Helping kids tackle school projects: National Geographic Kids

Two grade school students using a laptop to study outside

If you have a school project and need to find a variety of sources for your research, your library is here to the rescue! On the Homework Help for Kids page, you can access many subscription-based resources with your Oak Park library card and PIN. National Geographic Kids One valuable resource available to cardholders is … Read more

Library of Things turns 1

Pegboard wall with hanging tags and text that says "Library of Things"

When our Library of Things collection made its debut last September, Nicole Brown and her family were ready for it. On previous visits to the Main Library, they’d seen staff assembling the wall in the lobby (pictured above) that showcases items in the collection. Things like an electric drill, a pair of tennis rackets, a … Read more

Sharing scary & not-so-scary stories: Videos & books for early learners

Two cartoon ghosts surrounded by a colorful Halloween candy

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris The sun is setting earlier, and nights are lasting longer. This is the time of year when our “Chills and Thrills” bin of picture books gets checked out the most, teachers take out stacks of Halloween books, and kids ask for mysteries and scary stories. Even I love to be … Read more

Preserving culture in the Creative Studio

Person holds a VHS tape at a computer station with the words "Creative Studio" on the wall

Nothing lasts forever, and that includes your old VHS tapes. Even if you still have a VCR to play them, the tape quality can degrade as the years go by. The solution? Digitize those tapes. And you can do it for free in the Main Library Creative Studio! That’s why library patron Alex Yu has … Read more

Identity & coming out: Books & an on-demand virtual book club for grade schoolers

Tegan and Sara Junior High Book cover with a rainbow-colored overlay

Sharing your identity with friends, family, and community should be empowering and affirming, but for LGBTQIA+ young people, coming out is often scary rather than a moment of celebration. According to the 2023 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, fewer than 40% of LGBTQ young people found their home to be … Read more

Pop-up library now at Wonder Works

Children read and play around a bookshelf

Pop-up libraries are collections you can access outside library buildings, in spaces where people already congregate. Our first one was installed this spring at the Park District of Oak Park’s Community Recreation Center, and we’re thrilled to add a second location! Kids and families can find it at Wonder Works Children’s Museum, 6445 West North … Read more

Tech Tips Smartphone 101: How to use & organize your smartphone home screen

Person holding iPhone

By Creative Technology Librarian Amy Hofmockel Getting to know your phone’s home screen can help you find the apps and tools you need to get your tasks done—whether that’s making a phone call, checking email, or using a favorite app. You can even organize your home screen so only your most used apps show there. Let’s … Read more

Fun & educational websites for kids (librarian approved!)

Kid using tablet with two adults in the background

By Eileen Saam, Children’s Librarian Looking for fun and educational websites for kids without advertisements? You’ve come to the right place! From math games, puzzles, and science videos to language learning activities, art exploration, and narrated stories, the list of free websites below offers a variety of engaging online experiences for kids of all ages. … Read more

Improving our service to Spanish-speaking patrons

Group of library staff pose together against an artwork backdrop

To meet our community’s growing needs, we partnered with Triton College this spring to offer an eight-week conversational Spanish course for 12 library staff members at the Main Library. The course was designed to help staff provide more responsive customer service and build relationships with Spanish-speaking community members who frequent the library. Rashmi Swain, Adult … Read more

Disability Pride: Activities for early learners & info for caregivers

Miss Shelley, a brown-haired librarian, holding the What Happened to You book

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Every July, we come together to celebrate Disability Pride as a community! As a disabled librarian (neurodivergent and chronically ill), I love creating programs not only for disabled kids but celebrating us as well. When Miss Genevieve and I lead our Disability Understanding and Advocacy field trips for elementary kids, … Read more

June 27, 2024: Board of Library Trustees engage Koya Partners for executive director search

At the June 25 regular meeting, the Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees voted to engage the professional search firm of Koya Partners to conduct a national search for the Library’s next executive director. It is expected that the Board and Koya will schedule an initial kick-off meeting within the next two to four weeks. A … Read more

Partnering for teen mental health

Three people pose in front of a backdrop reading Northwestern Medicine Feinberg School of Medicine. Two hold framed certificates.

American teens are in a mental health crisis, according to the Office of the Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—and it began even before the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why, since 2019, assistant professor and researcher Ashley Knapp (pictured above, left), who studies teens, technology, and mental health at Northwestern University’s Feinberg … Read more

Community Sensory Garden

Miss Eileen planting in the Accessible Community Garden

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Did you know that 70% of disabled adults do not engage in community activities? The first time I heard this statistic it gave me pause. I see it with my disabled brother and his friends, but it’s hard to see it widely confirmed. It’s what inspired me to develop a … Read more

Adventure begins at your library: Digital audiobooks & adult summer reading

Graphics of a movie projector, book, conversation bubbles, and headphones and a beachy background

June is Audiobook Appreciation Month It seems like we have a month and/or week to celebrate just about everything these days. This month is Audiobook Appreciation Month, which covers one of my favorite pastimes. I listen to audiobooks constantly—when I’m doing dishes, walking the dog, or drifting off to sleep (after setting a sleep timer on … Read more

The Storyline returns: Summer issue now out

Cover of the summer Storyline magazine

This latest issue of the library’s magazine (PDF) highlights summer reading programs for kids, teens, and adults, plus: We love to see how you use your public library If you have an idea or story to share with us for a future issue, please contact us at communications@oppl.org. You can also share stories, photos, and more through … Read more

Kids summer reading: Kids as young as 2 can join the fun!

Kids and pets reading under a blanket

By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Most people look at summer as a time to relax and have fun. For Children’s Services Librarians, it’s our busy season! We’ve spent the past few months preparing the summer reading program, and now it’s here! This summer, our theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Once again we are using … Read more

Meet author, artist & ‘library guy’ Jacob Grant

Jacob Grant with covers of three books, Bear's Scare, No Pants! and Umami, and an acorn character reading a book on a cushion of leaves

Jacob Grant is an award-winning Oak Park author, illustrator, and dad who makes picture books, including Umami, No Pants!, and Bear’s Scare. He won the prestigious Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustration Exhibition earlier this year. And he designed our new acorn character mascot for the Pop-Up Library initiative, which debuted in April! Below, Jacob shares … Read more

New ceramics display at Dole Branch

Glazed ceramic art figures of three people, a dog, and a cat, and a platter

The next time you’re at Dole Branch Library, come see a wonderful collection of ceramic pieces adorning the library shelves and walls. These pieces were created by participants in the Park District of Oak Park’s Active Adults ceramics class. We’ve included some photos here, but they’re really more impressive up close and in person! The … Read more