Martin Regional Library

Two important events occurred in Tulsa in 1949. The first – the introduction of television – would have long-term national and international impact. Of more immediate significance to the Tulsa library was the arrival of Allie Beth Martin, an energetic woman who held a library science degree from Columbia University. She had worked in several library systems before moving to Tulsa with her husband Ralph, a physician, and their daughter Betsy.

On January 1, 1963, she was appointed acting director and nine months later she became the first director of the Tulsa City-County Library system. As such Allie Beth Martin occupied a role of leadership, not only locally but in national cultural and library affairs. She served on the advisory board of the National Endowment for the Humanities and in 1971 was named coordinator of the “Goals of Public Library Service” sponsored by the American Library Association and jointly funded by the Council of Library Resources and the National Endowment. She also served as President of the American Library Association, a unique honor among librarians.

The library profession and Tulsa community were shocked and saddened when she became terminally ill and passed away in April 1976. The second regional library, at 2601 S. Garnett, was dedicated as the Allie Beth Martin East Regional Library on August 1, 1976. The square footage for the building was 18,165, the shelving capacity housed 50,000 volumes and the cost for the facility was $675,865.

The words on the memorial plaque described Mrs. Martin’s long service to the community:

Allie Beth Martin dedicated her life to the development of modern library service, focusing on the public library as a center for community education, information, culture and recreation. Her achievements as a community leader, a humanist, an educator, an author, an advocate of the arts and as 1975-76 president of the American Library Association reflect that impact.

In 2002, the Martin Regional Library was expanded to 29,425 square feet. The shelving capacity increased to hold 125,000 volumes and over 50 computers were made available to the public. A new story time room was added which housed two castles, a moat and cloud mobiles. The Hispanic Resource Center and children’s area were expanded and a Learning Center, Computer Lab, study rooms and teen area were added.

Martin Regional Library currently serves as the site for the Asian American Festival held on the first Saturday in June. Weekly programming includes a Job Lab for job seekers, computer classes in both English and Spanish, afterschool events, and both traditional and bilingual story times.

Martin Regional Library Managers:

• 1976-1984: Marjorie Hooker
• 1984-2004: Christine Chilton
• 2004-2007: Theresa Fowler
• 2007- present: Amy Stephens