I took Steve Lackmeyer up on the general public invite to attend an event at the Norick Library's 1st Edition Cafe Saturday last ... and took some pics and made a general blog post on the present library and its precedessors ...

Here are the pics without much more detail ... the full post is at Doug Dawgz Blog: Downtown Libraries

History of the Downtown Libraries ... click links for largrer images

Carnegie Library

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...carnegie01.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...carnegie02.jpg



An Expansion Almost Didn't Happen Because of Local Yokels Dealing With Mr. Carnegie

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...carnegie03.jpg



Was Carnegie Segregated? I haven't learned that yet, but the Dunbar Library was built in 1926 for the Black population in Deep Deuce

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...barlibrary.jpg



The 1953-54 Library ... larger pic not available



It had a drive-in

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...3library02.jpg



It also was involved in the sordid Tin Drum Affair which resulted in City liability of $700,000 + and exposed the city to national ridicule (thanks to the benevolence of the group, Oklahomans For Children and Families ... if you are a member, it's not too late to step up and chip in to help pay what Okc taxpayers became responsible for because of OFCF's actions ...)

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...3library03.jpg



MAPS & the New Library

Oklahoman Okc cheerleaders Jack Money & Steve Lackmeyer used the power of the pen to help this to happen. Here's a front page article, one of many ...
this one being on the dawn of the 2nd MAPS vote ... larger image not available



The 2nd MAPS Tax Passed

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_21.jpg



The Structure Got Built ... larger image not available



My July 28, 2007, Tour ... Authors Were In the First Edition Café

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_01.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_02.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_03.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_04.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_05.jpg



This magnificent facility is located on Park Avenue between Hudson & Harvey. A December 31, 2003, Oklahoman article announced that, "The City Council had voted to name the new library the "Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library." The vote was followed by a lengthy standing ovation from those in the council chambers." According to the report, "Ward 1 Councilman Mick Cornett brought the proposal before the council to name the library. Cornett said Norick risked his political career on the ambitious plan." Later, in an April 25, 2004, article, Steve Lackmeyer quoted then Mayor Mick Cornett as saying, "MAPS has changed Oklahoma City forever." And, so says Doug Dawg, as well. The new downtown library opened on August 17, 2004. Here's a bust of our benefactor ...

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_06.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_16.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_07.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_08.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_11.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_17.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_12.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_13.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_18.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_14.jpg



Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_15.jpg



4th Floor Looking Down into the Café

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49...072807_09a.jpg



Who are those 2 guys in the middle ... could they be ...

Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_09.jpg



YES! The Two Guys, themselves, Jack Money & Steve Lackmeyer!
Link: http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a49..._072807_10.jpg