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McAlester Public Library reports rising program participation despite temporary location; hopes to reopen new building in June
Summary
Library director Heath Stanfield presented the annual report and construction update: programs remain active in a temporary location, 2025 statistics include 384 public programs and 6,845 program attendees, and staff expect the new library to open to the public in June if on budget and schedule.
Heath Stanfield presented the McAlester Public Library’s 2025 annual report and a construction update to the City Council, saying program delivery has remained robust despite operations from a temporary site.
Stanfield listed key programs—children’s story times ("Wiggle Worms"), sewing club, Backyard Explorers (10 years running), poetry club, Builders Club, brush hour and a seed library—and noted partnerships with the schools, OSU Extension and local nonprofits. He highlighted that the library hosted 384 public programs in 2025 with 6,845 attendees, had 5,644 active library card users and recorded 10,500 visitors for the year. In December the library circulated 4,235 items.
On construction, Stanfield said crews are making steady progress; he noted a crane was on site and that the project remains on budget and on schedule. “I’m hoping that everyone can walk in the doors in June,” Stanfield said.
Councilors praised the library’s community outreach and programs and asked operational questions about meeting rooms, quiet areas and the Oklahoma heritage collection.
What’s next: staff will provide copies of the full annual report and programming calendars; library will continue community engagement while finishing construction.
