About Us

Library Info

The Blackwell Public library proudly serves Kay County. The library is located at the corner of West Padon Avenue and 1st Street.

Regular Library Hours

The Library is open the following times:

Library hours are subject to change and the Library may close due to inclement weather.

Holiday Closings

The Library is closed on the following holidays:

Library hours are subject to change and the Library may close due to inclement weather.

Blackwell Public Library History

For over one hundred years, Blackwell Public Library has existed in one form or another.

It has had a long and varied history as it grew from a reading room to the institution we have today. 

The library had its humble beginnings in a reading room over L&B Drug, later Lenker Drug, with the space being donated by Dr. Allen Lowery. 

In 1923, the library was moved to City Hall due to space and again, in 1926, when the library moved into a residence located where Roberts & Son Funeral Home is located today. 

The present library opened in October 1931, “Dedicated to the Cause of Education”.

The election which saw the formation of Blackwell Public Library was held on April 5, 1921, when the first amendment to the City Charter was passed.  In fact, it passed with an almost 2-1 margin.  The results were approved by the Governor on April 19 1921, and certified by Thomas N Kirby, the Chief Executive Officer of the City of Blackwell on April 22, 1921.

The Amendment to the City Charter established “a public library and reading room within the City for the use and benefits of the inhabitants of said city.”  The amendment further established an annual tax of two mills for the benefit of the “library fund” and provided for the creation of the Library Board of Directors.

The present library building was fully paid for before its opening in 1931. In October of 2031, our building will turn 100 years old.

We have a time capsule that was purchased in Memory of Linda Mayden, BPL Head Librarian/Director from 2007-2017. It will rest in its spot until 2047, where there will be an opening ceremony and the contents will be put on display.

Whenever you stop by to visit take a moment to reflect on hers, as well as all librarians past and future’s dedication to the cause of education, inclusion and literacy. 


LIBRARIANS

Sybil Neal (Mrs. Joe Christy) was the first librarian of Blackwell Public Library.

She was replaced by Mrs. R.M. Parkhurst in 1923.   She served as head librarian for 26 years and made the reading room into the early stages of an actual library. 

Over the past 100 years, the library has seen many improvements, additions, programming, technical upgrades, and not to mention the hundreds of thousands of books that have made their way through the minds and hands of Blackwell’s residents.

We strive to keep up with the times and continue to provide our city with the knowledge and love of literacy for another 100 years!

Meet Our Staff

Stop in anytime to see us!!

Library Director/Head Librarian: Tina Cavin

Tina has been with the library since November 2019. She started off part-time as a library clerk, and assistant in the children’s section. She eventually worked up to receiving her Librarian Certificate, and has been the Library Director/Head Librarian since April 2022. She loves ordering new books for the library and seeing how excited everyone is, young and old, to find exactly the right book or program they were looking for from BPL!

Director of Operations: Talyn Spence

Talyn has been with the library since April of 2022. Before moving over to the library, she worked for the City of Blackwell in Administration since 2019. Talyn is responsible for making all of the fun community events and other planning and details that you see happen! She is a go-getter, and brings fun new ideas to the library constantly!

Children’s Circulation Librarian: Jessica Lux

Jessica has been with the library since August of 2019. She started out as a library clerk in the children’s section, and has since worked her way up to earning a Librarian Certification. She is the face of story time, STEM activities and other children’s fun! She loves meeting new people and kids! Catch her downstairs, reading, and doing crafts with Blackwell’s youth.

Adult Circulation Librarian: Candace Scheller

Candy has been with the library since August of 2019. She is the first smiling face you will see when you walk in the front doors. She will help you with copies, faxes, and even finding that book you’ve been wanting to read! Candy loves helping our patrons, and loves to read, and sing.

Library Board

Board Members:

Rebecca Hutton- Chair

Julia Stuever- Vice Chair

Ray Schrek

Terrie Grell

Brenda Pennington

Brenda McGuire

The Library Board meets monthly on the last Wednesday of the month, unless it falls on a scheduled holiday, at 4:00 pm in the library.


Meeting dates for 2025 are:

No meetings will be held, unless an important issue arises, in the months of November and December.


General Agenda Items

Get a Current Agenda Emailed to You

Email us at librarydirector@blackwellok.org with your contact information.

 

Oklahoma Library Laws, Rules and Regulations

This is unofficial compilation of links leading to sections of the Oklahoma Constitution, Oklahoma Statutes (primarily Title 65) and Oklahoma Administrative Code (primarily Titles 60 and 405) relating to operation of the Library. It does NOT include all statutes, rules, ordinances, or bylaws that may apply to a specific situation. It is intended as a convenient reference, not as a replacement for the official versions of these publications. It should not be substituted for advice of legal counsel.

This information is being provided to comply with the Oklahoma Government Website Information Act (House Bill No 2698, 2010).

Laws and Regulations Affecting Oklahoma Libraries

Open Meetings Act

Open Records Act

Note the following explanations of citation abbreviations:
O.S. = Oklahoma Statutes
Okla. Const. = Oklahoma Constitution
OAC = Oklahoma Administrative Code