When Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris was gearing up for Disability Pride Month celebrations at the library earlier this year, she kept thinking to herself: “I really want to go big. I want to go so big.” Harris spoke recently with WBEZ Chicago’s Reset about the library’s third year celebrating Disability Pride Month, which marks the … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian When using apps or programs you may come across an image, article, or link that you want to share with someone else. You could copy or download the media and paste it into or attach it to an email to send to the recipient. However, most apps actually have a … Read more
By Digital Learning Specialist Amelia You might be familiar with the keyboard shortcuts to copy, cut, and paste (and if you’re not, check step-by-step instructions on how to use these shortcuts in Microsoft Word and on your smartphone). But did you know that there are more keyboard shortcuts you can use to navigate your computer … Read more
Big news! At its June 20 regular meeting, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees approved a new resolution declaring the Village of Oak Park a Book Sanctuary Community. This local resolution follows a new state law that Gov. JB Pritzker signed in early June that is meant to discourage state libraries from removing … Read more
Each week through June, we’re celebrating a different local creator from the Oak Park Creates collection on our social media pages. We’re highlighting just some of the novelists, nonfiction authors, comics creators, and more right here in our community. We hope you find inspiration in their accomplishments, or simply find some new books to check … Read more
By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Sometimes kids and adults get nervous about visiting a new place for the first time. We get it! It can be useful to know what to expect before your first visit. With that in mind, we created a social narrative—available in multiple formats—about visiting the Children’s Services Area of the Main … Read more
All across the United States, there is an unprecedented campaign to censor books in school and public libraries. In March, the American Library Association (ALA) reported that 2022 saw the highest number of attempted book bans in 20 years, nearly double the number in 2021. “Overwhelmingly, we’re seeing these challenges come from organized censorship groups … Read more
By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian When using apps and programs it can sometimes be hard to figure out how to access the menu. It can seem like the icons you need to tap to open the menu are constantly changing, even between app updates! While apps are always updating, some basics will stay the same. … Read more
Oak Park receives 2023 Citation for Wellness in the Workplace Awarded annually by the American Library Association (ALA)’s Sustainability Round Table (SustainRT), this citation recognizes our library’s strategic commitment to “supporting all library staff to achieve happiness, well-being, and success.” From the SustainRT announcement: ‘Well-being activities and initiatives a priority’ “We are grateful to be … Read more
By Amelia, Digital Learning Specialist Have you ever wondered what the letters “URL” mean or seen the phrase “follow this link for more information”? Maybe you’ve seen a URL or a website link in advertisements or on event flyers, product information, or even the news. In this Tech Tip, we’ll cover what URLs are and … Read more
As school projects are assigned throughout the year, know that your library is here to help! In addition to books, your Oak Park library card gives you access to a number of subscription-based resources that you can use to help you with your research, such as African-American History. African-American History This comprehensive library research site covers … Read more
The library is partnering with the Oak Park Township to offer free personal hygiene supplies for youth at the library. Kids and their families can help themselves to soap, shampoo and conditioner, toothbrushes and toothpaste, floss, deodorant, lotion, and menstrual products. The supplies are located inside a small latched cabinet in the wheelchair-accessible bathroom in … Read more
Interested in a convenient way to read newspapers on your phone? With access to more than 7,000 publications from around the world in their original language and format, PressReader is a helpful tool. This post will cover some basics that will help you get started with PressReader. Here are five things to know: 1. You … Read more
Approved by the Board of Library Trustees on October 6, 2022 Whereas the Oak Park Public Library adheres to the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement; Whereas the Oak Park Public Library adheres to the American Library Association Freedom to View Statement; Whereas the Oak Park Public Library has Collection Strategy Statement that was … Read more
Whereas the Oak Park Public Library adheres to the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement; Whereas the Oak Park Public Library adheres to the American Library Association Freedom to View Statement; Whereas the Oak Park Public Library has Collection Strategy Statement that was developed by staff and approved by the Board of Trustees; Whereas … Read more
It’s so important to create strong passwords—and frequently update them—even though most websites have security measures in place to keep your personal information private. Let’s go over a few of the most basic—but most important—ways to keep your digital data safe, starting with how to: 7 steps to a strong password What is a strong … Read more
Your Oak Park Public Library card gives you access to thousands of digital newspapers and magazines. Different streaming apps like PressReader, Flipster, and Libby all provide access to digital newspapers and magazines. So what is the best way to start when you’re looking for your favorites? 1. Is it a magazine or a newspaper? 2. … Read more
By John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology You have likely used the copy and paste functions to move text on your computer, within a document or email, or from one application to another. (If you haven’t, check out these copy and paste shortcut instructions you can use on your computer.) But how do you complete … Read more
By Hal, Rainbow Services Librarian Pride is more than a month of rainbows and parades. Our celebration of Pride month comes from a history of protest for liberation for LGBTQ+ people. Learn about LGBTQ+ activists Explore the virtual tutorial: Trans Youth Town Hall The same fight for liberation continues today. Transgender and nonbinary youth are … Read more
By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Have you ever explored the little side yard of the Maze Branch Library (pictured above)? It’s not exactly quiet, because it’s right next to the expressway. But it can still be a cozy place to curl up with a book, do some yoga on the grass, watch for butterflies in the … Read more
