If you're doing some holiday shopping over in the Fourth Street area later this year, you're hardly going to recognize the place. Not only is Fourth Street itself currently under construction which will change the look of the area but the northern side of the Tulsa Central Library there is also undergoing a facelift. There will be some subtle changes to the library's new entry way that you might not even notice. After all, when the northern entrance moves twenty feet to the east, it might not be noticeable enough to catch your eye. However, the colorful arch that's going to mark the new entry way is sure to catch your attention.

The new arch is going to give a more streamlined look to the Tulsa Central Library since it is identical to the one that went up last year on the Denver Avenue side of the library. When the library was first built back in the 1960's, this plaza-side entry on Denver Avenue (the entry which faces the Tulsa County Courthouse) was intended to be the main entry point into the library. Things have changed a lot since then; Fourth Street has livened up and that side of the building has become the entry most heavy with foot traffic. This entry was originally not even intended for public use and is now the place which is used most often by those wishing to get into the library.

The inside of the building will be altered as well to add to the purpose of the facelift. Since so much of the library's traffic comes through these doors, they are altering things so that this front room really looks like the entrance of the library. Instead of seeing the backside of the library's materials, you'll walk right into the main front room. As soon as you walk in, you'll be able to see all of the media center materials that are offered by the library. You'll also be able to easily spot the new information and customer service desk which is being constructed there so you can find out where else to go to get what you want in the library.

All of the changes to the library will be visible and complete by the end of the year. The goal is to have them done by the time that the Peggy V. Helmerich Distinguished Author presentation takes place at the library in December. In the meantime, expect there to be enough construction that this entry way may be completely closed for a time. It is likely to close and re-open as construction continues. Use the Denver Avenue doors during this time to make the construction go more smoothly.