Music has always been part of Antonia Celeste Lucas-Ruppert’s life. “I call myself a gospel blues singer,” she says, tambourine in hand. Antonia is recording an album in the Main Library Audio Booth, which she hopes to release this fall. … Read more
As a separate 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library have been raising funds and building valuable bridges between the library and community since 1948. The Friends are probably best known for the annual Book Fair, … Read more
This August 31 is the 25th anniversary of International Overdose Awareness Day. At the Main Library, the Oak Park Township and River Forest Township Opioid Task Force will screen the film Recovery City, followed by a Q&A panel with local … Read more
To help teens prepare for college and career—as well as provide exposure to library career paths—we welcomed five paid teen interns at the library this summer. From mid-June through July, two interns worked in Materials Handling, two in the Main … Read more
In Lights, Camera, Community, a weekly after-school program at the Main Library, high school students have been learning the basics of video production and putting their new skills into practice. Earlier this year, students worked together to film, edit, and … Read more
The American Library Association’s National Library Week is April 19–25, 2026, with the theme “Find Your Joy.” Award-winning librarian, author, and new host of the children’s program Reading Rainbow, Mychal Threets is the 2026 Honorary Chair of National Library Week. … Read more
Finding the right book or information for people is what librarians do. So when Jane wrote to us in September with a mysterious book-finding query, multiple librarians across departments jumped right in to try to solve it. “I have a … 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, … Read more
One evening when Danielle Désiré was small, about 3 or 4 years old, she was running around in the backyard. It was time to settle down for the night and get ready for bed, but Danielle was too busy watching … Read more
Announcing our newest pop-up library location: Oak Park River Forest Museum, 129 Lake St., Oak Park. Pop-up libraries allow community members to use the library when they’re out and about, no library card or checkouts needed. The new collection is in the … Read more
After school, we know kids want to relax, be with their friends, do homework, have fun, and be creative. Here are seven reasons why middle and high school students are spending time at the library after the bell rings. 1. … Read more
We had such a fun month of intergenerational disability pride! Thanks to all who participated, collaborated, and supported our events this July and gave us feedback for next year. See just a few of this year’s highlights below, plus: 3rd … Read more
Update November 5, 2025: A second Oak Park Township location has been added at their Senior & Disability Services office, 130 S. Oak Park Ave. Announcing our newest pop-up library location at Oak Park Township‘s Youth & Family Services office, … Read more
Announcing our newest pop-up library location: The Daly Bagel, 130 Chicago Ave., Oak Park! Pop-up libraries allow community members to use the library when they’re out and about, no library card or checkouts needed. “We are thrilled and honored to be part … Read more
Before and during National Library Week, we asked our staff and community members: What do you love about libraries? What do libraries mean to you? Here’s what they shared. Library staff | Community members Oak Park library staff ‘Magical, vital … Read more
Announcing our newest pop-up library location: Oak Park’s Village Hall, 123 Madison St., Oak Park! Pop-up libraries allow community members to use the library when they’re out and about, no library card or checkouts needed. This new shelf, located in the welcome … Read more
Announcing our newest pop-up library location: Kids Unlimited Therapy Services, 820 North Blvd., Oak Park! Pop-up libraries allow community members to use the library when they’re out and about, no library card or checkouts needed. Kids Unlimited is our fourth pop-up library … 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 … Read more
Announcing our newest pop-up library location: Styles 4 Kidz, 235 Harrison St., Oak Park! 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 … Read more
Every Wednesday after school, middle schoolers gather at the Main Library for tea and snacks with their friends and a couple of trusted adults. It’s called Tea Talk, and it’s a time for everyone to talk about mental health and … Read more
