Design of newest Oklahoma City library pays tribute to oil industry

Other design features include glass exterior walls across much of the structure, allowing for natural lighting.

The library is expected to be completed in February and open in March, said Kim Terry, spokeswoman for the Metropolitan Library System.

“The building should actually be finished in February, but it will take some time to move everything into the building to get ready for the public, hence the March opening date,” Terry said.

Construction began in March 2010.

The library is the 18th facility in the Metropolitan Library System and the third largest library in the system.

City officials plan to name it for former Mayor Patience Latting.

“The new library will feature a collection of nearly 156,000 books, magazines, CDs, and DVDs,” Terry said.

“All materials are purchased specifically for the northwest library.”

The library also will have more than 60 computers for public use, all with Internet access.

The library will be a free Wi-Fi hot spot.

The facility will include two large meeting rooms that can be combined for a capacity of 200 people, along with activity rooms and programming rooms adjacent to the teen and children's areas and multiple quiet study areas.