You pick the books: Stillwater library plans 100-year time capsule for America 250

Community members will nominate and vote on 25 books by American authors to be sealed until 2126

Chris Peters

May 01, 2026 - 5 min read

A bronze statue of historian Angie Debo stands outside the Stillwater Public Library, 1107 S. Duck St. Debo wrote 13 books and hundreds of articles on Native American and Oklahoma history. – Photo by Chris Peters

You pick the books: Stillwater library plans 100-year time capsule for America 250 — A bronze statue of historian Angie Debo stands outside the Stillwater Public Library, 1107 S. Duck St. Debo wrote 13 books and hundreds of articles on Native American and Oklahoma history. – Photo by Chris Peters

The Stillwater Public Library will bury a time capsule on its grounds this summer as part of the national celebration of America's 250th anniversary — and the public will decide what goes inside it.

The Library Board voted 5-1 Tuesday to approve the project, with the public set to nominate and vote on which books get buried. The board also unanimously accepted two separate state grants totaling $32,500. It was the final meeting for Mike Woods, who completed two three-year terms on the board.

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