Our History
Oak Ridge Public Library began, as most organizations in Oak Ridge did, as a community effort to fill a need. In May of 1944, residents in Oak Ridge wanted books and magazines, but the ongoing war and the secret nature of Oak Ridge made it difficult to get reading material. City residents pooled their resources and began sharing their own magazines with the help of the Boy Scouts, who collected and delivered magazines to the dormitories, hospitals, and common areas around town. The first library building was located on the corner of Kentucky and Tennessee Avenues, near Jackson Square, and contained about 1,700 books. In 1970, the library moved to its current location on Oak Ridge Turnpike. The Oak Ridge Room was dedicated in 1986 as part of the Library’s celebration of Tennessee’s Homecoming ‘86. Today, the library continues to serve the diverse community in Oak Ridge. With a collection of 111,000 books, movies, music CDs, and audiobooks, the library also offers e-books and downloadable audiobooks, streaming services, mobile printing, digital archives, laptops, and engaging programs for all ages.
Our Values
Our staff shares the mission of creating and maintaining a patron-centered library that is the heart of our community.
We work efficiently and focus on what needs to be accomplished, supporting each other while being respectful, friendly, and protecting the privacy of all who come into the library.
Our Team
Julie F.
Library Director
Lexie R.
Admin Associate
Yvonne O.
Library Publicist
Ana V.
Page Coordinator
Jacob B.
Patron Clerk
Bailey L.
Item Clerk
Bri W.
Sunday Clerk
Maddie R.
Library Page
Shannan G.
Library Page
Terésa P.
Library Page
Colleen R.
Library Page
Ella R.
Library Page
Michaela M.
Children's Librarian
Michael R.
Children's Clerk
Chad B.
Children's Clerk
William G.
Community Services Librarian
Mike S.
Local History Specialist
Sarah F.
Technology Specialist
Emily C.
Outreach Specialist
Haley S.
Technical Services Librarian
Ashley W.
Fiction Clerk
Steve S.
Receiving Clerk
Willie W.
Library Systems Administrator