Oakwood's Lu Ann Stanley receives Ohio Library Council 2026 Local Library Champion Award

Oakwood resident Lu Ann Stanley has received statewide recognition for her longtime support of Wright Memorial Public Library. Stanley is the recipient of the 2026 Local Library Champion Award from the Ohio Library Council. The Local Library Champion Award recognizes individuals whose exceptional volunteer leadership, advocacy, and dedication have made a lasting impact on their libraries and communities.

Through nearly two decades of extraordinary volunteer leadership, advocacy, and philanthropy, Stanley has helped strengthen Wright Memorial Public Library’s role as a thriving community anchor. Stanley has served on both the library’s foundation board and board of trustees. She is a current board member of the Wright Library Foundation.

“Lu Ann’s service to the library has been long and varied. You can see her impact in so much of the library,” said Library Trustee Jennifer Enseleit. “She continuously asks how can the library evolve to best serve the community and always says yes to projects large and small to help make it happen. We are so thankful for her years of service and look forward to many more.”

A Lasting Legacy

Since joining the Wright Memorial Public Library Foundation in 2009, Stanley has dedicated her time, expertise, and personal resources to advancing the library's mission. Drawing on her experience as an attorney and deep knowledge of the community, she helped build the Foundation's fundraising capacity, growing its annual campaign from just $6,000 in 2009 to more than $128,000 in 2025. Her leadership has generated private support that restored library hours, enhanced collections and services, and helped complete two major renovation projects that modernized the library while preserving its historic character. Appointed to the Library Board of Trustees in 2011, Stanley became a driving force behind many of the library's most significant accomplishments. She provided steady leadership during organizational transitions, helped recruit and support a leadership team focused on community engagement, and championed strategic planning that positioned the library for long-term success.

As a leader on the Facilities and Communications Committees, Stanley helped guide a comprehensive renovation that improved accessibility, created modern learning spaces for all ages, restored historic architectural features, and enhanced the library's role as a community gathering place.

Her Vision

“Wright Library is a beautiful historic library in the heart of Oakwood. My vision, when I joined the Board of Trustees in 2011, was to restore the library to the highest level of excellence, to recapture the look and feel of the original Tudor-revival architecture, to emphasize the library’s Oakwood roots, and to create a 21st century learning environment reflecting our community’s interest in literacy and education,” Stanley said. “With an incredible team of library leaders and volunteers, led by the extraordinary Library Director, Kristi Hale, Wright Library ultimately gained national recognition as an American Star Library of Excellence.”

Current Role

After completing her service on the Board of Trustees due to term limits in 2025, Stanley returned to the Foundation Board, where she now works with the Legacy Society Committee to encourage planned giving and ensure sustainable support for future generations.

Stanley was formally recognized during a special ceremony on Oct. 21, 2026, at the Kalahari Convention Center in Sandusky, Ohio, as part of the Ohio Library Council's Convention and Expo.