Stillwater library plans 100-year time capsule

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 federal grants totaling $32,500. It was the final meeting for Mike Woods, who completed two three-year terms on the board.

Time capsule

The capsule, set to be buried in front of the library's reference offices at 1107 S. Duck St., will contain 25 books chosen by the community through a public nomination and vote process. Library Director Stacy DeLano said the project is designed to get people thinking about what American literature is most meaningful — and worth preserving.

Starting in July, the library will collect book nominations by American authors at outreach events, including the July 2 celebration at Block 34 and potentially at Boomer Blast July 3. Residents may also submit written statements explaining why they believe a book should be included. Online and in-person voting will open in August to narrow the list to 25 titles.

Two community gatherings, one powerful day of prayer. 🙏

Stillwater's 74th National Day of Prayer is Thursday, May 7 — and all are invited to take part in this year's theme: Glorify God Among the Nations, Seek Him in All Generations.

Noon Open-Air Gathering — Block 34 Simmons Bank Pavilion, 218 W. 9th Ave. Bring a lawn chair.

Evening Gathering, 7 p.m. — CREC Community Center, 3305 S. Boomer Rd.

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"The intent on our side of the 100 years is to get people to think about what American literature specifically is meaningful to us as Americans," DeLano said.

A marked slab will be placed over the burial site. The capsule is intended to be opened in 2126.

DeLano said staff are researching archival preservation methods to keep the books in good condition inside the capsule. She noted the project will cost roughly $2,000.

The vote was 5-1, with board member Robin Cornwell casting the dissenting vote. Cornwell said she supported the community conversation around book nominations but was skeptical the physical books would survive a century underground.

"I'm just not up on the idea of burying expensive books in a big hole," Cornwell said.

Board member Mike Woods, attending his final meeting, said the book discussions mattered more to him than the burial itself.

"I like the idea of people saying, 'I think this book is important and why,'" Woods said. "That'd be pretty cool."

America 250 grant

The board unanimously accepted a $2,500 America 250 grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, funded through the federal Library Services and Technology Act, pending review by the City Attorney's Office.

The grant covers the time capsule project as well as additional programming planned in partnership with the Daughters of the American Revolution. That programming includes a trivia night at Stonecloud featuring DAR members in period dress, a presentation on colonial-era daily life, and an extended book club session at the Stillwater History Museum. The library said dates for those events are forthcoming.

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Lucky Day grant

The board also unanimously accepted a separate $30,000 grant from the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, also pending City Attorney review, to fund electronic materials for the Oklahoma Virtual Library. Under the Lucky Day model, digital items only appear in the catalog when they are available to check out — no holds are permitted, meaning a patron must sign in and find an item available in that moment.

DeLano said the funds will go primarily toward audiobooks, which can still largely be purchased outright by libraries, unlike most ebooks. She described a challenging digital publishing landscape in which some ebook licenses now expire after roughly 26 checkouts — compared to 70 to 80 checkouts a physical book typically yields before it wears out.

"We were told they don't have an inventory to keep, they don't have the printing costs," DeLano said of publishers' early pitch for digital content. "And it didn't pan out that way."

Woods' farewell

Woods, who was appointed to the board in September 2020, said serving on the library board had been a source of genuine satisfaction.

"I believe our library is a gem for this community, and so it's been a lot of fun serving on the board and working with all of you," Woods said. "Both our boys, we raised them here in Stillwater, and they spent a lot of time down in that children's section, especially over summer."

DeLano thanked Woods for his contributions.

"You've just been an incredible resource to me," DeLano said. "I really have appreciated it a lot."

Woods' term expired May 1, along with that of board member Sharon Edwards, who was not present at Tuesday's meeting. City code allows members to serve until successors are appointed. DeLano said a prospective replacement has been identified and is submitting an application. Board Chair Matt Upson said leadership elections are expected at the May 26 meeting.

Summer reading registration now open

Registration is now open for the library's 2026 summer reading program, "Unearth a Story," which runs through July 25. The program is free and open to all ages.

Readers of all ages can log reading time to earn prizes. Events begin May 30 with two kickoff events: a foam party at 10 a.m. for children and families and a climbing wall event at OSU's Colvin Center from 2 to 4 p.m. for teens in grades six through 12. Signed parent or guardian waivers will be required for the climbing wall event.

Programming runs Tuesdays and Thursdays for children through fifth grade, Wednesdays for teens, and on varying days for adults. A full schedule of events — including performers, field trips, science shows, movies, and a Natural History Museum finale July 25 — is available at stillwaterok.gov/LibrarySummer.

The library will also be closed June 19 for Juneteenth and July 4, with an additional closure July 6 as the city's observed Independence Day holiday.

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While you’re in town for Graduation, the Special Olympics Oklahoma Summer Games, or one of the many events at the Payne County Expo Center, be sure to explore Stillwater’s one-of-a-kind boutiques, local restaurants, and must-see attractions in America’s Friendliest College Town!

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