For more information call 708-697-6915.
If you need special accommodations to attend
any of these events please call 708-697-6909.
Attendance at Library programs and events constitutes
consent to be photographed for Oak Park Public Library
publicity purposes. It should be noted, however, that
names of individuals will not be used in photo captions.
=Main Library =Maze Branch =Dole Branch
= event for kids

Thursday, May 1

Library Gallery Exhibit. "Essential Heartland: Prairies and Woodlands." Works by Mel Thompson will be on display through May 31. A reception for the artist will be held May 4. Open to the public. Art Gallery, Second Floor, Main Library.

Computer Class: Basic Computer Skills for Beginners. First of two sessions. Second session meets May 8. Registration is required. Sign up at the Information Services Desk or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Celebrate Jane Austen: Film Showing! Join us to watch Becoming Jane. 7 p.m. Dole Branch.

Whiskey Bucket Blues Concert. Poet-songwriter Charlie Rossiter, bluesman Henry Berry and guitarist Jack Rossiter-Munley perform. 7:30 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Saturday, May 3

Saturday Storytimes: Spring To It. Bask in the warmth of Ms. Leslie’s sunny storytime. 10:30 a.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Mom's the word... Drop-in to create a beautiful gift for mom, hand-made to make her heart melt. All ages are welcome, and no registration is required. 3 p.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Sunday, May 4

On Track: All About Trains Film Series: "The Train." A thriller in which Burt Lancaster is a train inspector who joins the French Resistance to stop the Nazis from smuggling a load of French Impressionist paintings out of Paris during the German Occupation. 133 minutes. Screening hosted by Doug Deuchler, film historian and writer. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library. 2 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Reception for Gallery Exhibit. Works by Mel Thompson will be on display through May 31. Reception is open to the public. 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. Art Gallery, Second Floor, Main Library.

Monday, May 5

BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Chess Night. Bring your favorite board to share some rounds of open chess in the friendly confines of the Main Library. A small supply of boards will be available if you don't have your own. No registration required. BYOB Chess Nights are on Mondays when the Main Library is open. Call 708-452-3440 with any questions. 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, May 6

Book Discussion: Celebrate Jane Austen! Join us for a book discussion of Pride and Prejudice, her family's favorite. We'll serve tea and little cakes. 7:30 p.m. Dole Branch.

Wednesday, May 7

Computer Class: Take a Trip Online. Learn to search the web for travel bargains, tours, transportation, and more. Begin with these resources for travel in the United States. Registration is required. Sign up at the Information Services Desk or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Just Jarmusch Film Series: "Coffee & Cigarettes." Oak Park Viewers American Masters series continues with films by Jim Jarmusch on the first Wednesday of every month. Expect inspired quietude, pitch-perfect dialog, and evening explorations through the unusual and sincere stuff of life. In Coffee & Cigarettes Jarmusch shows just how absorbing the obsessions, joys, and addictions of life can be, if truly observed in this cumulative series of comic vignettes. As characters discuss things as diverse as caffeine popsicles, Paris in the 1920s, and the use of nicotine as an insecticide, coffee and cigarettes figure filmically as central character, hinting at a depth behind the wild fun of watching the stellar cast. For more information call 708-452-3451. 6:30 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Spanish Conversation Practice Group. Practice your Spanish language skills with native speakers on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Leader: John Cabal, native Spanish speaker. 7 p.m. Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, May 8

Computer Class: Basic Computer Skills for Beginners. Second of two sessions. First session meets May 1. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Historic Route 66. Stories, photos, and music presented by Windy City Road Warrior Dave Clark. Through eight states and three time zones, Route 66 is still America's Mother Road. 7 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Saturday, May 10

"Know Your Numbers." The Village of Oak Park's Health Department offers this free screening program designed to test blood pressure, cholesterol, height, weight, etc. Walk-ins are welcome, but appointments can be made by calling the Village at 708-358-5481. Screenings available at the Main Library on the second Saturday of each month. 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Group Study Room D, Third Floor, Main Library.

Saturday Storytimes: Yay, Moms! Join Ms. Shelley for a celebration of mothers. 10:30 a.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Karen Green Memorial Reception. New library collection materials in gardening, art, and social justice were purchased in memory of Karen Green by her family. These new items will be on display at the Reception. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dole Branch.

Monday, May 12

Meet & Greet: Curious George! Celebrate Children’s Book Week with your favorite mischief-making monkey. Come to a special storytime, then stay for a visit from George. (Bring your camera!) No registration is required. This program is best enjoyed by children ages 2 to 6. 10:30 a.m. Dole Branch.

BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Chess Night. Cancelled.

Oak Park Photography Club. All skill levels welcome. Club meets second and fourth Mondays. 7 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, May 13

Computer Class: Introduction to the World Wide Web. First of two sessions. Second session meets May 20. Registration is required. Sign up at the Information Services Desk or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Meet & Greet: Curious George! Celebrate Children’s Book Week with your favorite mischief-making monkey. Come to a special storytime, then stay for a visit from George. (Bring your camera!) No registration is required. This program is best enjoyed by children ages 2 to 6. 10:30 a.m. Maze Branch.

Wednesday, May 14

T.A.C. (Teen Advisory Council) Meeting. The Oak Park Public Library TAC is a group of teens ages 11 to 18 who want to make the library a better place. If you want your voice to be heard, you would be a great TAC member. No registration is required for this volunteer program. 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Author Program: Lisa Dalton. Dalton, contributor to Water Cooler Diaries: Women Across America Share Their Day at Work, talks about her writing. 7 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Book Discussion: The Stranger by Albert Camus. Camus, who won a Nobel Prize in 1957, was noted for his existential esthetic. This is a disturbing story of a disaffected young man who ends up killing a man. 7:30 p.m. Maze Branch.

Great Books Book Discussion: The Use of Force by William Carlos Williams and The Minister's Black Veil by Nathaniel Hawthorne. The Great Books Book Discussion meets the second Wednesday of each month. Each discussion focuses on selections from The Civically Engaged Reader and be led by a trained Great Books moderator. 7:30 p.m. Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, May 15

Computer Class: Buying on eBay. Learn the basics of searching for auction items, placing a bid, and finally purchasing an item on eBay. Sign up at the Information Services Desk or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Friday, May 16

Preschool Storytime FRIDAY SPECIALS. Enjoy this"guest star" storytime. Drop on in—no registration is required. Best for children ages 3 to 5. 10 a.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

After-Hours Teen Coffeehouse: Fire on the Mic. Teen Coffeehouse brings together area teens to showcase their skills on our stage every third Friday. Bring poetry, dance, hip-hop, music, comedy-whatever you do! Food and drinks are always provided. No registration is required. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Sunday, May 18

Free Readers Ensemble: "Swordplay." "Swordplay" was Adapted by ensemble member Jerry Bloom from several short plays written by Lope DeVega, who was a contemporary of Cervantes, and is said to have published 1500 pieces in his lifetime! This is classic Spanish drama: love vs. honor. The characters are all standard Commedia Dell' Arte: the lovers, the comic servant, the amorous maid, the braggart captain, the dishonest servant, and the old fool. The plot is tried and true: love, jealousy, deception, dishonor, murder, revenge, and of course - a happy ending. For more information see the Free Readers Ensemble website. 3 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Monday, May 19

BYOB (Bring Your Own Board) Chess Night. Cancelled.

Teen Movie Madness: The Golden Compass. What could be better than free snacks and free movies on the big screen? Contact Young Adult Librarian Monica Harris at or 708-452-3456 for more information about the program. 6:30 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Celebrate Jane Austen: "Love and Jane Austen." Join Dr. Elisabeth Lenckos as she examines the romantic relationships between Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet (Pride and Prejudice), Captain Wentworth and Anne Elliot (Persuasion), and other Austen lovers "in the know." Gain new insights into Austen and love as Dr. Lenckos explores the emotional and moral philosophies at the heart of Austen's elegant, witty fiction and demonstrates Austen's affinity with the progressive ideas of Hume, Burke, Smith, and Samuel Johnson. You will see that Austen considered true love as a way to self-improvement - a modern concept of love that is still as exciting and as meaningful today as it was in Austen's own time. Dr. Elisabeth Lenckos is academic adviser for the Jane Austen Society of North America Greater Chicago Region. Lecture is free and open to the public. 7 p.m. Dole Branch.

Pajama Storytime. Wear your PJ's and bring a stuffed friend to this special evening storytime. No registration is required. This program is best enjoyed by children ages 2 to 6. 7 p.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, May 20

Computer Class: Introduction to the World Wide Web. Second of two sessions. First session meets May 13. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Explore China! Join Grace Lee from the Intercultural Montessori Language School for stories and crafts from China. Please call 708-452-3420 to register, starting May 12. This program is best enjoyed by children ages 3 to 6. 10 a.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Wednesday, May 21

Book Discussion: Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro. Kathy, now a young woman, grew up as a student at Hailsham, an exclusive and picturesque boarding school in the English countryside. Her friends Ruth and Tommy have reentered her life, and together they explore the memories of their past—and the dark and mysterious secrets of their "special" purpose in life. 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Celebrate Jane Austen: Film Showing! Join us to watch The Jane Austen Book Club. 7 p.m. Dole Branch.

Spanish Conversation Practice Group. Practice your Spanish language skills with native speakers on the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Leader: John Cabal, native Spanish speaker. 7 p.m. Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Library Board of Trustees Meeting. Open to the public. 7:30 p.m. Scoville Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, May 22

Computer Class: Beyond the Basics of the World Wide Web. Move beyond the topics covered in the Introduction class. Topics include email, advanced finding tools, evaluating the accuracy of web pages, and demonstration of useful websites. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

The Soul of South Africa: Slide/Lecture. World traveler Bill Helmuth presents the many people and places of this African country. 7 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Friday, May 23

Preschool Storytime FRIDAY SPECIALS. Enjoy this"guest star" storytime. Drop on in—no registration is required. Best for children ages 3 to 5. 10 a.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Sunday, May 25

All Library Locations Closed for Memorial Day Holiday. More Library closings.

Monday, May 26

All Library Locations Closed for Memorial Day. More Library closings.

Tuesday, May 27

Sneak Preview by Village Players. Artistic Director Carl Occhipinti and cast members discuss and present a scene from "The Full Monty." 7 p.m. Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Wednesday, May 28

Computer Class: Online Tools @ Your Fingertips. Learn to search newspapers, magazines, and more with online tools available at the Library. Sign up at the Information Services Desk or call 708-452-3480. 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, May 29

Computer Class: Genealogy on the World Wide Web. This beginners level class will focus on finding genealogical information on the Internet. Emphasis will be on exploring the best free sites and databases available for genealogical research. Sign up at the Information Services Desk or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Friday, May 30

Preschool Storytime FRIDAY SPECIALS. Enjoy this"guest star" storytime. Drop on in—no registration is required. Best for children ages 3 to 5. 10 a.m. Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Saturday, May 31

Battle of the Bands. Come watch local teens compete for a chance to advance to the regional competition in July. Besides the opportunity to hear 6 great local bands, we're also holding a Guitar Hero 3 tournament so everyone will get a chance to rock out. Plus there will be chances for the audience to win some really cool prizes just for showing up. And best yet...it's all FREE! For information on entering your band, visit www.oakparkteens.com/bob.html. 1 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Scoville Park, next to Main Library.