After her father passed away, artist Marea Cordero began learning more about his life growing up in the Philippines. And as she reconnected with the Filipino side of her family, she also began exploring the concept of ancestors more generally across cultures. “Being a first-generation Filipino American descended from an immigrant father and American mother, … 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
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
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
Last year, artist Antonia Ruppert traveled to Alabama to visit family. Before she returned to Chicago, her cousin gave her some family memorabilia to take home, including a photograph of her grandfather, Prince James. Ruppert had never met her grandfather, but she had heard stories of how he overcame injustice during the Jim Crow era, … Read more
Whether you are new to crafting or a seasoned master crafter, there is something for everyone on Creativebug. An inspirational resource for DIY, crafters, and makers, Creativebug features more than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists. You can take a class on art, sewing, food techniques, knitting … Read more
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
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Celebrate your public library by trying a service you haven’t used before. Unlock the full potential of your library card While our library continues to provide traditional services such as lending books and movies, providing computers and printing services, and answering general reference questions, we are also very proud of all of … Read more
Develop a new skill, dive deep into a hobby you love, or expand your knowledge on a topic you’ve always wanted to explore with these books our librarians love. Check out the curated titles below, plus more to explore in your digital library and upcoming events where you can expand your knowledge, make, and create. … Read more
All tickets for 2025 concerts have been claimed. Thank you, Oak Park! Ravinia Festival’s Words & Music Program provides patrons of Chicago-area libraries complimentary lawn passes to attend concerts featuring the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and other classical artists every season. This summer season, 12 concerts are featured. More information on each concert and venue details … Read more
Drag is an art and a performance. In As You Like It, Shakespeare wrote “All the world’s a stage, / And the men and women merely players.” Drag performers throughout history have taken this line to heart, including in Shakespeare’s own time. (Did you know that all the female parts were played by men back then? … Read more
Summer has arrived, and it’s time to get out and see what our beautiful state has to offer. Your Oak Park library card provides instant access to discounted admission and other deals through Museum Adventure Pass and Explore More Illinois. Each program offers different attractions and offers that you can learn more about below! Museum … Read more
Collection Management Librarians Andrea, Dontaná, Jenna, and Kathy Jump into summer with these new books, movies, and TV shows—for all ages—that we think will be hot, hot, hot all summer. And don’t forget to register and track your reading for summer reading. Adult fiction | Adult nonfiction | Teens | Kids | Movies & TV … Read more
By Collection Management Librarians Dontaná & Andrea Poetry is good for our brains. Studies show that reading poems activates our brain’s cognitive functions differently than when we read novels and other nonfiction. Poetry helps us recognize rhymes and rhythms, and expands our “capacity to understand complex, multiple meanings.” This National Poetry Month, we’ve paired poetry collections … Read more
Encoded Memories is an art exhibit coming to the Main Library Gallery in May. Revolving around themes of time, place, and memory, it will feature images showing Oak Park past and present, including historical scenes from the library’s Special Collections. But there’s a twist! The work that will be on display in the second-floor gallery isn’t … Read more
Oak Park’s Kwanzaa celebration drew almost 200 people to the Main Library on Monday, December 30, and was a resounding success. With music, dance, crafts, artwork, food, and ceremony, the Black American harvest celebration “truly captured the spirit of community and cultural richness that Kwanzaa represents,” said Manager of Community Engagement Chibuike Enyia. Seven principles … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná People contain multitudes. We have multiple interests, hobbies, and even go on side-quests from time to time. Celebrities often do the same thing, exploring the depths of their creativity and passions. Books, music & more by multifaceted celebs Hidden Faces by Salvador Dalí How you know them: Salvador Dalí is one … Read more
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes your old VHS tapes. Even if you still have a VCR to play them, the tape quality can degrade as the years go by. The solution? Digitize those tapes. And you can do it for free in the Main Library Creative Studio! That’s why library patron Alex Yu has … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Happy Solstice! It is the longest day of the year. The sun is shining. The air is fresh, and we don’t have to think about fall or winter for several more weeks. To celebrate, we made you a book list. If there is an audiobook available, we noted how long … Read more
The next time you’re at Dole Branch Library, come see a wonderful collection of ceramic pieces adorning the library shelves and walls. These pieces were created by participants in the Park District of Oak Park’s Active Adults ceramics class. We’ve included some photos here, but they’re really more impressive up close and in person! The … Read more
