It’s that time again. Love them or hate them, the holidays are back. This year, let your public library help you take the guesswork out of gift-giving, decide what to bring to that holiday party, and—most importantly—give yourself some much-needed downtime. 1. Make handmade gifts & party favors Your Oak Park library card gives you … Read more
Looking for gift ideas for this holiday season? Might we suggest a great book? Our collection management librarians have curated a range of excellent gift ideas for the book, movie, TV, or music lover in your life. Adults | Teens & kids Adults: for the… Teens & kids: for the…
This November 13-19, we celebrate Transgender Awareness Week, an annual event dedicated to educating our communities about the lives of transgender people. Transgender Awareness Week takes place in the week leading up to Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20)—a day set aside to recognize each life lost during the year to transphobic violence around the … Read more
Every year on November 11, we honor America’s military veterans for their service. Below are some recent, thoughtful reads to help you observe. Honoring veterans The Houdini Club: The Epic Journey and Daring Escapes of the First Army Rangers of WWII by Mir Bahmanyar Why you should try it: For a unique and enthralling look … Read more
One evening when Danielle Désiré was small, about 3 or 4 years old, she was running around in the backyard. It was time to settle down for the night and get ready for bed, but Danielle was too busy watching birds flying in the sky. Why, she asked her grandpa, were there birds flying at … Read more
Oak Park Public Library acknowledges that Oak Park is situated on the ancestral land of the Bodewamiadkiwen (Potawatomi), Myaamia (Miami), Oceti Sakowin, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), and Peoria. We honor them and thank them for their stewardship of this land. Source: native-land.ca Your public library is here to connect you with books, learning experiences, and online resources that celebrate … Read more
Did you know? Illinois is one of only eight states with an inclusive curriculum bill that ensures students in public schools learn about LGBTQ+ and their contributions as part of their history curriculum. In their published survey results from 2021 (pdf), GLSEN found that inclusive curricula have a positive impact on the safety and mental … Read more
Need a tutor to help reinforce concepts learned in class or prepare for a test? Are you a parent looking for academic support for your child? Or are you a teacher seeking supplementary resources to assist your students? Your library is here to the rescue with Brainfuse HelpNow. Find this resource on the Homework Help … Read more
Announcing our newest pop-up library location: Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St., Oak Park. Pop-up libraries allow community members to use the library when they’re out and about, no library card or checkouts needed. The new collection is in the second-floor children’s section at the historical museum. Curated for kids and families, it includes board … Read more
Need a good book? Middle School Librarian Fiona Dolce (aka Ms. D) and Middle and High School Services Supervising Librarian Alexander Gutierrez (aka Mr. G) are here with lots of great fiction and graphic novels for students in grades 6–12. Below, see what the librarians have to say about each book. Then, click on each … Read more
The Oak Park Public Library has partnered with researchers at Northwestern University to co-develop a mental health program for high school students. The program is now looking for high school students in grades 9-12 to help test out the program at the library. Students can earn up to $115 in gift cards for participating. Eligible … 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 American Indian History. American Indian History This library research site … Read more
Feel that chill in the air? Halloween season is here! Your Oak Park librarians are back with spine-tingling reads, creepy tales, and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Browse: Spine-chilling tales & scary stories More to explore HORROR FOR ADULTS HORROR FOR TEENS HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS Attend: Upcoming events ADULTS Wednesday Movie Matinee: Practical … Read more
October is Health Literacy Month, a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the healthcare system more accessible to navigate. Did you know that our library offers a range of resources and programs focused on health and wellness? Explore our collection of resources and find support for your health and … Read more
Every year during Banned Books Week (October 5-11 this year), the American Library Association (ALA) celebrates the freedom to read by recognizing books that have been challenged, censored, and banned in libraries and schools. Check out some of the most challenged books below—and why they were challenged—from the last year (compiled from data from the ALA’s Office … 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. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping readalikes The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst … Read more
After school, we know kids want to relax, be with their friends, do homework, have fun, and be creative. Here are seven reasons why middle and high school students are spending time at the library after the bell rings. 1. Friends! At the library, we’re about building connections, creating experiences, and giving every kid a … Read more
It’s a beautiful season! From playful family adventures to creative fun, fall is for connection and new ways to learn and grow. Take a peek at all the exciting happenings for families—curated by your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood—and we’ll see you around the neighborhood! Activities Storytimes Places Events
As mentioned in my first post in this series, Google is a great resource of information and can be a useful first source when researching for school projects. But did you know that there are many subscription-based library resources that can be accessed online with your Oak Park library card? Not only that, but you … Read more
Welcome to the -ber months: September, October, November, and December! Most people celebrate the start of a new year in January. Not me. I graduated from library school more than 15 years ago, but the start of the school year is still the start of my personal new year. For a lot of young kids, … Read more
