OKMULGEE, Oklahoma – Muscogee (Creek) Community Centers around the Mvskoke Reservation are participating in a project to educate the members and citizens offered by the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Historic and Cultural Preservation Department.
Cultural Coordinator and Librarian Odette Freeman refers to the project as the Mini Library project.
The project is funded by a $50,000 grant awarded to the department by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Freeman claimed the department is a frequent grantee of IMLS, and this grant was one they apply for yearly usually amounts to $7,000, but due to COVID the grant amount had increased.
Normally, Freeman uses the grant funds to supply art classes at the various community centers.
“Due to COVID, we weren’t able to do that,” Freeman said. “We had to think of another focus for our grant.”
The department landed on the idea of mini libraries and provided community centers with shelving and 50 books each and other small supplies including time stamps and due date tabs.
The shelves were set up inside the centers, where they are accessible to all.
Freeman stated there will be books for all ages and groups.
“We want this information to be shared because it’s not taught at the schools,” she said.
According to Freeman, many of the communities within the reservation do not have access to a public library.
The department’s goal is to provide citizens with readily available information to spread education on Mvskoke history and culture.
“We want to get people to want to learn more,” Freeman said.
The department also provides genealogy services, cemetery cleanup and a library of archives located in the Education and Training building on the MCN Complex.
For more information, contact MCN Historic and Cultural Preservation Office at: 918-732-7733.
Is the Weleetka Indian Community Center going to get a library?
Weleetka declined the offer.
what comunity centers can expect to have a library >.>?