About Us

Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library

Free to the People Since 1958.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library is to meet the educational, cultural, and recreational information needs of the Oakland Park community in a manner which would assure top quality, progressive service and convenient access to all in our diverse community. The Library sets out to provide a challenging life-long learning environment offering a varied, current and significant collection of library materials, technology, programs, and activities that will facilitate the creation of knowledge in our community.

Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library

In Honor of Ethel M. Gordon

1897-1973

In 1951, Ethel M. Gordon led the Women's Club in the creation of a municipal library system that has evolved into the present day Oakland Park Library.  She donated her own books to help start the collection and became the first volunteer to staff the Library which started in the Oakland Park Women's Clubhouse.  Ms. Gordon ran for a seat on the City Commission on a one-issue campaign, which was to establish a library in the city.  She won her seat and was appointed on January 4, 1956.  The City of Oakland Park Library opened February 10, 1958.  In recognition of her efforts, the Oakland Park City Commission voted on October 16, 2013 to officially name the Library the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library.

Friends of the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library

The Friends of the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library is a non-profit organization that plans fundraising programs and events in support of the library. The Friends also hold used book sales several times a year. Books and other materials donations are gladly accepted at the library all year long. For more information about the Friends, click here.

Oakland Park Historical Society

The offices and materials collection of the Historical Society are housed in the Ethel M. Gordon Oakland Park Library. Find out more about Oakland Park's history and the collection on the History page. 

Volunteers

The library welcomes volunteers at many levels of service from shelving materials to teaching classes or leading a program. Teen volunteers who are 16 years of age or older can earn their required school service hours at the library. Volunteer opportunities are subject to availability. Learn more about the City's Volunteer Corps.