Library Centennial 2023

The Stillwater Public Library is celebrating its 100-year anniversary in 2023! The library staff and board members invite you to be a part of the celebration to commemorate the last 100 years and to help sustain the library for 100 more.

When the first library opened in 1923, the City of Stillwater hired Mrs. Harriet Woodring to check out books to the community. Today, we still check out books to community members—although it's now 350,000 books each year rather than a couple hundred. Over the last century, our role has grown beyond checking out books to include everything from computer tutoring and troubleshooting to early childhood literacy and serving as the community's hub for information, opportunities, and empowerment.

Check this page often and follow the library on Facebook for updates about planned events. Visit our Library History page for more photos and details.

Upcoming Events

The library has already celebrated our Centennial with several exciting community events, including a Library Lock-in, a StorySLAM and Centenni-Ale Fundraiser at Iron Monk, and a trip back to the 1920s when the library was founded at the Stillwater History Museum at the Sheerar. We still have more planned for the rest of 2023. 

• Haunted Library - Fundraiser sponsored by Oklahoma Community Credit Union (October 19-21 @ SPL) - Ever heard that the library was haunted? Come and see if it is true! Sponsored by Oklahoma Community Credit Union.
  • Tickets: $5 for ages 12 & under and $10 for ages 13 & up (Please note that online ticket purchases will incur a 3%, with a $1 minimum, processing fee)
  • Notes:
    • ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED. At this time, we do not anticipate selling tickets at the door.
    • Please be at the library 15 minutes prior to your scheduled tour. Refunds are not available for late arrivals.
    • Late arrivals can only be rescheduled if spots are open.
    • Each tour includes spaces for 6 people.
  • Tour times:
    • 5:30-7:30 p.m. Lower scare tours are recommended for ages 8 & up. Includes spooky atmosphere and scenes, dark lighting, and blood splotches. No jump scares, but spooky costumed actors will be talking to attendees.
    • 8-10 p.m. Moderate scare tours are recommended for ages 13 & up. Includes jump scares and moderate gory objects
  • Haunted Library Description: The Haunted Library starts with the Cemetery of Authors, moves through the eerie library, and opens up into the Hall of Horror Stories, a 300-foot maze taking participants through living scenes of seven spine-chilling tales, including Hansel & Gretel, Macbeth, Dracula, and Harry Potter.
  • Other activities:
    • Storytime Room no scare mini-maze for children not ready for the Haunted Library (No ticketing required)
    • Carnival games
    • Refreshments for purchase
  • Accessibility:
    • Wheel-chair accessible with 36-inch wide maze paths
    • No strobe lights
  • Partners: Thank you to our community partners for helping bring the Haunted Library alive!
    • Oklahoma Community Credit Union
    • OSU Department of Theatre, Prairie Arts Center, Town & Gown, and Stillwater NewsPress
    • Lowe's and Douglas Building Center