Mary Adamowski never planned to become the Library Director when she first walked through the doors of the Orland Park Public Library in the fall of 1987. Back then, she was just a young mom bringing her son to storytime—and on a whim, responding to a job posting for a circulation clerk.
That moment turned into a lifelong calling.
Fast forward nearly four decades, and Adamowski now stands at the helm of the library as its director, recently honored with the prestigious Woman in Leadership Award by the Orland Women’s Networking committee, a division of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at the OWN Luncheon on March 20 at Gaelic Park.
“What a wonderful, unexpected surprise to be given the award,” Adamowski said. “Out of all of the inspiring women in this community, I am humbled and awestruck.”
For those who work alongside her, the recognition comes as no surprise.
“Mary has lived in Orland Park for what seems like forever,” said Jackie Boyd, a longtime colleague and library employee. “She’s been everything here—Page, Youth Services Librarian, Head of Youth Services, Assistant Director. Now she’s our Library Director. She’s the top librarian in the building. Every staff member reports to her.”
Adamowski officially became Director in June 2021, but her connection to the library spans almost as long as her residency in Orland Park. She’s called the village home since 1987, and her roots run deep. After joining the library, she climbed through the ranks while also earning her Master’s in Library and Information Science from Dominican University—a degree she completed while working full time and raising a family.
“I realized that in order to grow in the profession, I needed to keep learning,” Adamowski said. “Thankfully, OPPL offered a tuition reimbursement program that helped me pursue my degree.”
Her passion for serving the public, especially young readers, never went unnoticed. In 2007, she was named Youth Services Librarian of the Year by the Illinois Library Association, which was an early testament to the care and creativity she brought to the job.
But if you try to Google her, Boyd adds, be sure not to confuse her with her sister-in-law, Betsy Adamowski, who was named Librarian of the Year in 2018 and currently serves as the Executive Director of the Wheaton Public Library. “Library excellence clearly runs in the family,” Boyd said.
As Director, Adamowski now oversees a staff of 93 and leads with a spirit of inclusivity, innovation, and enthusiasm.
“No two days are alike,” she said. “Whether we’re hosting dementia caregiver support events, piano concerts in the lobby, or storytimes for toddlers, our mission is to offer something for everyone in Orland Park.”
Adamowski said the award is about the bigger picture.
“By receiving the Woman in Leadership Award, I believe the library has been recognized for all the good it has to offer,” she said. “I am blessed to have a team that shares my vision and works beside me every day to make it a reality.”
From paging books to leading a vital community institution, Adamowski’s career is a story of dedication, vision, and heart—a story that, fittingly, started with a trip to the library.
