By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná McPherson-Joseph Travel with us to the oft-overlooked region of Appalachia. Nestled in the peaks, valleys, nooks, and crannies of the Appalachian Mountains, separating the East Coast from the Midwest, this beautiful region is home to rare accents, deep religion, and hidden secrets. Appalachian fiction Betty by Tiffany McDaniel Why you should … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Sexton Looking for a good nonfiction read? Whether it’s current events, history, science, memoir, or poetry, here are a few recently published books that are sure to scratch your nonfiction itch. Nonfiction titles you might have missed 14 Miles by D.W. Gibson Why you should try it: Tired of hearing … Read more
In 2017, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees approved a proclamation declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This day recognizes that Native peoples were the first inhabitants of North America and celebrates their history, traditions, and stories. We acknowledge that Oak Park is situated on the ancestral land of the … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Sexton We acknowledge 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. In 2017, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees approved a proclamation declaring … Read more
Each October, we recognize Health Literacy Month, a time to promote the importance of understandable health information. October is also a month chosen to highlight awareness of many disability communities, a time to call for acceptance of and advocacy for people who use communication aids to speak, have Down Syndrome, Sensory Processing Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, … Read more
‘The kind of project that makes us love Oak Park’ With funding from the Illinois State Library, we’ve launched an initiative to distribute new, free books to community members who are most in need of resources. Recipients will be able to keep these books forever and use them to build their home libraries. This new … Read more
Observed each October, Health Literacy Month highlights the importance of making health information easy to understand. Learn more at healthliteracymonth.org » Want to take charge of your health? Your public library can help you access trusted health information through online resources, books, virtual programs, and more. Want information about COVID-19? Check out Centers for Disease Control and … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Sexton Every year during Banned Books Week (September 27-October 3 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. The ALA’s Office of Intellectual Freedom compiles a list of the top ten most … Read more
“Schools are a reflection of our society, so in the wake of social justice and anti-racism demonstrations, we must support our students in becoming global citizens in a diverse democracy.” —Oak Park Elementary School District 97, Anti-Racism in District 97 All Oak Park Elementary School District 97 middle school students are reading and discussing Stamped: … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná McPherson-Joseph This October, we’re excited to welcome Claire Lombardo as the speaker at this year’s Ballinger Lecture, held virtually on Zoom, on Sunday, October 11, 2-3 pm. And we’re also thrilled that so many Oak Parkers read and loved Lombardo’s The Most Fun We Ever Had. In honor of her upcoming virtual … Read more
