The Oak Park Public Library recently won a national award for its transgender materials, a specialty collection that's a first in the U.S.

The Gordon M. Conable Award is given out each year by the Public Library Association, acknowledging an individual or public library that, according to the association, has "demonstrated a commitment to intellectual freedom and the Library Bill of Rights."

With the award, announced Feb. 2, the library will get a plaque and a check for $1,500. They'll use the money to further build the collection, and to raise awareness about it.

"We are thrilled to have this work recognized as an important aspect to intellectual freedom," said Bleue Benton, collection development manager for the library. "It recognizes that our public library truly is a place for everyone."

In most public libraries, the few transgender titles are nestled among works in a larger, general section for Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender materials. At the main branch of Oak Park's library, the general category is transgender and, in that category, you'll find such subcategories as historical, cultural and global views; performing arts and the media; general works; memoirs and personal stories; and medical and legal concerns.

The section came together in 2007 with help from a $3,000 federal grant that the Oak Park Library Board of Trustees opted to apply for the year before, after noting local demand for such specialty material.

Along with the materials, the library has held awareness workshops for its staff to increase sensitivity in serving and employing transgender people.

Books and periodicals in this collection are on the third floor of the library's main branch, at 834 Lake. Movies are on the second floor. To learn more about the collection, go to www.oppl.org/media/trc.htm.