Muskogee Public Library

Oklahoma

Muskogee County

Muskogee Public Library

Muskogee Public Library Contact Information Muskogee Public Library Address: 801 W Okmulgee Ave. Muskogee, OK 74401 Telephone: 915-682-6657 Email:MuskogeeHistory@eols.org Website Facebook Hours of Operation: Mon. Tues. Thurs. 9:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.; Wed. Fri. 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.; Sat. 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Directions/Parking Map: Description of Collections Our department provides public access to an extensive collection of over 25,000 books, covering genealogical and historical topics from 48 states. Additionally, we house the most comprehensive archive of the Muskogee Phoenix on microfilm, dating from its inception in 1888 to June 2021. Highlights of our collections include comprehensive microfilm archives, local history materials such as regional maps and photographs, a wide array of genealogical reference books and guides, and ongoing digitization projects to preserve significant historical records, such as yearbooks. Our collection is named after Grant Foreman, a local historian and a Dawes Commission field worker; we house his collection of published materials including materials by his wife, Carolyn Thomas Foreman. We also house publications by C. W. “Dub” West and also hold original manuscripts, drafts, and research done by West within our archives. Online databases include: Memory Lab Muskogee Yearbook Project Five Tribes Museum Collection Services We provide research assistance for a nominal fee of $5 per research request. If patrons require printed copies, black-and-white pages are available for $0.15 each and color pages are available for $1.00 each. Research tasks are conducted by knowledgeable paid staff members. Our department hosts workshops and programs to engage the community and support genealogical exploration. These include beginning genealogy courses for those starting their research journey, specialized workshops on topics like Bible scanning and community recipe preservation, and community events that connect participants with others interested in local and family history. We offer a variety of resources to support genealogical research. Guides and books are available for both beginners and advanced researchers. Dedicated research computers provide access to online genealogical databases, and quiet study areas offer ample space for conducting in-depth research. Equipment available to use within our department includes two microfilm readers and a book/document scanner capable of printing and saving to an external device. We also have a Memory Lab available by appointment only that allows patrons to digitize family videos, photos, documents, and more. More information about our Memory Lab can be found at eols.org/memory-lab/. Our mission is to serve as a beacon for family and local history research, creating resources that span generations. Over the next five years, we aim to digitize significant portions of our microfilm and yearbook collections to ensure long-term accessibility. We are also actively seeking grant funding to offset the costs of these digitization efforts. Additionally, we plan to expand our workshop offerings and foster stronger connections with local historical institutions. History Tips for Your Visit Guides References