Earth Day is April 22, and this year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet. The library offers events, information, and resources focused on sustainability and environmental issues all year. In April, we continue to learn, take action, and collaborate on special events. Below, find events for all ages and staff-curated collections of books exploring life … Read more
Signs of spring are here and your public library, in partnership with the Collaboration for Early Childhood, has put together a collection of activities, events, and resources for you and your little ones. Here’s to exploring, learning, and playing in these longer, warmer days! Activities Storytimes Events
So you, your child, or your student has been diagnosed with autism? Congratulations! As overwhelming as it can be to hear a diagnosis, you are now ready to find and receive the supports you need to live the life you want for yourself. There has been an increasing amount of misinformation about autism in the … Read more
Our brain is a muscle. How do we exercise it, keep it healthy, and nurture it? In honor of Brain Awareness Week (March 16-22), explore books, articles, and resources available with your Oak Park library card to boost your brain health. Boost your brain health Ready to jump-start your brain health journey? Use your Oak … 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
Held each year on March 31, Transgender Day of Visibility (TDoV) celebrates the lives and accomplishments of transgender and nonbinary people. Trans advocate Rachel Crandall founded TDoV in 2010 because stories in the media about transgender and nonbinary people so often focus only on violence. As legislation across the country continues to target and discriminate … Read more
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
Are you looking for a great resource for kids to do research online? Did you know that World Book is accessible with your library card? World Book offers a comprehensive suite of engaging content for learners of all ages, all in one place. This site, along with all of our subscription-based resources, can be accessed … 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
I love how much our community uses the library. Sometimes that means waiting for the hottest titles. Don’t fret! I can help you find a similar reading experience to THAT book you are waiting for or that you finally read and loved. The Frozen River readalikes Broken Fields by Marcie Rendon Why you should try … 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
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 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
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
