By Darla Shelden, Metropolis Sentinel Reporter —
OKLAHOMA CITY — Metropolitan Library System clients will get a digital look into the historical past and tradition of Deutschland as MLS kicks off a partnership with its new sister library, the Worldwide English Library in Düsseldorf, Germany.
The 2 libraries have partnered from throughout the globe to strengthen cultural understanding between the U.S. and Germany. The joint effort will cross-promote digital programming and on-line occasions that deliver the establishments’ two audiences collectively.
An Oklahoma Metropolis native, Jynon Hibbard, was a 16-year volunteer with the Worldwide English Library and member of the library’s board of trustees, initiated the partnership.
Hibbard volunteered with the Buddies of the Library Booksale for a number of years earlier than relocating to Germany 25 years in the past.
“It’s an actual privilege for me to companion with the very library that helped nurture my love for books 55-plus years in the past,” Hibbard mentioned. “And now right here I’m working with the Metro Library from 8,000 miles away. I really feel like I’ve come full circle.”
The British Forces established the Worldwide English Library in 1946 to bridge the hole between nations that have been at warfare throughout World Struggle II.
The British Occupation Workplace created Die Brücke (which means “the bridge”), a middle for group gathering, cultural occasions and a library of English books.
Right now, a world group of volunteers runs each side of the non-profit group, from buying books to programming occasions and advertising providers to the general public.
Heather Zeoli, Metro Library’s director of growth and volunteer providers, helped solidify the partnership and mentioned the connection with the Worldwide English Library furthers MLS’s mission of enriching and educating.
“It additionally provides us a possibility to interact with residents and library providers employees members overseas who have completely different views, practices, issues they embrace, and since they’re an English-speaking library, we’re capable of maximize our impression for our clients and their clients and share assets with out the necessity for translation providers,” Heather mentioned.
The partnership will strengthen Metro Library’s efforts to educate about vital occasions in German historical past, equivalent to World Struggle II and the Holocaust, which the Worldwide English Library educates about as properly, based on Heather.
“We have the Henia Ring Schiff Holocaust Useful resource Assortment at our Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, and with this library being in Düsseldorf, Germany, and a part of the origin of that library being an consequence of World Struggle II and de-Nazification,” mentioned Heather Zeoli, Metro Library’s director of growth.
“It’s a terrific alternative to proceed the dialog on this era about how we destroy hate and the way we construct wholesome communities which can be free from prejudice and racism,’ she added.
This Oklahoma-Düsseldorf connection might be step one in a sequence of sister library partnerships for MLS.
“We’d like to create extra of those relationships,” Zeoli mentioned. “It is a actually good spot for us to begin.”
The Metropolitan Library System, serving Oklahoma County residents, consists of 19 library department areas. As the biggest library system in Oklahoma, the Metropolitan Library System serves anybody who lives, attends faculty or owns property in Oklahoma County, circulating over 6 million supplies every year.
Starting this month, Metropolitan Library System libraries welcome clients to return in and “Sit and Keep.” This service consists of pc use by reservation, lecture room use, looking and restricted seating to accommodate studying and Wi-Fi utilization and duplicate/fax/scan use.
Seating might be spaced to at least one chair per desk. Computer systems are restricted to 2 (2) periods of one-hour every per day.
Masks masking the nostril and mouth are required for all Metro Library employees inside any Metro Library location and strongly additionally required for all clients.
“We invite friends to proceed to return in and use the library with extra providers obtainable on this stage,” Larry White, MLS Government Director mentioned. “With faculty out for many of the summer season, we’re glad to have extra studying areas obtainable for each college students and non-students to make use of.”
On-line providers obtainable embody LearningExpress and HelpNow for college kids, “Ebook-A-Librarian” for normal library assist, family tree assist one-on-one, Hoopla and Kanopy streaming films and television, JobNow for job and profession assist and extra.
For extra data, name 405-231-8650 or e-mail [email protected]. To be taught extra, go to metrolibrary.org.
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