For more information call 708-697-6915.
If you need special accommodations to attend
any of these events please call 708-452-3471.
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 = event for teens

more events happening at the Library

Wednesday, July 1

Adult Summer Reading Program. The Adult Summer Reading Program is in full swing! Download a reading log (PDF file) or pick one up any any library location and enter for your chance to win! Every book you read or listen to is an entry into the program. We'll have a drawing at each library location every week in July for $10 Trader Joe's gift cards, and everyone has a chance to win our grand prize drawing after the program ends on August 7. More details.

Teen Summer Reading Program: Express Yourself @ Your Library. The teen summer reading program, for teens entering grades 6 and up, runs through August 7. More details.

Kids' Summer Reading Program: Be Creative @ Your Library! BE CREATIVE @ YOUR LIBRARY runs through Friday, August 7. All a child needs to sign up is an Oak Park Public Library card. More details.

Computer Class: Basic Computer Skills for Beginners. This class is for beginners who have not used computers before. First of two sessions. Second session meets July 8. Registration is required. Sign up at the Third Floor Service Desk at the Main Library or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Maze Movie Matinee: High School Musical. 2 pm Maze Branch.

Maze Kids Book Group: The Homework Machine. Join the discussion of this book by Dan Gutman. Copies of The Homework Machine will be available at the Maze Branch a month before the discussion. 4 pm to 5 pm Maze Branch.

Open Boardgame Play. Open Gaming with the Chicago Boardgames Meetup group. You bring it, we play it! Or just bring yourself, there will be quite a few games available. 6:30 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, July 2

Library Gallery Exhibit. Paintings by Robert Kwas will be on display through July 30. A reception for the artist will be held July 9. Open to the public. Art Gallery, Second Floor, Main Library.

Show your colors! Celebrate the 4th of July with a Stars and Stripes Spinner! Make a patriotic spinner to hang on your porch. Kids ages 4 to 11 years of age are welcome to make this fun holiday craft. No registration is needed. 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm Storytime Room, First Floor, Main Library.

Oak Park Job Club. Professional Career Coaches Peggy Kraigie and April Kenfield will guide networking and provide tips to move your job search forward. Networking begins at 6 pm Presentation begins at 6:30 pm The Job Club will meet weekly through August. Call the Library at 708-452-3471 to register or request accommodation. 6 pm Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Saturday, July 4

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

Monday, July 6

Chess Open Play. Open play for all ages, all skill levels. Every Monday. Drop in when you can. 5:30 pm to 9 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, July 7

Teen D.I.Y. Everyone's favorite crafty program is back in style this summer. Teens in grades 6 to 12 can join the crafty revolution with their own handmade goods. On July 7 make a necklace, pin, or earrings for yourself or a friend using the colorful fun of shrinky-dinks! All supplies are provided. More T.D.I.Y. on August 4. No registration is required. 2 pm to 4 pm Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Wednesday, July 8

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

Preschool Fun! Join Amy Pappageorge from Musikgarten of Oak Park in an energetic and participatory program of storytelling, music, and movement for 3 to 6 year olds. Register at the Dole Branch starting June 29. 10:30 am Dole Branch.

Blondell Crazy Film Series: Three On A Match. After she gets out of the reformatory, Blondell and two former childhood friends, Bette Davis and Ann Dvorak, meet for lunch and bring each other up to date on their lives. Three On A Match, 1932, 63 minutes, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Film historian Doug Deuchler will lead a discussion following the film. You are invited to bring a lunch; light refreshments will be provided. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library. 12:30 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Maze Movie Matinee: Hairspray. 2 pm Maze Branch.

Book Discussion: Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. The discussion is open to anyone with a love of reading and a willingness to talk and listen. Copies of Lolita will be available at the Maze Branch a month before the discussion. 7:30 pm Maze Branch.

Oak Park Viewers Cult Classics Film Series: Freaks. Every second Wednesday from July through December, Oak Park Viewers presents a selection of cult classics: the wild, the weird, and the wonderful. A discussion will follow each film. Freaks: "The Strangest... The Most Startling Human Story Ever Screened... Are You Afraid To Believe What Your Eyes See?" In a side-show circus, a beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance. 1932, directed by Tod Browning. 82 minutes. 7 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Great Books Discussion: Selected Poetry by Emily Dickinson. This monthly discussion, led by a Great Books Foundation-trained moderator, focuses on readings from Happiness and Discontent, available on the Third Floor of the Main Library (808 HAP) or through the Great Books Foundation. 7:30 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, July 9

Get Creative at the Library. Make bookmarks and cards using a variety of materials including ribbons, stamps, and vintage buttons. No experience needed! Supplies are included for this program which is free and open to the public. 2pm to 4 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Oak Park Job Club. Professional Career Coaches Peggy Kraigie and April Kenfield will guide networking and provide tips to move your job search forward. Networking begins at 6 pm Presentation begins at 6:30 pm The Job Club will meet weekly through August. Call the Library at 708-452-3471 to register or request accommodation. 6 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Reception for Gallery Exhibit. Paintings by Robert Kwas will be on display through July 30. Reception is open to the public. 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm Art Gallery, Second Floor, Main Library.

Friday, July 10

4664 Boomers: Choosing Sides. An evening of music, food, and games. All ages are welcome! Bring a favorite album or board game. 7:30 pm to 10 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Saturday, July 11

SmashKart Tournament. Join us for a whole season of competitive Mario Kart Wii and Super Smash Brothers Brawl featuring 32 players in a simultaneous single elimination tournament. Players entering grades 6 through 12 will compete monthly for a chance to win $40, $30, $20, and $10 gift certificates to Best Buy, and the chance to compete in the tournament finals for a chance at an iPod Touch, Nintendo DSi, an iPod Nano, and an iPod Shuffle. Pre-registration is recommended for this program. Please call 708-452-3440 or stop by the Main Library to sign up for our first tournament beginning Saturday, June 27. Doors open for the tournament at 10 am Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Sunday, July 12

Book Launch: Final Feliz by Taj. Oak Park dancer Taj hosts a book launch for Final Feliz - a book born to stimulate awareness through artistic expression. Much more than a book launch, the event will include a global dance performance. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the Q Fund for Aids." The program is free and open to the public. 3 pm to 5 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Monday, July 13

Chess Open Play. Open play for all ages, all skill levels. Every Monday. Drop in when you can. 5:30 pm to 9 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

"Can We Really Be at Home in the World? The Architecture and Life of Frank Lloyd Wright." This richly illustrated talk by New York City architects Dale Laurin and Anthony Romeo is free and open to the public. 7 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, July 14

Film Showing: Harry Potter Double Feature. Polish up on your history of magic before Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince is released. We're showing a double feature of the last two Harry Potter films - Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (PG-13, 150 minutes) starting at 3 pm and Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (PG-13, 138 minutes) starting at 6 pm Join us for trivia, snacks, and a raffle for tickets from the Lake Theater. Wear a Harry Potter themed costume for double raffle tickets towards the big prize! 3 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Wednesday, July 15

Blondell Crazy Film Series: Gold Diggers of 1933. Blondell and fellow unemployed actress friends seek financial backing for a new Broadway production in this musical featuring the elaborate choreography of Busby Berkeley. Gold Diggers of 1933, 1933, 96 minutes, directed by Mervyn LeRoy. Film historian Doug Deuchler will lead a discussion following the film. You are invited to bring a lunch; light refreshments will be provided. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library. 12:30 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Book Discussion: Summer by Edith Wharton. This story of a summer romance caused a sensation when it was published in 1917 for its frank depiction of love and sexual awakening. It remained one of Edith Wharton's favorite books and many critics consider it to be her best work. 1 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Maze Movie Matinee: The Prince and the Pauper. 2 pm Maze Branch.

Maze Kids Book Group: The Whipping Boy. Join the discussion of this book by Sid Fleischman. 4 pm to 5 pm Maze Branch.

Open Boardgame Play. Open Gaming with the Chicago Boardgames Meetup group. You bring it, we play it! Or just bring yourself, there will be quite a few games available. 6:30 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, July 16

Computer Class: Job Searching Online. Learn to use the Internet to find and apply for jobs. Learn to search job sites and sort and refine search results. Also learn formatting choices and tools for resumes. Prerequisite: valid email account. Sign up at the Third Floor Service Desk at the Main Library or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Oak Park Job Club. Professional Career Coaches Peggy Kraigie and April Kenfield will guide networking and provide tips to move your job search forward. Networking begins at 6 pm Presentation begins at 6:30 pm The Job Club will meet weekly through August. Call the Library at 708-452-3471 to register or request accommodation. 6 pm Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Author Susan Messer Unveils Novel Grand River and Joy. Oak Park author Susan Messer will review and read from her newly published novel, Grand River and Joy, named after a landmark intersection in Detroit. The reading is free and open to the public. Copies of the book, published by the University of Michigan Press, will be for sale at the program. 7 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Friday, July 17

Teen Coffeehouse/Open 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 pm to 9 pm Scoville Park, outside the Main Library.

Saturday, July 18

A Celebration: Motown at 50. Drummer and music historian Chris Edwards will serve as master of ceremonies for a weekend of films and discussions about the iconic and magical music that came out of Detroit in the sixties and early seventies. A book discussion of The Road through Motown by Ralph Terrana, as well as films starring Motown musicians and performances will be shown throughout the day. All celebration events are free and open to the public. 3 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Book Discussion: The Road through Motown. One of Motown's legendary staffers, Ralph Terrana, will lead a discussion of his book The Road through Motown. All celebration events are free and open to the public. 3 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Sunday, July 19

A Celebration: Motown at 50. Two of Motown's legendary staffers, Ralph and Russ Terrana, will be joined by Chris Edwards and Val Camaletti, owner of Val's Halla Records on Harrison Street in Oak Park, for a discussion of the Motown sound and its lasting impact on generations of Americans and music lovers around the world. The panel discussion will be will be followed by more Motown-themed movies. All celebration events are free and open to the public. 2 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Monday, July 20

Chess Open Play. Open play for all ages, all skill levels. Every Monday. Drop in when you can. 5:30 pm to 9 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, July 21

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. Sign up for this class in advance at the Third Floor Service Desk at the Main Library or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

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

Wednesday, July 22

Blondell Crazy Film Series: Footlight Parade. Blondell has the hots for her boss, James Cagney, only he just doesn't get it in this Busby Berkeley musical. Footlight Parade, 1933, 104 minutes, directed by Lloyd Bacon. Film historian Doug Deuchler will lead a discussion following the film. You are invited to bring a lunch; light refreshments will be provided. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library. 12:30 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Maze Movie Matinee: Inkheart. 2 pm Maze Branch.

Paperback Fanclub: Harmless by Dana Reinhardt. Love books and love to read? This is the book group for you. Each month we'll be offering a free paperback book (for you to keep) that we'll discuss at our next monthly meeting. Eligible for those entering grades 7 through 12. There are only 16 books available at the Main Library's Second Floor Service Desk for each meeting, so get one while supplies last. No registration is required. InHarmless, when Anna, Emma, and Mariah concoct a story about why they are late getting home one Friday night, their lie has unimaginable consequences for the girls, their families, and the community. 7 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Thursday, July 23

Computer Class: Introduction to the World Wide Web. Get a basic introduction to the World Wide Web and how it works, including some information on searching and getting an electronic mail account. First of two sessions. Second session meets July 30. Registration is required. Sign up at the Third Floor Service Desk at the Main Library or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Saturday, July 25

YA Cafe: Author James Kennedy and Brilliant Pebbles. Join the Oak Park Public Library and partner Magic Tree Bookstore in our launch of a new series of events matching a YA author with a rock band for an afternoon of performance and fun. We're honored and delighted to have The Order of the Odd Fish author, James Kennedy, and his band Brilliant Pebbles for this exciting debut. See you at the show! 2 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Sunday, July 26

Second Annual Chess Tournament. A 50-person chess tournament for K-12th age kids will be held with trophies for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd prize. Pre-registration begins July 13th and is required for this tournament. Call 708-452-3440 for more information. A side tournament will be held for parents, coaches, and adults with no registration required. 1 pm to 4 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Monday, July 27

Chess Open Play. Open play for all ages, all skill levels. Every Monday. Drop in when you can. 5:30 pm to 9 pm Book Discussion Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Tuesday, July 28

Computer Class: Computer Reports and More. Learn to access Consumer Reports, other consumer information, and newspaper articles using online tools available at the Library. Sign up at the Third Floor Service Desk at the Main Library or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Wednesday, July 29

Blondell Crazy Film Series: Bullets Or Ballots. Blondell runs a "numbers" racket in this gangster thriller featuring Edward G. Robinson as a crusading crime-buster who goes underground. Bullets Or Ballots, 1936, 82 minutes, directed by William Keighley. Film historian Doug Deuchler will lead a discussion following the film. You are invited to bring a lunch; light refreshments will be provided. This series is sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library. 12:30 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Maze Movie Matinee: Coraline. 2 pm Maze Branch.

Maze Kids Book Group: Masterpiece. Join the discussion of this book by Elise Broach. 4 pm to 5 pm Maze Branch.

Oak Park Viewers: Oscar's Overlooked Film Series: Wendy and Lucy. Oak Park Viewers presents a selection of films from 2008 that were not nominated for Academy Awards. In Wendy and Lucy, Wendy's life is derailed en route to a potentially lucrative summer job when her car breaks down, her dog is taken to the pound, and the thin fabric of her financial situation unravels. 6:30 pm Maze Branch.

Thursday, July 30

Computer Class: Introduction to the World Wide Web. Second of two sessions. First session meets July 23. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

Oak Park Job Club. Professional Career Coaches Peggy Kraigie and April Kenfield will guide networking and provide tips to move your job search forward. Networking begins at 6 pm Presentation begins at 6:30 pm The Job Club will meet weekly through August. Call the Library at 708-452-3471 to register or request accommodation. 6 pm Small Meeting Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Oak Park Readers. An ongoing book lovers' appreciation society. Join us for a Summer Party! Eat, drink, mingle. Share books you love. 7 pm Veterans Room, Second Floor, Main Library.

Friday, July 31

Computer Class: Beyond 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. Registration is required. Sign up at the Third Floor Service Desk at the Main Library or call 708-452-3480. 9:30 am to 11:30 am Computer Classroom, Third Floor, Main Library.

June 2009