Summer at the Library: Fueled by You
Our libraries are buzzing with activity this summer—welcoming visitors, inspiring creativity, and helping children grow as readers and learners.
Thanks to you, exciting programs like the systemwide Summer Learning Challenge, FanFest in Southwest OKC, and Creative Pathways in Blanchard bring people of all ages together to learn, connect, and explore.
Please keep reading to see the difference you’re making in our communities!
With gratitude,
Will Merrick
Development Officer
Fandom Meets Community at SOKC FanFest
Mark your calendar for SOKC FanFest 2025 at the Southwest OKC Public Library—a free, three-day celebration of creativity, connection, and community happening July 17–19!
The event is open to the public and each day offers something exciting for fans of all kinds:
Thursday, July 17 – Game Day: Enjoy a board game and puzzle swap, tabletop role-playing games, trading cards, video games, and board games.
Friday, July 18 – Book Day: A celebration for book lovers featuring literary-themed crafts, trivia, and sessions featuring local authors and illustrators.
Saturday, July 19 – Fandom Day: Features anime, manga, and comics, including a local artist alley, and a cosplay contest.
Launched in 2024, last year’s inaugural FanFest brought the community together in unforgettable ways.
“It was really fun to see people spotting members of their fandom from across the room and rushing over to express their enjoyment to each other. The conversations and connections made by attendees were amazing!” shared SOKC Branch Manager Kirsten Walker.
Thanks to donors like you, FanFest is becoming a standout event for the community.
“We are so excited to have support from the Foundation and others to build FanFest into a premier event. We’re able to support local artists, offer the community more ways to connect, and really take our activities up a level,” added Walker.
Events like FanFest help introduce new audiences to the library and demonstrate how public libraries create opportunities for belonging, exploration, and lifelong learning.
Visit the PLS events calendar for the complete schedule. We hope to see you there!
August is National Make-a-Will Month—a timely reminder to create or update your will. It’s a meaningful way to protect your loved ones and support the causes that matter most to you.
By including the Foundation in your estate plan, you can leave a legacy that helps ensure thriving libraries and fosters curiosity, creativity, and learning for generations to come.
Explore how a planned gift can make a lasting difference.
Nurturing Young Readers Through Art
We’re proud to support Creative Pathways at the Blanchard Public Library—a hands-on program that helps young children build early literacy skills through art-based learning.
Led by a local artist and educator, this engaging program uses painting, clay, storytelling, and nature walks to make reading fun and meaningful for children ages 3 to 7.
“Art allows children to communicate in ways that words alone might not. This process of creating helps them organize and express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and makes the learning process feel exciting and memorable,” explained Blanchard Library Associate Brook Fischer.
The first four-day session begins in July, with follow-up sessions during the school year and a final session in June 2026.
Your generosity is helping children grow in confidence, build vocabulary, and develop a lifelong love of reading. Thank you!
What’s New with the Foundation
Please join us in welcoming Kyle Caldwell and Emily Virgin to the Foundation’s Board of Directors.
Both Kyle and Emily deeply appreciate the role libraries play in creating stronger, more connected communities. Their commitment to service and unique perspectives will help shape the Foundation’s ongoing work to support literacy and a love of learning across the Pioneer Library System.
We’re grateful for their leadership and excited to have them on board!
Kyle Caldwell
OEC Fiber
Emily Virgin
Human Rights for Kids
Save the Date: Fall Events
The Foundation is proud to host these upcoming events that bring learning to life for kids and bring the community together to support our libraries. We hope you can join us!
Saturday, Sept. 27 – 20th Annual Touch A Truck
Cleveland County Fairgrounds, Norman
» Explore big trucks, emergency vehicles, and more in this hands-on experience!
Saturday, Nov. 8 – 3rd Annual Royal Games
Veterans Park, Newcastle
» Kids can enjoy games, crafts, and royal adventures!
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