Born in Chicago in 1904, Ruth Strand moved to Elmhurst with her family in 1915. While attending York Community High School, she began a long career of public service at Elmhurst Public Library as a high school page. Strand earned library science degrees from Northwestern and Columbia Universities and went on to serve twenty years as head librarian in Elmhurst until her retirement in 1968. She had a keen sense for helping patrons find books they did not know they wanted or needed. She spearheaded the addition of a new wing to the old library building in 1965 that included The Ruth Strand Children's Room. Ruth Strand also had an avid interest in the history of Elmhurst. After her retirement she became an active volunteer at Elmhurst History Museum and contributed to several volumes on the city's history.