helps you transfer analog content — such as VHS tapes, slides and cassettes — to digital formats. Appointments are recommended; call (918) 426-0930 for availability.
How old is the McAlester Public Library, and what was its Carnegie connection?
The library was founded in 1905 by the McAlester Fortnightly Club. Andrew Carnegie funded a $25,000 building that opened in 1914 as the city's first dedicated library; that historic building was replaced in 1970 by the current facility on N. 2nd Street, which the Southeast Oklahoma Library System has operated for more than 50 years.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📜 This library has genealogy & local-history resources. See how library family-history research works and find other libraries with genealogy collections genealogy libraries by state.
🖨 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.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.