The elected Board of Library Trustees meets monthly, typically at 6:30 pm on the fourth Tuesday, unless otherwise noted on the library calendar. All meetings are open to the public. Have public comments to share? Please consider using this public comment form »
Joslyn Bowling Dixon is Oak Park’s new library executive director
On Friday, October 7, the Board of Library Trustees was thrilled to formally announce its unanimous vote Thursday, October 6, to hire Joslyn Bowling Dixon as the library’s next executive director. Joslyn accepted the position and began her new role on Monday, November 7. More »
Board meeting Zoom links, materials & minutes by year
Primary library trustee responsibilities
- Determine library policies.
- Employ a capable library administrator.
- Secure adequate funds for library operations.
- Approve expenditure of library funds.
- Provide and maintain adequate facilities.
- Insure a representative selection of library materials.
- Promote use of the library within the community.
- Perform other duties as outlined in Illinois Compiled Statutes.
- Read the full library board bylaws »
About your trustees
Virginia Bloom
Finance Officer, Library Anti-Racism Advisory Team Representative, term ends 2023
trustee.virginiab@oppl.org
Bloom moved to Oak Park in 2012 and currently lives within walking distance of the Maze Branch Library. She has previously volunteered as a site captain for PADS/Housing Forward and served on their Shelter Committee. When she is not reading or listening to podcasts, she sings with her a cappella group and enjoys Oak Park’s many walks and parks.
Colleen Burns
iGov Committee Oak Park Public Library Representative, term ends 2023
trustee.colleenb@oppl.org
Burns is a healthcare attorney and consultant specializing in the Affordable Care Act. She served in the Quinn administration in the Governor’s Office of Health Innovation and Transformation where she was Policy Director. Colleen was elected delegate from Illinois’ 3rd Congressional District to the Democratic National Convention in both 2008 and 2016.
Madhurima Chakraborty
Library Board Secretary, term ends 2025
trustee.madhurimac@oppl.org
Chakraborty is Associate Professor in the English and Creative Writing Department at Columbia College Chicago, where she is also serving as the President of the Faculty Senate. She lives with her husband and son in South Oak Park.
Susanne Fairfax
Trustee, term ends 2023
trustee.susannef@oppl.org
Fairfax is a writer, photographer, and filmmaker. She has served on numerous committees and boards in Oak Park and beyond with emphases on equity, media, literature, and sustainability. She and her wife moved to Oak Park 16 years ago and have become deeply connected with the community and immersed in efforts to make it even better.
Theodore N. Foss
Library Board Vice President, term ends 2023
trustee.theodoref@oppl.org
Foss is a 20-year resident of Oak Park. He has been an administrator and Chinese historian at the University of Chicago, Stanford, and University of San Francisco. Foss also has served on a number of national and local boards, including the Frank Lloyd Wright Preservation Trust. In his spare time Foss is an avid music advocate and gardener.
Matthew Fruth
Library Board President, term ends 2025
trustee.matthewf@oppl.org
Kristina Rogers
Friends of the Oak Park Public Library Board Liaison, term ends 2023
trustee.kristinar@oppl.org
Rogers works in the early childhood field, on community systems change. She received a master’s of science degree in Public Service Management from DePaul University, where she participated in a short-term study abroad program in Northern Ireland to explore their peace and reconciliation efforts. She lives near the the Dole Branch Library with her husband, toddler, and dog.
Prevailing Wage Rates
On Tuesday, June 26, 2018, the Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees passed a Resolution Adopting Prevailing Wage Rates to be Paid to Laborers, Mechanics, and other Workers Performing Construction of Public Works for the Oak Park Public Library, Cook County, Illinois. A copy of that resolution is available upon request. Please use the following links to the Illinois Department of Labor (current prevailing wage rates and Cook County table by title (pdf)) to see the prevailing wage schedule for our county.
