TCCL News & Events

“A drum. A drum. Macbeth doth come!” to present Tulsa City-County Library’s fifth annual Renaissance Faire.

Practice your English accent and wear your favorite flowing bodice to this free, family event Oct. 3, 1-4 p.m. at the Martin Regional Library, 2601 S. Garnett Road. Celebrate all things William Shakespeare with crafts, games, music, art, entertainment and excitement for the entire family. This program is funded and sponsored by Project Teen: The Peggy V. Helmerich Special Project Fund, with special assistance from the Tulsa Library Trust and Tulsa World.

Follow characters like Shakespeare, Puck and Queen Elizabeth in search of elusive clues. The quest involves helping “Will” find the things he needs to inspire his work – a sword, a harp, some books, and a quill and parchment. Members of the School of Stage Combat will portray Shakespeare’s characters as well as provide demonstrations of swordplay. Children and teens who complete the quest receive a “bag of precious jewels” as their reward.

Participating groups include Anderson Pipe Band; The Beadles; Boy Scouts of America; Byron T. Bear; C.J. Ceramics; Dolling Dames; Embroiderers’ Guild of Oklahoma; English Speaking Union; Garage Door Marionettes; Gypsy Fire Belly Dancing; Annette Hixenbaugh, genealogist; Andrew Horski Amber and Christmas Ornaments; Lilik and Co.; Meister’s Realm; Pete the Shriner; The School of Stage Combat; The Society for Creative Anachronism; Tulsa City-County Library Reading Roadshow; Tulsa Calligraphy Guild; Tulsa Handspinners; Tulsa Handweavers; Tulsa Recorder Consort and Tulsa Woodcarvers.

“The Renaissance Faire is a chance to do something different at the library, to see a glimpse of history up close. You literally can step into a time long past and have a conversation with literary characters,” said Karl Siewert, Renaissance Faire committee chair. “This year we have a Shakespeare theme, so we are excited about bringing in Shakespeare’s characters and having a good time with them.”

Tulsa City-County Library has an extensive Shakespeare collection. Titles range from “The Young Persons Guide to Shakespeare” to “Shakespeare After Shakespeare: An Encyclopedia of the Bard in Mass Media and Popular Culture.”

For more information on library programming, call the AskUs Hotline, 596-7977, or visit the library’s Web site, www.tuslalibrary.org.

Friends are there for celebrations and in times of need, providing their knowledge, guidance and support.

For 30 years, Friends of the Rudisill Regional Library members have donated their time and talents to ensure Rudisill Regional Library, 1520 N. Hartford, remains a community gem. From shelving books and making snacks for programs to helping plan entertaining and educational program, countless Tulsans of all ages have shared their love of lifelong learning.

You are invited to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Friends of the Rudisill Regional Library during “Thirty Remarkable Years,” Oct. 4, 4-5:30 p.m. at the Rudisill Regional Library. The celebration includes a dramatization by actress Vanessa Adams-Harris; a reflection on the library’s history by Jan Keene, former Tulsa City-County Library deputy director; music by Beverly Washington and Ernestine Dillard; and poetry from a Pocket Full of Hope. The program culminates with a video documenting the 30 remarkable years. Also, see an exhibit and display featuring items from their history.

During the majority of the group’s existence, Keith Jemison has served as the Rudisill Regional Library manager. He has been an active member of the group while overseeing several renovations and expansions during his tenure.

“The Friends of the Rudisill Regional Library always have been the first to offer help for planning and assisting with library programs. Even the daunting task of packing and moving thousands of books does not steer away this group,” said Jemison. “The group has been active for long enough that we are now starting to see children of past members join the Friends. We’ve really grown to become a family volunteer organization. The best part is we all love books.”

For more information on the “Thirty Remarkable Years” celebration, call the Rudisill Regional Library, 596-7280, or visit the library’s Web site, www.tulsalibrary.org.