By Kristen Romanowski, Staff Writer & Editor Longtime library regular and self-taught artist Vanley Roebuck will show his paintings in an exhibit this November at the Main Library. We caught up with him this summer, when some of his work was on display at Maze Branch, to talk about how he got into painting and … Read more
We’ve got some fantastic programs for adults coming up this fall, thanks to Jabez Patterson, Programming Librarian in Adult Services. Jabez, who joined the library in January, collaborates with local authors, musicians, and more to bring high-quality virtual and in-person programs to the library. He’s guided by community interests as well as his own—which include … Read more
A book-themed garden at a local elementary school? We can dig it! Since spring 2019, the Bookworm Garden at Irving Elementary School has been growing pollinator-friendly flowers, fruits, and veggies. And with a different children’s book featured in each raised bed, this garden also nurtures a lifelong love of reading in the students who work … Read more
If you’ve visited Maze Branch lately, you may have noticed a new spot to sit down and take a rest, on a green bench just outside the building entrance. The inviting new PoSITivity Bench came to Maze Branch this spring, thanks to a local chapter of The Links, Incorporated. Made up of professional women of … Read more
For the past four years, Oak Park library patron Lindsay Olson has hosted a weekly Zoom storytime with her granddaughters on the West Coast. “We were so grateful we had our storytime sessions in place when the pandemic hit,” Olson says. “Not seeing our family for two years was made easier by our Sunday storytimes.” … Read more
After a pandemic hiatus, our library magazine is back! The summer 2022 issue of The Storyline is online now. Limited print copies will be available while they last at all library locations starting in June. The summer issue highlights what’s happening for kids, adults, and teens at the library and in the community, such as … Read more
By Christian Harris Note: A version of this post first appeared in Wednesday Journal and OakPark.com on December 7, 2021. Read the piece on OakPark.com » As a young Black man growing up in Oak Park, I was never taught that Black people lived here before the 1950s, when world-renowned chemist Percy Julian moved in. I would … Read more
Our community showed an abundance of giving in October, during two donation drives hosted at the Main Library. Thanks to all who donated! Boxes & boxes of socks! This was our fifth year participating in the annual Socktober drive. In past years, we collected hundreds of pairs of socks for clients of shelters. And this … Read more
Help us warm souls AND soles by donating new socks all October to benefit the clients of Housing Forward. And during the last week of October, we’ll be collecting donations of warm kids’ clothing and gear for Cradles to Crayons. October 1-31: New socks for Housing Forward clients Did you know that socks are consistently among the most … Read more
Thanks to all who participated in a joyful summer of creative learning with your public library! This summer’s reading program, Reading Colors Your World, was about so much more than reading, says Elementary School Services Librarian Genevieve Grove. “It was about experiential learning, getting kids physically moving and out exploring in nature, and having fun … Read more
