Okemah Public Library
🏢 City of Okemah · Okemah, Oklahoma
Okemah Public Library
Okemah Public Library occupies a striking Works Progress Administration rock building constructed in 1937 — just one block east of where Woody Guthrie was born. A portrait of the folk-music legend hangs over the adult reading room fireplace, and on October 5, 2001, Friends of Libraries USA designated Okemah a Literary Landmark in Guthrie's honor, making this library one of the rare public buildings tied to a figure on the National Folk Register.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Tuesday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Wednesday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Thursday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Friday | 10am–5:30pm |
| Saturday | 9am–12pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 301 S 2nd Street, Okemah, OK 74859
Phone: (918) 623-1915
Website: okemah.okpls.org
Plus Code: 8675CMFW+66 (Okemah, OK)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About Okemah Public Library
The Okemah Public Library serves Okfuskee County from a historic WPA-era rock building at 301 S. 2nd Street in Okemah, Oklahoma. The library was established in 1927 by local organizations and citizens, opening on April 9, 1927, in a gift shop with Mary Hudson as its first librarian. It relocated to a city-owned building later that year, then moved in 1937 into its current rock structure — built through the Works Progress Administration — with an addition completed in the 1960s. The library holds a collection of roughly 23,000 volumes and a meaningful local archive: Woody Guthrie, the Okfuskee County native who became one of America's greatest folk musicians, was born one block east of the building. His portrait hangs over the fireplace mantle in the adult reading area, and the library preserves donated materials relating to Guthrie, including books, albums and his Okemah High School yearbook. In 2001 the site was designated a Literary Landmark by Friends of Libraries USA (FOLIO), one of very few in Oklahoma. The adjacent Benson Family Media Center at 202 S. 3rd Street expands library services with additional computers, a Telehealth booth and a Digital Navigator program.
⭐ What makes this library special
- WPA rock building (1937) on the National Register — one of Oklahoma's most distinctive library structures
- Founded April 9, 1927 — serves Okfuskee County from the same historic building for nearly 90 years
- Woody Guthrie Literary Landmark (2001): the folk legend was born one block east; his portrait and high school yearbook are held here
- Benson Family Media Center (202 S. 3rd St): Telehealth kiosk with vital-sign monitoring, Digital Navigator and 6 public computers
- Brainfuse HelpNow, JobNow and VetNow provide free live tutoring, career coaching and veteran assistance
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Okemah cardholders can access statewide digital resources, tutoring and research databases online:
📚 Services
- 23,000-volume general collection with new acquisitions displayed at the front entrance
- Public computers, free Wi-Fi and in-library printing (25c B&W, $1.50 color)
- Interlibrary loan for titles not in the local collection
- Library cards free for Okfuskee County residents (two forms of ID required)
- Benson Family Media Center (202 S. 3rd St) with Telehealth kiosk, 6 computers and Digital Navigator
- Used book sale
🎸 Programs
- Children's and youth programs
- Summer reading
- Woody Guthrie collection and Literary Landmark programming
- Library Board meetings (4:30pm, second Thursday of February, May, August and November)
📍 Nearby Libraries in East-Central Oklahoma
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Woody Guthrie connection to the Okemah Public Library?
Woody Guthrie — the Okfuskee County native who wrote 'This Land Is Your Land' and became one of America's greatest folk musicians — was born on July 14, 1912, one block east of the library's current building. The library preserves a portrait of Guthrie over the adult reading room fireplace, along with donated books, albums and his Okemah High School yearbook. In 2001 Friends of Libraries USA designated the site a Literary Landmark in his honor.
How old is the Okemah Public Library's rock building?
The current building was constructed in 1937 through the Works Progress Administration (WPA) — a New Deal federal jobs program. The library itself was founded a decade earlier, on April 9, 1927. A 1960s addition expanded the historic rock structure, which remains the library's home today.
What is the Benson Family Media Center, and how is it different from the library?
The Benson Family Media Center (202 S. 3rd Street, Okemah) is a separate facility operated by the library system, open Wednesday–Friday 10am–5:30pm. It offers six public computers, free Wi-Fi, wireless printing, Chromebooks for in-house use, a Digital Navigator for technology help and a Telehealth kiosk with vital-sign monitoring equipment (blood pressure, pulse, thermometer, scale) for virtual medical appointments.
Does the Okemah Public Library offer free tutoring?
Yes. Through Brainfuse HelpNow, cardholders can access free live online tutoring in math, science, writing and other subjects for all ages, available 24/7. Brainfuse JobNow provides career coaching and resume help, and Brainfuse VetNow offers targeted resources for veterans in career transition — all free with an Okemah library card.
🖨 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.