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
Have curious kids in grades K-5 who want to explore the world? Log in to Pebble Go and Pebble Go Next with your Oak Park library card and find answers to questions like “What do axolotls eat for breakfast?” and “How do I stand up for a friend?” PebbleGo and PebbleGo Next are content hubs … Read more
In honor of Black History Month, let’s learn more about Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Puerto Rican historian, writer, curator, and activist! Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico in 1874, Schomburg was the son of a Puerto Rican merchant of German descent and an Afro-Caribbean woman from the Danish West Indies. He spent the majority of his … Read more
Our understanding of gender and the language we use to describe it is constantly evolving. Often, we learn a limiting definition of gender that tries to put everyone into just two categories—boy or girl. Those categories come with many unfair expectations about the activities and interests we’re allowed to enjoy, how we’re supposed to dress … 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 library public computer to print popular state and federal tax forms at no charge. Or print remotely and pick up the same day at … Read more
Happy January 2026! As the new year begins and the weather stays cold, the library offers plenty to keep you engaged. Whether or not you make resolutions, the new year is a perfect time to reset and explore new ways to connect, and your library is here for you! Six in 2026! Books to destress … 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
Since Oprah’s first book club pick in 1996, we have been reading as the celebrities do, falling in love with, or hating, characters with our fellow book club readers. Book clubs offer an opportunity to be in community with others, even if we’re not together in person. Other celebrities who love to read have started … Read more
Experts at the Educational Development Center say that digital media can help young children make sense of their world, especially when screen time is facilitated and guided by parents or caregivers. Below, you will find screen time guidelines for parents and caregivers of children aged 2-6, as well as findings and recommendations for digital content … 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
Traducir al español | Przetłumacz na polskiBy John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology (translated by Oak Park Public Library staff) Have you ever tried to translate a webpage from one language to another? While some webpages provide a button to switch between certain languages, this is not always the case. Fortunately, most web browsers include translation functions … Read more
Did you know that children’s staff have created more than 400 early learning videos since March 2020?! You can watch them all in a YouTube playlist and find them organized into 16 different categories on the Early Learning page—including art, en español, life skills, and supported. To make it even easier to find what you … Read more
Our annual librarian-curated roundup of books, TV shows, movies, and music is here! Explore staff favorites across every age and interest. Discover our staff’s favorite adult fiction and nonfiction titles on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | … Read more
Our annual librarian-curated roundup of books, TV shows, movies, and music is here! Explore staff favorites across every age and interest. Discover our staff’s favorite teen fiction and nonfiction titles on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | … Read more
Our annual librarian-curated roundup of books, TV shows, movies, and music is here! Explore staff favorites across every age and interest. Discover our staff’s favorite kids and picture books on this page, or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | Kids … Read more
