Statue Dedicated to “Learning” To Be Unveiled at Downtown Library

Former Oklahoma City mayor Ronald J. Norick and his family have been life-long supporters of education and of the Metropolitan Library System, so what better idea could they have than to find a way to combine the two in a permanent celebration of both concepts?

The result is a newly commissioned sculpture called “Learning,” that is completely interactive – allowing for the children to climb or sit on the pieces to read. The sculpture was designed and created by Niagara Falls artist Susan Geissler, one of the nation’s most important female realist sculptors since she entered the field in the mid-1980s.

“Learning” will be unveiled and dedicated in the Children’s Section on the first floor of the Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library, 300 Park Avenue, on Wednesday afternoon, March 25, 2009, at 2:00. Funding for the sculpture was provided by the James H. and Madalynne Norick Foundation.

“We are honored that the Norick Foundation chose us to receive this remarkable work of art,” said library system Executive Director Donna Morris. “We know it will serve for decades to come to remind generations of children and adults of the importance of the library as a center for life-long learning. And we hope that everyone interested
in contemporary American art will drop by to take a look at ‘Learning.’”

The Metropolitan Library System of Oklahoma County includes 12 libraries and five extension libraries. Libraries include Belle Isle, Capitol Hill, Ralph Ellison, Ronald J. Norick Downtown Library and Southern Oaks in Oklahoma City, as well as Bethany, Choctaw, Del City, Edmond, Midwest City, Village and Warr Acres. Extensions are located in the communities of Harrah, Jones, Luther and Nicoma Park and include Wright Library in Oklahoma City. You can also reach us at www.metrolibrary.org.