This timeline below has the most recent news at the bottom. Scroll down to see how the library’s journey has evolved over the last decade.
Ask "What kind of community do you want?"
October 2013
The library adopted a turning outward approach and hosted multiple Oak Park Community Conversations with patrons and community members from various demographic groups, and educational and socioeconomic levels.
Designed by the Harwood Institute to help local leaders build community by focusing on shared aspirations, these conversations always started with a single question: “What kind of community do you want to live in?”
Hear what Oak Park told its library
November 2014
Across the library’s first round of Community Conversations, community aspirations emerged around the following themes:
Diversity, Inclusion, Participation, and Equity
Economy
Education and Learning
Health, Safety, Livability
Train more staff, dig deeper into shared themes
April 2015
The library’s associate director and two librarians attended Harwood practitioner training, discovering how aspirations and public knowledge can help reframe discussions, enlist allies, develop strategies, and align actions. Staff dug more deeply into shared themes from first impressions, gathering with area groups to learn more about diversity, inclusion, participation, equity, education, and learning in Oak Park.
Hire a social worker
March 2016
Joining a handful of public libraries with similar social services-based positions, the library developed a new role to provide services for the most vulnerable patrons experiencing challenges such as homelessness and access to mental health support. Rob Simmons, bringing more than 16 years of experience providing comprehensive social service expertise in for-profit, nonprofit, and education organizations, was hired as the library’s first Manager for Community Resources. He later moved into the new role of Director of Social Services and Public Safety.
Welcome a new multicultural collection
November 2016
The library acquired Oak Park Elementary School District 97’s Multicultural Collection, as the district transferred ownership of thousands of artifacts, books, and films that had since outgrown district space. As the collection’s new steward, the library planned to provide wider public access to the unique pieces and an ongoing commitment to professional curation—all in support of more hands-on learning for children and their families.
Grow a Community Resources Team
June 2017
Redefining how the library engages with all of its patrons, Manager Rob Simmons developed a new internal team (later renamed Social Services and Public Safety) that prioritized respect and dignity, using referral-based outreach to benefit vulnerable patrons, support youth development, and ensure in-house safety and security at the library.
Eliminate fines to increase use, access, equity
June 2017
The Board of Library Trustees approved new policies to go fine-free and remove meeting room fees for nonprofit organizations. Why? Fines and fees are a regressive method of raising revenue. They hurt the most those who can afford them the least. They keep people away from the library, create shame and stress-filled interactions, and require significant amounts of staff time to manage.
Offer new opportunities to connect
January 2018
Library staff members collaborated with new community partners, leading to new initiatives in restorative justice and multicultural programming as well as new opportunities in social justice, leadership, and college and career readiness for middle and high school students.
Connect patrons with social services
September 2018
Through relationships built with more than 45 Chicagoland organizations, plus extensive experience working in Oak Park, the newly formed Social Services and Public Safety team served more than 350 patrons during its first two years. Oak Park residents experiencing mental illness, homelessness, and extreme poverty gained access to support.
Host a restorative justice conference
October 2018
Over two days, restorative justice practitioners from organizations including Heartland Alliance, Catherine Cook School, and A.L.M.A. (Arts Language Music Alliance) led workshops and spoke on panels at the Main Library, sharing strategies and creating community.
Gather with allies
2019–2020
Community leaders shared ideas and challenges when approaching institutional change in support of equity and anti-racism. Groups meeting regularly included Oak Park Elementary School District 97, Oak Park and River Forest High School, River Forest Public Library, and River Forest School District 90.
Conduct an internal equity audit
February 2020
The library hired Reesheda Graham Washington & RGW Consulting to conduct an internal equity audit. She began by listening, inviting staff from historically and intentionally marginalized people groups to share their experiences working at the library.
Use circles to honor, learn from one other
March 2020
Library staff who are certified circle facilitators increasingly began using circles with staff and community members. Circles as we practice them are rooted in the traditional practices of Indigenous cultures in North America, and are a way to come together to explore a subject by asking a series of questions and providing all with an equal opportunity to share, listen to one another, and reflect on the importance to their own lives.
Bring empathy into virtual learning
April 2020
During the COVID-19 pandemic when buildings were closed, library staff created multicultural learning videos to showcase holidays and heritages. We collaborated with community members to bring “windows and mirrors” into the homes, daycares, and virtual classrooms of our youngest patrons.
Understand where we really are
April 2020
With the internal audit report from RGW Consulting, library leaders reviewed how racism exists in both patron and staff interactions, and considered recommended action steps to address it.
Create a safe space
June 2020
The library launched a Black Staff Affinity group where members can feel comfortable and set their own objectives.
Assemble a cross-section of stakeholders
July 2020
An Anti-Racism Advisory Team was formed—consisting of library staff, patrons, board representation, local administrators, and young adults— to help shape direction and to eventually develop an anti-racism strategic plan.
Be vulnerable & authentic
August 2020
Library directors and managers took part in multiple workshops on shared language and conditions for anti-racism work.
Ask "How can I empower others?"
November 2020
Aaron Alonzo became the library’s Manager of Public Safety in support of the library’s new Social Services and Public Safety model.
Offer learning to all staff members
December 2020
More than 90 library staff members took part in learning around shared language and conditions for anti-racism work.
Create a strategic plan with staff input
January 2021
Library staff members shared feedback on the Anti-Racism Advisory Team’s draft strategic plan. A second all-staff training included peace circles for sharing and building community around the objectives and actions included in the plan.
Curate an Anti-Racism Resource Challenge
February 2021
Staff created a year-long self-guided learning experience for adult and teen patrons, using specially selected books, media, articles, and websites divided into unique themes. Both the challenge itself and the materials featured in it were curated with intention, passion, and library-wide representation by the library’s Anti-Racism Resources Guide Team.
Approve an anti-racism strategic plan
March 23, 2021
In a unanimous vote, the Board of Library Trustees approved the library’s first anti-racism strategic plan, a policy dedicating resources and defining accountability.
Center marginalized people
June 2021
With the anti-racism strategic plan came a new approach to public communications, one that prioritizes relationship building and centering historically and intentionally marginalized people.
Hire a Director of Equity & Anti-Racism
September 2021
Stephen A. Jackson was hired as the new full-time Director of Equity and Anti-Racism.
Approve new policies
October 2021
On October 26, 2021, the Board of Library Trustees approved revised policies, including A Library for Everyone, Striving to Support Positive Experiences and the library’s Equity and Anti-Racism Statement.
Amplify voices, celebrate differences
November 2021
The Main Library Idea Box became a dedicated space for multicultural holiday and celebration displays. The intention was to amplify voices and celebrate differences, especially by partnering with members of the community who represent different identities.
Prioritize BIPOC artists
May 2022
After a pandemic hiatus, we welcomed local artist exhibits back to the library. A new library committee composed of a diverse group of library staff was formed to review and select exhibit proposals. This new process follows a more conscious effort to align with community-wide aspirations of diversity, equity, inclusion, literacy, and education.
Celebrate Juneteenth with Oak Park
June 2022
On June 19, all library locations were closed for the Juneteenth holiday. Library staff and board members marched in Oak Park’s first Juneteenth parade.
Proclaim our values
June 2022
To bring more visibility to the policy “A Library for Everyone: Striving to Support Positive Experiences,” we added large “A Library for Everyone” signage in the Main Library Lobby and parking garage, and on screens at Dole and Maze branches. We made new T-shirts for staff and library board members, and created and posted the full policy text on all floors in the Main Library and branch libraries.
Create new staff affinity groups
September-October 2022
Staff established two new affinity groups—one for Latine staff members and another for LGBTQ+ staff members.
Hire first Latine Language and Culture Librarian
October 2022
Nora Sanchez became the library’s first Latinx Language and Culture Librarian, and later updated her title to Latine Language and Culture Librarian based on community learning. She began successful community collaborations, including the first-ever Hispanic Heritage Month festival Convivencia, the library’s Dia de Muertos ofrenda displays and Day of the Dead Performance by the Omeyocan Dance Company, and new programs such as Noche de Loteria and Latinx Author Book Cafe.
Welcome first Black executive director
November 2022
Joslyn Bowling Dixon became the library’s first Black executive director, bringing a prolific catalog of knowledge and experience gleaned from more than 20 years of urban and suburban public library experience to her new role in Oak Park. Dixon’s hiring also increased the number of BIPOC staff in director-level positions to three, up from only one in 2017.
Offer more BIPOC-led programs
November 2022
To successfully deliver programs like the 1619 Series Anti-Racist Discussion Circle and D-Composed Concert in November 2022, we built teams with more BIPOC staff members in program planning roles, and these teams created and delivered authentic experiences that prioritized people of color.
Train more staff in restorative practices
December 2022
By the end of the year, 25 percent of all library staff had participated in ongoing restorative practices trainings. Having staff members equipped with this tool enables staff to equitably serve the community through creating spaces where people can show up authentically as themselves.
Partner to offer youth mentorship
January 2023
Our Middle & High School Services Team launched three new ways for youth in grades 6-12 to build relationships, learn with their peers and mentors, and grow in their schoolwork, job readiness, health, relationships, and overall confidence and self-awareness. The three mentorship programs were created with community organizations Your Passion 1st, A Greater Good Foundation, and the Oak Park Township.
Honor local Black history
February 2023
In honor of Black History Month, the second annual Idea Box Black History Museum honored Black Oak Park history and the leaders who defied racial barriers to lay the foundation of this diverse, progressive village.
Dedicate more to sustainability learning
April 2023
In April, the library dedicated a full-time staff position to environmental and sustainability programming and learning. Environmental Programming Specialist Christine Poreba works with community partners to bring environmental and sustainability programs to the library, including workshops about home energy improvements, electric vehicles, and solar power. In August, more than 80 participants joined a community discussion at the Main Library on the Village’s climate plan, Climate Ready Oak Park.
Create staff disability affinity group
April 2023
Staff started a new affinity group for those who are disabled, neurodivergent, or chronically ill. As with our existing Black, LGBTQ+, and Latine affinity groups, library staff voluntarily come together, chat, and share space with one another.
Be at the table for community mental health
June 2023
Director of Public Services and Social Safety Rob Simmons was recognized for his commitment and contributions as a member of Oak Park’s Alternative Call Response Task Force, which brings together a wide range of experts, community members, and specialists focused on helping individuals suffering from a mental health crisis. In June, the task force presented its findings to Oak Park’s Village Board. As one step among many, they recommended embedding crisis and social workers within the police department, so that these trained staff would be first responders, rather than police officers, when someone calls 911 for a mental health crisis.
Support democracy and the freedom to read
June 2023
At its June 20 regular meeting, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees approved a new resolution declaring the Village of Oak Park a Book Sanctuary Community. This resolution upholds the library’s and community’s values of supporting democracy, intellectual freedom, and reading diverse and inclusive books.
Celebrate disability pride
July 2023
For Disability Pride Month, the library offered storytimes, film discussions, an inclusive dance workshop, a peace circle for people who have disabilities that are not apparent, and hosted Oak Park’s first Disability Pride March.
Be transparent about the journey
July 2023
More than halfway through her first year as the library’s executive director, Joslyn Bowling Dixon reported on accomplishments and committed to new equity and anti-racism work. “I am proud of the anti-racism and equity work our library has accomplished so far, and I am excited for the next chapter,” she said. “We will never be ‘done’ with striving to provide a culture that actively demonstrates that we are A Library For Everyone.”
Celebrate 50 years of hip hop
September 2023
We celebrated hip hop as it turned 50, along with many other libraries, museums, colleges, universities, and archives around the country. The collaborative initiative, Collections of Culture: 50 Years of Hip Hop Inside Libraries, Museums and Archives, was led by the Queens Public Library and funded by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. In Oak Park, we put on a supa dupa fly fashion show, film screenings, spoken word and arts workshops, a T-shirt design contest, karaoke in the Idea Box, and more.
Win award for teen mental health partnership
October 2023
A research partnership between the library and Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine won an award for its strong collaborative research principles and work to impact health and equity in Oak Park and neighboring communities. The partnership’s goal is to provide accessible, evidence-based mental health services to local teens, particularly those from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic communities and those who most experience health inequities.
Accept award for LGBTQ+ programs & more
October 2023
OPALGA+ (Oak Park Area Gay and Lesbian Association) recognized our library for “outstanding efforts on behalf of LGBTQ+ people in Oak Park and the surrounding area.”
Offer gender-affirming workshops
November 2023
We offered two adult programs focused on trans and nonbinary identities and gender-affirming care. As a Library for Everyone, we believe that offering programs like these are a necessary component of us striving to be an anti-racist and equitable organization.
Sharing our impact
February 2024
We shared our 2023 Strategic Priorities and Equity & Anti-Racism reports, with stories and data that showcase the library’s progress in becoming an equitable and anti-racist organization, connecting people and building community, empowering every voice in our community, and more. Read the reports »
