In The Beginning... In 1954 the newly formed Clarkston Community Women's Club, sparked by Janet Rose, created a committee led by Phyllis Stackable to develop a community library. Books were collected and stored before a location, the small white building by the former Independence Township Hall (90 N Main St), was secured. Ruth M. G. Shakespeare, a librarian from Detroit Public Library, initiated the first major contribution of children's books. This grass-roots venture was sustained by a myriad of fundraisers such as teas, card parties, fashion shows, "Birthday Calendar" sales, plus generous donations of time and money from people who recognized the value of a community library. In 1965 the Women's club transferred the library to the authority of Independence Township. The Library was officially established under Act 269, the School Code of 1955, making the Library a Township Department governed by the Independence Township Board.