We are Passionate About Our Community
We welcome you to visit the library to browse materials, use the computers or Wi-Fi, or attend a variety of programs.
Our mission is to serve as a vital part of the community providing informational and recreational opportunities in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere.
Our History
The library began serving the residents of Oakland City in 1918 in its original location in the upstairs of the old City Hall building at 210 S. Washington St. The original collection of 900 books was primarily composed of fiction materials but did include a full 32 volume set of Encyclopedia Britannica as well as a Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary.
The library remained in the City Hall building until it moved to the current location at 210 S. Main St in 1973. Residents no longer had to climb the steep stairs of the old making the building easier to access. In 1991 the library underwent a major renovation doubling in size and adding a meeting room for public use. At this time, our collection holds over 15,000 items available in-house, as well as over 180,000 e-book titles and over 40.000 e-audio titles via our digital collection.
Julie Elmore, Library Director
Julie has her Master’s Degree in Library Sciences from Clarion University. She has been working at the library since June of 2009 and as a library volunteer long before then. She is incredibly passionate about small and rural libraries and the importance they play in our nation’s communities. Over the years, she has held leadership roles in the Association for Rural & Small Libraries and welcomes opportunities to work with groups to make sure Oakland City has the best library service possible.
Her favorite part of the job is a toss-up between seeing story time kids become independent readers, turning on readers to her favorite authors (Colleen Hoover and Heather Gudenkauf anyone???). Her proudest accomplishments at the library have been the addition of a library van to begin homebound deliveries, the increase in daytime adult programs, and every grant she secures for new programs.
Front Desk Circulation Team
Our library clerks are best in the land! These three work hard to not only provide fabulous customer service, but also stand ready, willing, and able to assist our guests with their needs. Whether it is finding your next great read, helping you register for a program, assist you with printing and faxing, or using other library services, our team is ready to help. Also, be sure to check out their book recommendations by the circulation desk, you don’t want to miss those books!
Housekeeping
Maintaining a welcoming environment is a top priority and that means it needs to be kept tidy. We are super grateful to have our cleaner who makes sure the messes stay away and patrons have a space ready to be used.
Our Board
The library is governed by a seven-member volunteer Board of Trustees. Trustees are appointed to a four-year term by the City Council, County Council, County Commissioners, Columbia Township Board, and the East Gibson School Corporation.
The Board meets on the second Wednesday of every month at 4pm in the library’s Meeting Room. The public is welcomed to attend these public meetings.
Policy for addressing the board during public comment section of the meeting.
