Pop-up library now at Styles 4 Kidz

Person next to small bookshelf with kids books, and bookshelf in hair salon

Announcing our newest pop-up library location: Styles 4 Kidz, 235 Harrison St., Oak Park, IL 60304. Pop-up libraries allow community members to use the library when they’re out and about, no library card or checkouts needed. Styles 4 Kidz is our third pop-up library location, adding to ones installed earlier this year at the Community … Read more

Pop-up library now at Wonder Works

Children read and play around a bookshelf

Pop-up libraries are collections you can access outside library buildings, in spaces where people already congregate. Our first one was installed this spring at the Park District of Oak Park’s Community Recreation Center, and we’re thrilled to add a second location! Kids and families can find it at Wonder Works Children’s Museum, 6445 West North … Read more

Community Sensory Garden

Miss Eileen planting in the Accessible Community Garden

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Did you know that 70% of disabled adults do not engage in community activities? The first time I heard this statistic it gave me pause. I see it with my disabled brother and his friends, but it’s hard to see it widely confirmed. It’s what inspired me to develop a … Read more

The Storyline returns: Summer issue now out

Cover of the summer Storyline magazine

This latest issue of the library’s magazine (pdf) highlights summer reading programs for kids, teens, and adults, plus: We love to see how you use your public library If you have an idea or story to share with us for a future issue, please contact us at communications@oppl.org. You can also share stories, photos, and more through … Read more

Pop-up library launches at CRC

Librarian stands next to bookshelf in a lobby

In our continued quest to be a library for everyone, we strive to offer the widest possible access with the fewest barriers as possible. So we’re thrilled to offer a new way for community members to use the library and read library books when they’re out and about in the community: pop-up libraries!  Pop-up libraries … Read more

Let’s celebrate National Library Week 2024

Ready Set Library

During April’s National Library Week, let’s make a special effort to thank and celebrate all of our amazing Oak Park library staff members! And, be sure to check out what’s available via our new online library store! From Monday, April 8, through Friday, April 12, when you stop by any library location, you can write … Read more

2023: A year in review

Cover images of 2023 impact reports

Our library strives to be a library for everyone, one that prioritizes: Evaluating our impact To report on the impact of work in these areas, the library shares monthly public updates at its Board of Library Trustees meetings, and creates annual, year-in-review impact reports. These reports showcase library work that shared the information, services, and … Read more

Library swag now on sale through January

Proceeds will support future innovations & initiatives Share and wear Oak Park library pride with your purchase of any limited-edition items—mugs, hats, scarves, T-shirts, hoodies (zippered and pullover), zippered totes, and even onesies for the 24-month and under crowd. Items are available for purchase at the Main Library now through January 31, or while supplies … Read more

Partnership for teen mental health wins award

Group photo with Marché Pernell, Stephen Jackson, Dominique Hickman, Robert Simmons, Vann Harris, Ashley Knapp, Latonia Jackson, Synovia Knox, and Alexander Gutierrez in front of a wall mural

Since 2019, the library has been partnering with researchers from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine to develop a digital tool to help teens with anxiety. Now in the fourth year of a five-year grant, the research partnership has won an award for its strong collaborative research principles and work to impact health and equity … Read more

Welcome to your library, new cardholders!

A collage of new library cardholders from 2023

September is #LibraryCardSignUpMonth. Let’s give a warm Oak Park welcome to our new library cardholders (pictured below)! Every Oak Park resident, student, teacher, daycare provider, and business owner can get a card for complete access to public library services and resources. Let’s get started »

We hear you: Listening session feedback

Child and adult at the library's A Day In Our Village booth

Thank you to everyone who shared their thoughts and ideas at our listening sessions! More than 250 individuals participated, with in-person conversations and feedback forms completed in April, May, and June. Here’s more about the nine public listening sessions hosted by Executive Director Joslyn Bowling Dixon and additional library staff: What you told us about … Read more

The Work continues

A glass wall with the words "A library for everyone" in frosted letters

By Joslyn Bowling Dixon, Executive Director More than halfway through my first year as Oak Park Public Library’s executive director, I’m pleased to report back on what we’ve accomplished so far. As I said I would do in my initial job interview, I took ample time and great care to watch, review, observe, and listen … Read more

Oak Park supports democracy and the freedom to read as a Book Sanctuary Community

Village hall board meeting room presentation

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

Meet your T-shirt design winners!

Six finalists designs

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

A ‘Wellness in the Workplace’ Win

Library staff member receiving an award on Staff Day 2022

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

Engaging & hands-on tech learning is here

Two middle schoolers disassembling a computer

By Eileen Saam, Children’s Services Librarian Thanks to grant funding from TechGirlz—a nonprofit program of Creating IT Futures that provides free, fun, interactive workshops—the library now offers new ways to support engaging, hands-on learning for middle school girls. Recent additions in the library’s new Creative Studio include 3D printers, toolkits to dismantle and assemble computers, … Read more

Scoville Park’s Holiday Light Show to affect library garage access on Saturday, Dec. 3

Santa lights, street closure map

Weather permitting, the Village of Oak Park’s professional, holiday-themed drone art show this Saturday will feature unmanned aerial vehicles flying in a coordinated fashion with light fixtures attached. Learn more about the light show » As a result of an anticipated increased in vehicle traffic and planned street closures near the library, the Main Library … Read more

Librarian Shelley Harris recognized for dedication to young people

Shelley Harris holds an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) board in the Maze Branch Community Sensory Garden

The Illinois Library Association (ILA) Youth Services Forum has awarded Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris with the 2021 Golden Ticket Award for her “outstanding local contribution” to young people through programs that “promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries.” Shelley’s “creativity, incredible work ethic, and commitment to serving young patrons and their … Read more