Connecting you to Black history, then & now

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here with books, resources, and experiences that can help us connect and celebrate Black history and culture. Browse titles we suggest More to explore View exhibits Art Exhibit: Stories My Camera Tells by Howard SimmonsThrough February 22, Main Library Gallery Still photography tells its stories through captured moments in time. Stories told with … Read more

Celebrity book club round-up, January 2025

Read with the stars text with sparkling stars and a book collage above

Since Oprah’s first book club pick in 1996, we have been reading as the celebrities do, falling in love with, or hating, characters with our fellow book club readers. Book clubs offer an opportunity to be in community with others, even if we’re not together in person.  Other celebrities who love to read have started … Read more

Honoring MLK Day: Books, a display, resources & more

Martin Luther King Jr. leaning on a podium at a press conference, alongside a collage of book covers

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 20), all library buildings will be closed. We’ve gathered together title suggestions, online resources, and more to help you celebrate the life and legacy of one of the best-known leaders of the civil rights movement. Check out these titles Contribute to a community ‘Dream Hands’ display As … Read more

New Year refresh: Books to get creative, active, moving & out

Collage of book covers

Happy New Year, Oak Park! Ready to refresh in the new year? Explore our curated selection of books and digital resources on crafting, activism, exercise, and travel. Whether your goals are focused on exploring your creativity, making a difference, prioritizing your health, or going on an adventure, your public library has the resources to help … Read more

Best of 2024: Adult fiction & nonfiction

Best of 2024: Adult fiction & nonfiction

Oak Park’s Best of 2024 is back! See our adult fiction and nonfiction staff favorites on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | Kids books | Picture books | Movies & TV shows | Music Adult fiction: General All Fours by Miranda July … Read more

Best of 2024: Kids & picture books

Best of 2024: Kids & Picture Books

Oak Park’s Best of 2024 is back! See our kids and picture books staff favorites on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | Kids books | Picture books | Movies & TV shows | Music Kids books Daggers of Ire by J.C. Cervantes … Read more

Best of 2024: Teen fiction & nonfiction

Best of 2024: Teen fiction & nonfiction

Oak Park’s Best of 2024 is back! See our teen fiction and nonfiction staff favorites on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | Kids books | Picture books | Movies & TV shows | Music Teen fiction & nonfiction Creature: Paintings, Drawings & … Read more

Best of 2024: Movies, TV shows, & music

Best of 2024: Movies, music & more

Oak Park’s Best of 2024 is back! See some of our staff’s favorite TV shows, movies, and music on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | Kids books | Picture books | Movies & TV shows | Music Movies & TV shows The … Read more

National Book Award Winners 2024

Book covers of the winners of the 75th National Book Awards

Check out the 2024 National Book Awards winners and our read-alike titles, suggested by Oak Park’s fantastically well-read librarians! The National Book Awards were established in 1950 to celebrate the best writing in America. Learn more about how the awards work from the National Book Foundation » The winners & readalikes The winners

Gift Guide 2024

Gift Guide 2024 text with a gold gift box surrounded by gold bows and gold leaves

Looking for gift ideas for this holiday season? Might we suggest a great book? Our collection management librarians have gathered some of their favorite recently published titles that are sure to engage, educate, and inspire people of all ages! Adults | Teens & kids Adults: for the… Teens & kids: for the…

Transgender Awareness Week: Books & resources

Transgender flag drawn in chalk

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

Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Book cover collage

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, videos, online resources, and learning experiences that … Read more

Relevant reads: Pandemic novels & short stories 2024

Illustration of people wearing surgical face masks

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná From the plague to the 1918 influenza to now, pandemics have been unwelcome members of society. Touching everyone and everything, global sickness and the changes we have to make to get through makes us anxious and sends us looking for an escape. No wonder we turn to fiction that explores … Read more

Chilling reads, thrilling tales & lots of Halloween fun

Collage of book covers

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 from your digital library HORROR FOR ADULTS HORROR FOR TEENS HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS Attend: Upcoming events FOR ADULTS Wednesday … Read more

Books with (pumpkin) spice

Collage books with a repeating pattern of pumpkins, mushrooms, leaves, and fall flowers behind

It’s that time of the year—the leaves start turning, a chill is in the air, the sun sets earlier, and we all start craving the deliciousness of pumpkin spice. Okay, maybe not all of us, but it is time to get cozy and comfy, start baking and boiling, and bust out the sweaters and hoodies. … Read more

Banned Books Week 2024

Banned Books Week 2024: September 22-28, ala.org/bbooks text with the ALA American Library Assocation logo and an open book with the words Freed Between the Lines wedged between the pages

Every year during Banned Books Week (September 22-28 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

Hispanic Heritage books, events, videos & more

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here to connect you with books, events, learning experiences, and online resources that celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can: This commemorative month (held September 15-October 15) was officially designated as Hispanic Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress in 1968. Learn more at … Read more

They did what now? Titles by multifaceted celebrities

Collage of book covers

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

Library Card Sign-Up Month

New library cardholders posing with their new cards

By Collection Management Librarian Kathy September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and to celebrate we are featuring some fun facts you might not know. (Don’t have your Oak Park card yet? Let’s get started ») With your Oak Park library card, you can… Get creative Did you know? You have access to a poster printer, a laser … Read more