A Brief History
Concerned citizens and community leaders from the Oakwood area had an interest in establishing a public library in the area for several years. In June 1985, members of the Oakwood Library Advisory Committee met with representatives of Lincoln Trail Libraries System to develop an LSCA Title I Grant proposal to establish a demonstration library. The project, administered through the Illinois State Library, was based on the components of "ideal" library service described in the LTLS Strategic Planning Model research project of 1985. Beginning in October 1986, the project provided library service to approximately 4,000 citizens of the district and culminated in a referendum to legally establish the library district in April 1987. The referendum passed overwhelmingly by a 3 to 1 ratio. Library service continued with a 2nd year grant through June 30, 1988. In July 1988, proceeds from the library's first tax levy were received. On April 4, 1989, Oakwood annexed and expanded its district. The library purchased the old bank building in August 1992. A new building was built in the same location and completed in April 1998. There have been five library directors: Elizabeth Fisher-Smith (1986-1987), Susan Fletcher (1988-2004), Elizabeth Kent (2004-2012), Jennifer Hendrickson (2013-2015), Joel Shoemaker (2015-2017), Tammi Helka (2017-).
Concerned citizens and community leaders from the Oakwood area had an interest in establishing a public library in the area for several years. In June 1985, members of the Oakwood Library Advisory Committee met with representatives of Lincoln Trail Libraries System to develop an LSCA Title I Grant proposal to establish a demonstration library. The project, administered through the Illinois State Library, was based on the components of "ideal" library service described in the LTLS Strategic Planning Model research project of 1985. Beginning in October 1986, the project provided library service to approximately 4,000 citizens of the district and culminated in a referendum to legally establish the library district in April 1987. The referendum passed overwhelmingly by a 3 to 1 ratio. Library service continued with a 2nd year grant through June 30, 1988. In July 1988, proceeds from the library's first tax levy were received. On April 4, 1989, Oakwood annexed and expanded its district. The library purchased the old bank building in August 1992. A new building was built in the same location and completed in April 1998. There have been five library directors: Elizabeth Fisher-Smith (1986-1987), Susan Fletcher (1988-2004), Elizabeth Kent (2004-2012), Jennifer Hendrickson (2013-2015), Joel Shoemaker (2015-2017), Tammi Helka (2017-).
