As a public library in a Book Sanctuary Community, our mission is to share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations. Our vision is to empower every voice in our community.
Strategic priorities: What our library prioritizes
- Equity & anti-racism and values of accessibility, empowerment, courage, impact-oriented work, innovation, representation, and social justice
- Engagement and values of diversity, equity, inclusion, civic responsibility, collaboration, compassion, gathering, and participation
- Learning and values of access, education, knowledge, intellectual freedom, literacy, opportunity, and privacy
- Stewardship and values of accountability, preservation, sustainability, and transparency
Logic model: A snapshot of strategic thinking
The library’s logic model (PDF) provides a snapshot of strategic thinking and planning around key elements.
Our work
What we invest
- Community members, stakeholders, and partners
- Diverse and well-trained staff (full-time and part-time), volunteers, and interns
- Board of Trustees
- Local government
- Funding (tax dollars, grants, donations)
- Well-maintained buildings, furniture, and equipment
- IT infrastructure
- Physical collections (books, DVDs, CDs, magazines, etc.)
- Digital collections and online resources (ebooks, audiobooks, streaming music/movies, databases, etc.)
What we do
| Service area | Activities |
|---|---|
| Public Services & Programs | Circulation (patron accounts, materials checkouts, check-ins, holds); Home Delivery; reference and information; readers advisory; tutorials and Learning Labs; space reservations; public technology and Creative Studio access; in-person and virtual educational and entertainment programming for children, teens, and adults; community outreach; Book Bike visits; Pop-Up Libraries |
| Collections | Selection, acquisition, and cataloging of digital and physical materials, including Library of Things; collections maintenance (processing, shelving, auditing, weeding); interlibrary loan; Special Collections and local history research |
| Technology | Acquisition, maintenance, and repair of public technology (computers, printers, copiers, Creative Studio equipment, etc.); maintenance of public internet/WiFi; cybersecurity efforts and education |
| Facilities | Facilities management (tracking and execution of capital projects, maintenance activities, safety systems compliance); building and equipment repairs; Master Facilities Plan; green initiatives |
| Social Services & Public Safety | Community partnership development; patron need assessment and resource referral; incident reporting and management; building safety; emergency and public health preparedness |
| Anti-Racism & Equity | Equity audits of policies, plans, and procedures; staff trainings and learning events; staff affinity groups and intersectional gatherings; community partnership development; conference attendance; community programming |
| Communications & Development | Promotion and storytelling; print materials (newsletters, The Storyline, brochures, flyers, bookmarks, calendars); digital communications (website and newsfeed, cardholder email campaigns, social media); digital advertising; monitoring external media coverage and third-party site reviews; data collection and monitoring (patron surveys, new cardholder retention, market penetration); grantseeking |
| Finance & HR | Compensation and benefits administration; hiring and onboarding; performance development; learning and talent development; workplace well-being; budget preparation, management, and reporting |
Our impact
A commitment to equity and anti-racism informs all of our work.
| Priorities | Objectives | See our priorities in practice in these stories |
|---|---|---|
| Engagement | We create opportunities for connection and community participation. We deliver inclusive, compassionate, and high-quality customer service. | Civic literacy & engagement at your library 7 reasons teens visit the library after school Contribute to a community art exhibit |
| Learning | We encourage exploration of new ideas through diverse collections, programs, and other resources. We support community members and staff in developing the knowledge and skills to reach their goals. | ‘I have a detective challenge for you!’: The problem-solving power of librarians STEAM Discovery Kits: At-home learning & exploration for grade schoolers Discover a hidden gem: Special Collections at the Main Library |
| Stewardship | We provide broad, effective, and equitable access to resources. We care for community resources, library assets, and library staff responsibly, ethically, and sustainably. | Have fun & save money with a library card New pop-up library at Oak Park Township Library of Things turns 1 |
| Anti-Racism & Equity | We develop and implement library policies and practices that promote equitable outcomes and experiences for staff and the public. We support our diverse community through responsive and intentional resource sharing, communication, and relationship building. | Celebrating Disability Pride for young learners & caregivers Improving our service to Spanish-speaking patrons Partnering for teen mental health |