Outdoor movies at the Stillwater Public Library July 8 and July

(STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA / June 28, 2022) – The Stillwater Public Library will have two ocean-themed outdoor movie screenings in July. The movies will take place in the library’s courtyard on Friday, July 8, and Friday, July 22, both starting at 9 p.m. Attendees should bring chairs or blankets for seating. The Friends of the Stillwater Public Library will provide free popcorn and drinks.

The movies are part of the library’s 2022 summer reading program, “Oceans of Possibilities.” The first movie on July 8 is the sequel to “Finding Nemo,” starring everyone’s favorite forgetful fish voiced by Ellen DeGeneres. The film is rated PG.

Brenna Gilchrist, adult services librarian, is looking forward to screening movies outside.

“Outdoor movies are so fun, and I’m glad we can set them up for the community to enjoy,” Gilchrist said. “It reminds me of being a kid and hanging sheets up on the side of our house to watch movies on.”

The library will feature a “JAWSome” movie for a more mature audience on Friday, July 22. The 1975 Steven Spielberg directed film stars Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss. The story, based on the 1974 book of the same name by Peter Benchley, is inspired by shark attacks that took place in 1916 along the New Jersey coast. While the movie was rated PG in 1975, standards have changed over the years, and there is violence, drinking and cursing. 

Librarians recommend that parents and guardians do a little research to decide if the films being shown in the courtyard are suitable for their families. 

Gilchrist has several sites that she regularly recommends to people, including commonsensemedia.org and kids-in-mind.com. 

“Everyone has different factors that they are considering when deciding whether a book or movie is appropriate for the young people in their life,” Gilchrist said. “These sites weigh several factors to help people make informed decisions.”

Both outdoor movies are free, open to the public and part of the SPL’s 2022 “Oceans of Possibilities” summer reading program. Visit library.stillwater.org/summer_@_your_library.php to register for summer reading, sign up to attend programs, log reading time and earn prizes. 

Library staff will immediately post information about canceled or postponed programs on the library website. Participants are encouraged to check library.stillwater.org before coming to the library for an event. Updates will also be posted on library social media channels @StillwaterOKLib.

Summer reading is sponsored in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the Oklahoma Department of Libraries, the National Science Foundation and the Friends of the Stillwater Public Library.