The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits (OKCNP) will host the 2021 Oklahoma Nonprofit Excellence (ONE) Awards on April 24, 2021, in Tulsa with limited attendance. The event will be livestreamed on OKCNP’s website as well. Leading up to the event, we are celebrating the 21 Oklahoma nonprofit finalists in seven categories. Southern Oklahoma Library System (SOLS) is a finalist in the Community category.

SOLS has been serving the community since 1960 by providing easy access to information, inspiring curiosity, empowering the mind and expanding opportunities to advance the quality of life. Based in Ardmore, their programs reach Carter, Atoka, Love, Johnston and Murry counties.

“I have used quite extensively the reference section, the Septuagint that is provided, the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible for my studies,” said Howard McMurry of Ardmore. “I also used the generous number of resources on Greek culture and Roman life. I was able to incorporate that into my dissertation, which I was able to finish up this summer.”

The SOLS community is comprised of 98,000 individuals of varying age, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status and education. Not only do they offer their branch locations, they also offer the Big Red Bookmobile, bringing access to books to their clients.

SOLS programs are mindful of the educational, recreational and cultural needs of the residents in their communities. Their programs provide informational resources, inspiring conversations and connections that lead to lifelong enrichment.

“Kinley just got a library card about a month ago,” said Neshia Crane, branch manager. “She comes in every Saturday with her mother and brother to check out books. She’s a huge fan of Erin Hunter, and for being in elementary school, she already reads at a high school level. Friday was Kinley’s 11^th birthday. Her mother called me earlier in the day to see if I could stay a little late. All Kinley wanted to do was visit the library on her birthday. I made her a little gift bag with candy and pencils. She picked a book from the book sale room as her birthday present. On her way out, she told her mom I was her favorite librarian. This may be my day as the Love County Librarian.”

SOLS services include 24/7 access to digital resources. They also offer internet/computer use, e-books, DVDs, health literacy, tutoring (including English as a second language), passport assistance, faxing, notary services, financial education, income tax help and printing services, among many others.

Their programs not only serve private individuals, but also businesses.

“The manager of the local Dairy Queen, Whitney Hurley, stopped by on December 16 to use the Microsoft Excel program we provide to the public,” said Michael Henthorn, branch manager, Johnston County. “She was very appreciative and happy to have been able to find a computer with Excel that she could use to get caught up on some bookkeeping.”

To learn more about Southern Oklahoma Library System, visit their website: https://www.southernoklibrarysystem.org/.

The ONE Awards is dedicated to honoring the outstanding work of Oklahoma nonprofits statewide. The ONE Awards also serves as the primary fundraising event for OKCNP. Proceeds from the ONE Awards enable OKCNP to serve communities throughout Oklahoma.

To learn more about the OKCNP ONE Awards or to watch the event, visit: https://www.okcnp.org/page/one-awards.