Have you ever seen origami art at the Main Library Children’s Services desk? Miss Margaret has made and displayed so many over the years: Carmen Sprung’s Carambola Flower, an Omega Star, a Traditional Star Box, and various Tomoko Fuse Modular boxes. Origami helps kids practice visual and spatial skills, concentration, and math, and is a great fidget activity for … Read more
Your public library is here to connect us through books, resources, and experiences that celebrate women’s history. Titles we suggest More to explore Upcoming events Latine Author Book Cafe: Daughters of Latin AmericaTuesday, March 10, 6 pm, Main Library Join us on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss works written by Latine … Read more
Libraries are full of surprises! Discover the new additions to the Library of Things collection, which features a variety of physical objects available for checkout with your Oak Park library card. Explore items in four categories Do It Yourself (DIY) For creating, crafting, and home improvement. Includes a wall stud finder, laser level, electric drill, sewing machine, … Read more
Where can people of diverse backgrounds come together to be engaged in the future of their communities? Libraries! Because libraries are critical to a functioning democracy, in late 2025 we hired a Civic Literacy Librarian to deepen our commitment to this aspect of our mission. Civic Literacy Librarian Simon Czerwinskyj (pictured above) develops programming around … Read more
Your public library is here with books, resources, and experiences that can help us connect and celebrate Black history and culture. Titles we suggest More to explore Exhibits Art Exhibit: Dreamscapes by Amani BorahThrough February 28, Main Library Gallery The collected works exhibited in Dreamscapes invite each individual to participate in the colors and activities on the island of … Read more
The countdown to the big night has begun! The 98th Academy Awards airs on Sunday, March 15, and your library has a few ways to watch some of the year’s most talked-about films. Join us: Register for our 16th Annual Oscarthon No need to wait on the red carpet—come to our 16th Annual Oscarthon movie … Read more
In today’s media landscape, it can be challenging to sort through the constant flow of information and evaluate the accuracy of news articles and social media posts. The fast pace, sensational headlines, and frequent layout changes of social media can make it challenging to assess what you are reading. As we enter another election cycle, … Read more
834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 | Second Floor Scoville RoomTuesday, January 27, 2026 – 6:30 pmMeeting to be held in person and via Zoom Agenda 1. Call to Order and Roll Call (6:30 pm) 2. Approval of Minutes (Action) 3. Public Comments Please read the Public Comment at Board Meetings Policy. Public comments … Read more
Call to Order and Roll Call President Bloom called the meeting to order at 6:34 pm. Secretary Yamamoto took roll. Present: Colin Bird-Martinez, Megan Butman, Susanne Fairfax, Kristina Rogers, Annie Wilkinson, Mika Yamamoto, Virginia Bloom Also attending: Elsworth Carman (Executive Director), Suzy Antell (Deputy Director), Billy Treece (Director of Finance & Human Resources), Leigh Tarullo … Read more
834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 | Second Floor Scoville RoomWednesday, January 21, 2026 – 7 am Meeting to be held in person and via Zoom 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Public Comments Please read the Public Comment at Board Meetings Policy. Public comments may be provided in one of the … Read more
Call to Order and Roll Call President Bloom called the meeting to order at 6:58 am. Secretary Yamamoto took roll. Present: Megan Butman, Kristina Rogers, Mika Yamamoto, Virginia Bloom Absent: Susanne Fairfax, Colin Bird-Martinez, Annie Wilkinson Also attending: Elsworth Carman (Executive Director), Billy Treece (Director of Finance & Human Resources) Public Commentators: none A quorum … Read more
Federal & state tax returns are due April 15 Download tax forms Find links for federal and Illinois tax forms below: Print tax forms At the library, you can use a public computer to print popular state and federal tax forms at no charge. Or print remotely and pick up the same day at any … Read more
With hoopla‘s BingePass and your Oak Park library card, you can get unlimited streaming for seven days with a single borrow! Let’s get started… How do I use hoopla’s BingePass? Watch the video below for an overview. For more detailed instructions, see How do I borrow a BingePass. What can I borrow with unlimited access? … Read more
On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19), all library buildings will be closed. We’ve gathered together title suggestions, online resources, and more to help you celebrate the life and legacy of one of the best-known leaders of the civil rights movement. Check out these titles Contribute to a community ‘Dream Hands’ display As … Read more
834 Lake St., Oak Park, IL 60301 | Second Floor Scoville RoomMonday, January 12, 2026 – 6 pmMeeting to be held in person Agenda 1. Call to Order and Roll Call 2. Public Comments Please read the “Public Comment at Board Meetings Policy.” Public comments may be provided in one of the following ways: 3. … Read more
Call to Order and Roll Call The Finance Committee called the meeting to order at 6:05 pm. Present: Colin Bird-Martinez (Board Trustee Finance Chair), Megan Butman (Board Trustee, Finance Committee), Susanne Fairfax (Board Trustee), Virginia Bloom (Board Trustee), Mika Yamamoto (Board Trustee, Governance Chair), Billy Treece (Director of Finance & Human Resources) Public Commentators: none … Read more
If everything just feels a bit more stressful these days (we certainly think so), why not try a little therapy? Art, music, nature, socialization, and actual therapy are all proven ways to help reduce stress and anxiety. Try these titles to help you start your 2026 journey to wonder, delight, and, hopefully, calm. Titles for … Read more
Winter is here, and as the days grow cozier, your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood have put together a bunch of fun ways for families and kids to learn, play, and stay connected. So take a peek at what’s ahead this season, and we’ll see you out and about! Activities Storytimes Places … Read more
From Diwali, Christmas, and Hanukkah celebrations to the observance of the winter solstice, Oak Park library staff love sharing their own winter holiday traditions with you in our annual Holidays Around the World! In addition to stories, videos, and photos, you’ll find related music, games, stories, and recipes for families to explore. Click the play … Read more
Finding the right book or information for people is what librarians do. So when Jane wrote to us in September with a mysterious book-finding query, multiple librarians across departments jumped right in to try to solve it. “I have a detective challenge for you!” Jane wrote. “I would like help finding a small book from … Read more
