Nathan Hale Library

Nathan Hale celebrated its Diamond Jubilee in November, 2023!  It was the first branch to be built under the then-new City-County System in 1963.  Lois Jones was the first librarian when she was appointed that year. Those serving short terms as librarian between 1967 and 1983 included Dusty Wade, Virginia Collier, Inalea Weathers, Marilyn Shackleford, Marjory Hooker, Rosemary Moran, Mike Rusk, Lola Todd and Sonia Long.  Many of them went on to illustrious careers in the Tulsa City-County Library System. Ann Gaebe managed the branch from 1983 to 1999; Bobbie Bridgewood  from 1983 to 2014, when the current manager began her tenure.

In 2001 the Tulsa City-County Library Commission proposed the relocation of the Nathan Hale Library to 51st and Memorial. Library administrators held several public meetings to announce their plans. An outcry was heard from the small community. Nathan Hale customers expressed how much they loved their small library. After listening to the community, library administrators withdrew the proposal and in 2002 proceeded with plans to renovate the library with funds received from the 1998 bond issue.

After undergoing a seven-month extensive renovation project that included a new parking lot and a new front entrance on the west side of the building, the vastly improved Nathan Hale Library opened its doors on January 2, 2003. Later that week, more than 500 eager, happy users attended the open house to check out the library’s new look and celebrate the completion of the project.

Take home up to 15 seed packets per season from our collection of open-pollinated and heirloom seeds and grow your garden.  Save seeds from the best plants and return them to the library for others.  

Our seed collection depends on donations, availability and seasonality.  By saving seeds as a community, we help create local seed stocks that are better adapted to our MIdwest climate.