Join us! Explore new ways to connect with yourself & your community at upcoming events

A collage of photos: a chair and yoga mats, heart healthy foods, and a cup of coffee with people talking in the background

By Health & Senior Services Librarian Rose Barnes Happy January 2024! The year is new, and the weather is cold. But luckily there are so many things happening at the library to help you stay warm and keep on track with any resolutions you might have made. I am not someone who makes New Year’s … Read more

Health Literacy Month: 3 ways to take charge of your health

Older adult meditating in a garden

By Health & Senior Services Librarian Rose Barnes October is the best! Apples, pumpkins, and crisp weather are back, and I am enjoying the change in the weather. Also, October is Health Literacy Month, a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the healthcare system easier to navigate. Did … 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

Cooking resources & programs at your library

Older adult and child cooking

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian As August winds down and we hang on to the last hot days of summer, I often find myself thinking about hearty fall produce and seasonal recipes. I am someone who relishes summer and takes advantage of the longer days by gardening or grilling outside, but towards … Read more

Disability Pride books, a display & supported events

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here to connect you with books, learning experiences, events, and online resources that celebrate people with disabilities and disability as an identity in July and all year long. On this page, you can: What is Disability Pride Month? Disability Pride celebrates people with disabilities and disability as an identity, honoring the … Read more

Celebrating Seniors Week 2023

Older Adults attending an event in the Main Library Veterans Room

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian It’s finally spring! And Celebrating Seniors Week is right around the corner—May 11-18, in fact. If you’re new to the area, or maybe have not had the opportunity to participate in Celebrating Seniors Week before, let me share some of my favorite aspects of the week. What is Celebrating … 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

Events to help you keep your New Year’s intentions, especially for older adults

Tibetan singing bowl in sound meditation therapy

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian January is a month when many set intentions for the New Year and some may even take on new projects or hobbies. This year, my intention is to slow down and be more present in my interactions and activities. With that in mind, I’d like to highlight … Read more

New year, fresh start: Title suggestions, health & wellness programs

New Year: Fresh Start 2023 text with colorful firework background

Happy New Year, Oak Park! Not big on resolutions? We understand! For some, the start of a new year is a time for wish-making and goal-setting. What would you like to feel, do, or experience more—or less—of this year? Might we suggest less stress, more movement, less clutter, or more color in 2023? Below you’ll … Read more

Especially for older adults: 5 ways to get more from your Oak Park library card

Patron posing with new library card

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! In celebration, I’d like to share some hidden benefits of having an Oak Park library card. Did you know that there is so much that you can do with your library card beyond checking out materials and logging onto a computer? … Read more