From Diwali, Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanzaa 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 … Read more
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) is typically celebrated on November 1 and 2. The celebration, which originated in Mexico, is rooted in indigenous practices that existed long before Spanish settlers arrived. Together with community members, our Latine Language & Culture Librarian Nora Sanchez has been working to bring the celebration to the library … Read more
Your public library is here to connect you with books, events, learning experiences, and online resources that celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can: This commemorative month (held September 15-October 15) was officially designated as Hispanic Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress in 1968. Learn more at … Read more
Oak Park Public Library is thrilled to be one of more than 30 organizations around the country partnering for Collections of Culture: 50 Years of Hip Hop Inside Libraries, Museums, and Archives. And as part of our Oak Park celebration, we hosted a T-shirt design contest. With six finalists (pictured above) to choose from, we received … Read more
Your public library is here to connect you with books, online resources, and learning experiences that honor Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander history and culture all year long. On this page, you can: The month of May is officially proclaimed as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month by the White House but … Read more
After a pandemic hiatus, the Oak Park Community Kwanzaa Celebration was back in person at the Main Library in December, with a full house. “This year’s Kwanzaa celebration was the best one yet!” said Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin. Griffin organizes the annual intergenerational event, last held in person at the library in 2019. Among … Read more
Ramadan Mubarak! Throughout the month of Ramadan, view a beautiful collection of what brings together Muslims from different parts of the world, presented to you in collaboration with Dima Ali, community member and founder of Being Different. Every year, Muslims around the world celebrate Ramadan. Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar and the holy month … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, and this week we are celebrating by sharing stories written by East Asian authors. East Asian creators & stories Second Sister by Ho-Kei Chan Why you should try it: A smart and twisty suspense novel that also shines a light on the shadowy … Read more
Like so much else these days, our monthly library groups for writers, performers, language learners, and more are now meeting virtually. While all in-person programs are canceled through August, these online programs are drawing new participants as well as regulars. For example, Oak Parkers who joined the virtual French Conversation Hour in April met new … Read more
Replica Benin bronzes are on display on the Main Library’s third floor. As part of the library’s Multicultural Collection, these replicas can spark important conversations about pre-colonial African culture and the repatriation of cultural heritage artifacts. The original Benin bronzes, from the Kingdom of Benin in what is now southern Nigeria, are at the heart … Read more
