In memory of Barbara Lou (Anderson) Dew.​

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Barbara served as Director of the Ottawa Library for 25 years, from April 1982 until her retirement on October 31st, 2007. Her career at Ottawa Library spanned 32 years, having begun on July 28th, 1975.​

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Throughout her tenure at the Ottawa Library, Barbara's focus was on improving and expanding services provided to the community. During this time, many significant changes occurred: the move to a new facility at 105 S. Hickory Street in August 1996; expansion of the genealogy section; and the advent of the digital age, incorporating computers into the library experience. Not only did the library establish a website and implemented a digital catalog and lending system, but public computers also made internet access available to the patrons for the first time.

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Through her personal memberships in Daughters of the American Revolution, Daughters of the Colonial Wars, and Daughters of American Colonists, Barbara developed a keen interest in historical and genealogical research. She and her husband spent many family vacations searching for elusive family tidbits by visiting historical locales and during travels to England and Scotland. Her goal was to improve the genealogical resources available to the community through the Ottawa Library. This memorial is intended to perpetuate her goal by continuing to support the Ottawa Library in the maintenance of local historical and genealogical resources, as well as by promoting genealogical research.

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