The Oak Park Public Library’s Main Library is the culmination of design goals to create a civic building that adds to the architectural heritage of Oak Park, reflects the diversity of the community and minimizes impact on the natural environment. Designed by the firm of Nagle Hartray Architecture in collaboration with interior design firm Eva Maddox Branded Environments, the 104,000-square-foot structure was awarded the Chicago Building Congress Merit Award for Best New Construction – Suburbs in 2004. A third-floor Special Collections department is home to collections that reflect the cultural heritage of the community. Physical items include collections related to Frank Lloyd Wright, the Open Housing Movement and The Scoville Institute, a precursor to the Oak Park Public Library founded in 1903.
