Grace M. Pickens Public Library

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library provides computers for public use. Computers are available for word processing and Internet access.
Users Must

Be at least sixteen years old, have a parent sitting at the computer with them or have on file with the library, a parent / Guardian signed permission to use the internet form.
Users May Not

Make any attempt to damage computer equipment or software.
Make any attempt to alter hardware or software configurations.
Install, download or delete any software in the Library’s computers.
Violate copyright laws or software licensing agreements in their use of Library workstations.
Use any Library workstation for illegal or criminal purpose, including the “Harmful to Minors,” Oklahoma State Statute Title 21, Chapter 39, Section 1040.76.
Use any Library workstation for viewing illegal materials as determined by Oklahoma State Statute, Title 21, Chapter 39.
Engage in any activity that is deliberately and maliciously offensive, libelous or slanderous.

Failure to Comply With Regulations

Failure to comply to use the computers or Internet access, as defined in these guidelines, will result in the loss of computer and Internet privileges and possible legal action.
Users are financially responsible if noncompliance results in damage to Library computers, equipment and software. A bill for technical support, repair and replacement of equipment/software will be issued to the user.

Any illegal use will also be reported to the proper authorities.
Information Regarding the Internet

Information found on the Internet is not controlled by the Library. The Library is not responsible for the accuracy or content of materials retrieved from the Internet.

A vast array of information is available online, including up-to-the-minute news, weather and sports.

Resources from encyclopedias, magazines, newspapers and books are also available.
Please ask a library staff person to show you resources from the Oklahoma statewide databases. EBSCO provides full text articles for nearly 1,860 periodicals covering nearly all subjects including general reference, business, health, and much more.
Information for Parents

The Internet can be a valuable educational resource for children. However, due to its unregulated nature there are sites that parents may feel are inappropriate for their children. The Library staff is sensitive to this fact but will be unable to monitor the Internet activities of each child using the Internet. Parents of minor children have full responsibility for their child’s use of the Library’s Internet terminals.

Parents must co-sign the Library’s Internet Use Agreement, in the presence of staff, for children under the age of eighteen (18) who want to use the Library’s Internet terminals. Children under the age of twelve (12) must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian while using the Library’s Internet terminals.

Parents are encouraged to discuss with their children the hazards of releasing personal information across the Internet.
Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA)

On July 23, 2003, The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) adopted an order that updates regulations pertaining to the children’s internet protection Act (CIPA) for libraries. This order was adopted to reflect the recent supreme court decision in American Library Association.

CIPA requires the filtering or blocking of certain visual depictions and requires libraries to adopt and implement an internet safety policy and operate “technology protection Measures” (blocking and filtering) if they receive

E-rate discounts for internet access, Internet Service, or internal connections;
Funds under title III of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) to purchase computers used to access the Internet or to pay direct costs associated with accessing the internet; or
Funds under state grant programs of the Library Service and Technology Act (LSTA) to purchase computers used to access the internet or to pay direct costs associated with accessing the internet.

Borrowing Period

Books, audio books and magazines circulate for two weeks. Reference books are non-circulating. Videos and DVDs circulate for one week. All circulating materials may be renewed as long as it is not on reserve for someone else.
Get a library card

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library welcomes the use of the library by individuals of all ages to support their personal, educational and professional needs.

Library cards, with borrowing privileges, will be issued free of charge to residents of the City of Holdenville and Hughes County. No registration fee will be charged for those individuals who live, attend school or own property in Hughes County. Individuals who do not meet one of these criteria may apply for a nonresident library card.

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library Board has approved the non-resident fee of $5.00 per household per twelve (12) month period. Payment of this fee entitles the applicant’s immediate family to full library service for the twelve-month period.

Applicants wanting a library card must apply in person and provide 2 (two) forms of ID. Photo identification showing current address is one of the requirements for patrons age sixteen and older. The other required ID can be a utility bill, printed check stub (with address), Official D.H.S or Social Security Correspondence are also acceptable to prove current address, as long as the item is recent and contains the persons name that is applying for the library card. Unaceptable forms of identification are medical bills, voter ids, letters from family and aquaintances, or written receipts

Cards will be issued to all individuals having attained the minimum age of six years. Children under the age of sixteen must have a parent or guardian apply for their library cards. Parents/guardians must meet the registration guidelines listed above and must sign the borrower’s card acknowledging responsibility for library materials checked out by the child.

The "mother" of the Holdenville library was The Business and Professional Women's Club, a women's organization which took hold of the library idea, after it had been slowly germinating for four years. With true efficiency, within five months the Club produced a public library with a good income from the city.

The Club organized a free library on February 25, 1929 but before it had ever opened its doors the city agreed to give it a tax levy. This was done on July 20, and on September 20, 1929, the first books were issued to the public.

he library board, with Mrs. Dudley B. Buell as president, appointed Mrs. Anne Sturdevant librarian. It also obtained the assistance of the Oklahoma Library Commission in classifying the books and establishing a circulation system. Books, the first essentials, had been collected from the entire town, with other clubs and civic organization joining in the drive. The first 600 volumes, which rapidly became 800, were housed through the generosity of Judge and Mrs. Frank L. Warren, in rooms on the second floor of an office building (the old domed bank building). In May 1930, the library expanded over the entire second floor of the Warren Building.

In August 1934, the Holdenville Library had a new home at Ninth and Oak, on land that was donated by Judge And Mrs. Frank Warren.

The structure is of native stone, built by CWA labor at a cost of about $7,500, of which Holdenville citizens contributed $2,500 for materials.

The stand pipe water tower which was originally housed on the land was donated to the city of Atoka. The Native rock for the outside of the library was acquired from the old city water works which was located on the Long family land.

Among the many prominent Holdenville Citizens who contributed to the library's successful efforts to obtain a building the name of John Ed Davis a library board member was often heard of as that of the man to whom most credit was due. Mrs. Sturdevant resigned in 1936, after seven years of service, and Mrs. Florence S. Culver became librarian.

o group may consider the library its permanent meeting place or use the library as its mailing address.

The library facilities may not be used for any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment.

Meetings should conform to the scheduled operating hours of the library.

The applicant is responsible for discipline and reasonable care of the room. The applicant will be held responsible for any damage, and the condition of the room after its use, e.g., chairs stacked, utensils washed, kitchenette cleaned. Failure to do so may result in denial of future use of the room.
There shall be no interference with the use of the library by its patrons, e.g., noise, overcrowding of library or parking lot.

The library will not provide storage for any group.

It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide necessary equipment if it is not available at the library.
Refreshments may be served, provided proper care is given to clean-up after the meeting. Alcoholic beverages may not be served or consumed on library property. The Grace M. Pickens Public Library is a smoke free facility.

The Library Manager may ask that meetings of youth groups have an adult in attendance.

Notify a library staff member if a meeting must be cancelled.

Failure to comply with the Meeting Room Use Policy and Guidelines and Rules will result in withdrawal of meeting room use privileges.

Groups using the library meeting rooms must not use advertising or publicity which imply that their programs are sponsored, co-sponsored or approved by the library.