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Metropolitan Library System Podcast

62 episodes - English - Latest episode: 4 days ago - ★★★★★ - 16 ratings

The Metro Library podcast celebrates Oklahoma arts, Oklahoma culture, Oklahoma history and the lives of influential Oklahomans today

History Education oklahoma influentialoklahomans metro metrolibrary metropolitanlibrarysystem oklahomaarts oklahomaauthors oklahomacity oklahomacounty oklahomaculture
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Episodes

Poetry in Oklahoma City (featuring Red Dirt Poetry)

April 15, 2024 11:00 - 24 minutes - 22.5 MB

April is poetry month, so on this month's podcast we're joined by poets Durell Carter and Yoko Hill to talk about their organization, Red Dirt Poetry, and the wealth of talented poets currently writing in Oklahoma.

Metro Library Podcast: Women's History Month

March 15, 2024 11:00 - 18 minutes - 16.6 MB

On this month's episode we talk about some of the books and movies available at the library by and about women, many of them about women with interesting Oklahoma ties. 

The Dunning Collection

February 15, 2024 12:00 - 23 minutes - 21.3 MB

In this month's episode, some of the librarians from the Metropolitan Library System's Special Collections team talk to us about the library's John Dunning III Collection, a collection of thousands of Oklahoma City items housed in the library's archive.  If you'd like to learn more about what is in the collection, you can contact the Special Collections department at [email protected], and you can find any of the items in the collection that have been made available for ...

Metro Library Podcast: The Best of 2023

January 15, 2024 12:30 - 28 minutes - 26.3 MB

In this episode we talk about some of our favorite things that came to the library in 2023.

The Red Andrews Christmas Dinner

December 15, 2023 12:30 - 16 minutes - 15.5 MB

Over 70 years ago in Oklahoma City a fight promoter/state legislator named Red Andrews started inviting people to an annual Christmas dinner that has gone on every year since, and has grown to a crowd of nearly 6,000 people annually. In this episode of the podcast Mary Blankenship-Pointer from the Red Andrews Christmas Dinner foundation talks with us about who Red Andrews was, and the history of this Oklahoma City Christmas tradition.

Metro Library Podcast: Cookbooks

November 15, 2023 12:00 - 16 minutes - 14.8 MB

On this month's episode we talk about our favorite cookbooks available for check out from the library just in time for all of those family holiday get togethers coming up.

Metro Library Podcast: Banned Books Week

September 15, 2023 11:00 - 17 minutes - 13.9 MB

With Banned Books Week coming up, we talked with Janeal and Melissa from the library's Collection Development department about book challenges and how the library handles them.

Where is Oklahoma?

August 15, 2023 11:00 - 27 minutes - 22 MB

In this month's podcast librarians Sheldon and Juliana discuss what part of America Oklahoma belongs to. Is Oklahoma in the South, the Midwest, the Southwest, or do we need to be made into our own region with Texas? We'll examine history, geography, and of course food to see what area is the Sooner state best represents.

Metro Library Podcast: LitFest

July 15, 2023 11:30 - 19 minutes - 15.3 MB

On this month's podcast librarians Annika, Kimberly, and Danielle talk about the library's upcomind Litfest, and share some of their favorite resources for writers.

Greetings from Oklahoma: Oklahoma Postcards

June 15, 2023 11:00 - 21 minutes - 17.4 MB

Librarian Lisa from the Metropolitan Library System's Special Collections department talks about the postcard collection in the library's archive, and shares what they tell us about Oklahomans throughout the state's history. 

Metro Library Podcast: Summer Reading

May 15, 2023 11:00 - 16 minutes - 13.2 MB

On this month's episode Kristin, Emily, and Kimberly talk about one of the library's biggest events and longest running traditions, the library's summer reading program.

Baseball in Bricktown

April 15, 2023 11:00 - 24 minutes - 19.4 MB

In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Bricktown Ballpark, we sat down with the Oklahoma City Dodgers' Alex Freedman and talked about the history of baseball in Bricktown.

Metro Library Podcast: Graphic Novels

March 15, 2023 12:30 - 22 minutes - 18 MB

Did you know the Metropolita Library System's libraris have a whole collection made up just of graphic novels? On this episode of the Metro Library Podcast librarians Kimberly and Kristine talk about some of their favorite things in the graphic novel collection.

All-Black Towns

February 15, 2023 12:30 - 21 minutes - 17.6 MB

In this month's episode Suzette Chang talks about the history of Oklahoma's All-Black Towns.

Metro Library Podcast: The Best of 2022

January 15, 2023 12:00 - 31 minutes - 25 MB

On this month's episode Meg, Josh, and Corey talk about some of their staff picks for best fiction, poetry, and movies available from the library that came out in 2022.

Ruby Darby

December 15, 2022 12:00 - 24 minutes - 19.7 MB

Historian Dale Ingram tells the story of an often forgotten and sometimes controversial Oklahoma vaudeville star named Ruby Darby.

Metro Library Podcast: Native American Heritage Month

November 15, 2022 17:30 - 24 minutes - 19.8 MB

In this month's podcast we talk about some of the resources the library has to offer for Native American Heritage Month.

The Overholsers

October 15, 2022 11:00 - 32 minutes - 26.4 MB

In this episode Chantry and Lisa from the Overholser Mansion talk about the Overholser family and their contribution to early Oklahoma City.

Metro Library Podcast: Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month

September 15, 2022 11:00 - 22 minutes - 18 MB

Librarians Gloria and Lupita talk about library resources and events celebrating Latinx/Hispanic Heritage Month.

Oklahoma Inventions

August 15, 2022 11:00 - 13 minutes - 11.2 MB

In this episode we talk about all kinds of things invented in the Great State of Oklahoma!

Metro Library Podcast: K-Pop

July 15, 2022 11:00 - 28 minutes - 23 MB

Ever wonder what the whole K-Pop phenomenon is all about? Listen as librarians Kimberly, Anna, Mary, and Gloria talk about all things K-Pop and all of the K-Pop related resources the library has to offer.

Fun With Flags: The Story of Oklahoma's State Flags

June 14, 2022 11:00 - 22 minutes - 18.1 MB

In this episode historian Erin Brown tells us the history of Oklahoma's state flags.

Metro Library Podcast: Mental Health

May 15, 2022 11:00 - 30 minutes - 24.1 MB

This month we're starting a new segment on our podcast where librarians share their vast knowledge of library resources. Since May is Mental Health Month, we're talking about some of the library's mental health resources. But don't worry if you're looking for more Oklahoma history, that'll be coming right up next month!

Operation Bongo: The Oklahoma City Sonic Boom Tests of 1964

April 15, 2022 11:00 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MB

In 1964 Oklahoma City was bombarded with sonic booms everyday for months. Ted Hopkins, one of the pilots that flew the jet that created the booms, talks about the sonic boom tests and what it was like to fly over OKC at the speed of sound.

St. Anthony: Oklahoma City's oldest hospital

February 15, 2022 12:00 - 28 minutes - 22.4 MB

Archivist Scott Grimwood talks about the history of the first hospital in Oklahoma Territory, St. Anthony. If you'd like to contact Mr. Grimwood about more St. Anthony history you can reach him at [email protected] 

True Crime In OKC: The story of Dr. Richard Thacker

December 15, 2021 12:00 - 18 minutes - 14.7 MB

In this podcast we discuss the little known story of the murder trial of Dr. Richard Thacker.

Elmer McCurdy: Mummy Outlaw

October 15, 2021 11:00 - 29 minutes - 23.4 MB

Historian Michael Williams joins us to tell the story of outlaw/sideshow attraction/mummy Elmer McCurdy.

Oklahoma's Thoreau: The story of Frederick S. Barde

August 15, 2021 11:00 - 25 minutes - 20.4 MB

Historian Michael Williams tells the story of journalist and nature lover Frederick S. Barde.

The Cora Youngblood Corson Story

June 15, 2021 11:00 - 30 minutes - 24.4 MB

In this month's podcast historian James Gregory tells the story of Oklahoma vaudeville star Cora Youngblood Corson. It's a tale of tubas, cultural appropriation, and entertainment in vaudeville's heyday. 

Solomon Hotema And The Last Witch Killings in America

April 15, 2021 11:00 - 22 minutes - 17.8 MB

When most of us think of witch killings we think of Salem in the 1600s, but did you know that the last witch killings in America were in Oklahoma? Historian John Truden talks with us about Solomon Hotema and the 1899 witch killings in Choctaw country. If you think the podcast is interesting and you'd like to learn more Choctaw history, you can visit https://hinahanta.choctawnation.com

Black History Month: The Story of the Threatt Filling Station

February 15, 2021 12:00 - 22 minutes - 17.8 MB

Sitting between two sundown towns in Oklahoma, the Threatt Filling Station was a safe haven for African American travelers on Route 66 during the time of Jim Crow. Cousins Charles and Ed Threatt talk about the filling station and its importance to our state's history.

Women in Early Oklahoma Politics: The stories of Kate Barnard and May Peebles

December 15, 2020 12:00 - 33 minutes - 26.7 MB

Historian Erin Brown from the Oklahoma Territorial Museum discusses the lives of two women involved in early Oklahoma politics, writer of the state constitution May Peebles, and the first woman elected to state office, Kate Barnard.

Dying to Get to Oklahoma: Famous Graves in the Sooner State

October 15, 2020 11:00 - 19 minutes - 15.9 MB

Since Halloween is coming up, we decided to get a little creepy and look at some of the famous final resting places of Oklahomans, both in and out of Oklahoma. Historian Dale Ingram talks with us about the graves of Will Rogers, Woody Guthrie, and more.

The American Indian Movement in Oklahoma

August 15, 2020 11:00 - 34 minutes - 27.3 MB

Historian John Truden talks about the American Indian Movement and its history in Oklahoma. For more information  you can read Mr. Truden's article on the topic here https://newprairiepress.org/ojrrp/vol15/iss3/1/

Bonus Episode: LGBTQ History and Pride in OKC

June 20, 2020 11:00 - 40 minutes - 32.7 MB

Freedom Oklahoma's Allie Shin and City Councilperson James Cooper talk about the history of the LGBTQ+ community in Oklahoma City and the city's Pride celebration.

LGBT History: The Arrest of Paul Thompson

June 15, 2020 11:00 - 11 minutes - 9.49 MB

In this month's podcast we hear the story of the arrest of Oklahoma City gay rights activist Paul Thompson and his fight in court.

Oklahoma City National Memorial: An interview with Richard Williams

April 19, 2020 11:00 - 12 minutes - 9.7 MB

For the third interview in our series about the history of the Oklahoma City National Memorial we talked with bombing survivor Richard Williams. Mr. Williams served many roles in the creation of the memorial over the years following the bombing. He spoke with us about what it was like working toward creating and eventually opening the memorial.

Oklahoma City National Memorial: An interview with Bob Johnson

April 15, 2020 11:00 - 25 minutes - 20.8 MB

For the second in our series of interviews about the history of the Oklahoma City National Memorial we talked to attorney Bob Johnson. Mr. Johnson began working on the memorial only days after the bombing and helped lead the city with the creation of the memorial and museum.

Oklahoma City National Memorial: An interview with Ron Norick

April 10, 2020 11:00 - 16 minutes - 13.4 MB

As this month marks the 25th anniversary of the Oklahoma City bombing, we thought it might be interesting to look at the history of the Oklahoma City National Memorial, so we spoke with three people involved in the creation of the memorial. The first in this series is an interview with Ron Norick, mayor of Oklahoma City at the time of the bombing.

Oklahoma "Love" Stories

February 14, 2020 12:00 - 20 minutes - 16.3 MB

In this month's podcast we talk about the state wedding between Oklahoma and Indian Territories, and we explore the marriage of Governor E.W. Marland and his wife/daughter Lydie.

I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas

December 15, 2019 12:00 - 12 minutes - 9.83 MB

This month's podcast tells the story of how the Oklahoma City Zoo used the Christmas song "I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas" to help get Matilda the hippo. 

The Story Of The BC Clark Christmas Jingle (re-release)

November 29, 2019 12:00 - 16 minutes - 19.1 MB

Did you know that central Oklahoma has its own Christmas music courtesy of a local jeweler? On this podcast we explore the central Oklahoma phenomenon that is the BC Clark Christmas Jingle. 

Beyond the Boarding Schools: A story of Native Americans and education

November 15, 2019 12:00 - 25 minutes - 20.5 MB

In this month's podcast we explore the past, present, and future of education among Native Americans in Oklahoma with the Cherokee Immersion school in Tahlequah, Sovereign Community School in Oklahoma City, and more.

Haunted Oklahoma: The Halloween Episode

October 15, 2019 11:00 - 30 minutes - 24.6 MB

Marnie Vinge of the Eerie Okie podcast (https://eerieokie.com) joins us this month to talk about a few historical places around downtown OKC that may or may not be inhabited by a supernatural presence. We also hear from Elizabeth Macias from the haunted Paramount Room (http://www.theparamountroom.com) and author/OKC ghost expert Jeff Provine (https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJeffProvine/)

State of the State (Capitol)

September 15, 2019 11:00 - 16 minutes - 13.3 MB

Have you noticed all the construction around the Oklahoma state capitol lately and wondered what's going on? On this month's podcast we talk Oklahoma Capitol history and future with State Capitol Restoration Project manager Trait Thompson, and Director of the Sate Arts Council Amber Sharples

State of the State Capitol

September 15, 2019 11:00 - 16 minutes - 13.3 MB

Have you noticed all the construction around the Oklahoma state capitol lately and wondered what's going on? On this month's podcast we talk Oklahoma Capitol history and future with State Capitol Restoration Project manager Trait Thompson, and Director of the Sate Arts Council Amber Sharples

Oklahoma! The Story of our State Song

August 15, 2019 11:00 - 29 minutes - 40.4 MB

Ever wonder how Oklahoma got a Broadway song as its state song? Our team of experts tell the story of Oklahoma's state songs from the prairies of Oklahoma to the stages of New York theater.

Machine Gun Kelly and the Urschel Kidnapping

July 15, 2019 11:00 - 20 minutes - 28.7 MB

One July night in 1933 George "Machine Gun" Kelly came to Oklahoma City and kidnapped a wealthy oilman named Charles Urschel in a caper that would ultimately be Kelly's ticket to Alcatraz. Kent Frates, writer, historian, and the nephew of Charles Urschel sat down with us to tell the tale of one Depression era gangster, and the oilman that lead the FBI to his capture.

LGBT in OKC: A Brief History of the Oklahoma City LGBT+ Community

June 15, 2019 11:00 - 23 minutes - 32.9 MB

Ward 2 city councilman James Cooper, the first openly LGBT member of Oklahoma City's city council, talks about the history and struggles of the LGBT+ community in OKC.

The Oddly Interesting History of the Oklahoma River

May 15, 2019 11:00 - 33 minutes - 46.6 MB

Join us on a journey down the Oklahoma River from the frequently flooded pre-statehood zoo at Wheeler Park to the Olympic training facility there today.