On Saturday, October 19, donate new and like-new children’s essential items to Cradles to Crayons, a nonprofit that provides children living in low-income and homeless situations with the essential items they need to thrive—at home, at school, and at play. Donations will be collected from 10 am to 1 pm in the Main Library Lobby. Most … Read more
RELATED: Film Screening & Discussion: The Public, October 27 » Socks are consistently among the most requested items at homeless shelters. All October, we’re collecting new pairs at all library locations to benefit the clients of Housing Forward and other organizations. It’s our fourth year participating in Socktober. In 2018, thanks to your generosity, we … Read more
Hello, Early Bird Readers! Miss Shelley and Miss Jenny share ways to use rhymes, rhythm, and music to help kids connect to their needs and self regulate. About Early Bird Readers Early Bird Readers is a digital early learning program to support parents, caregivers, and teachers. It is based on the Very Ready Reading Program … Read more
Caregivers looking for spaces to breastfeed, pump, or bottle feed now have another option at the Main Library. Our newly installed and ADA-compliant Mamava lactation suite is now open in the Children’s Services Area for first-come, first-served use. “We are so excited to be able to offer this amenity,” says Jennifer Norborg, Manager of Children’s … Read more
Hello, Early Bird Readers! In today’s video Miss Jenny and Miss Shelley share ways to build a sense of community through play for preschoolers, and how to set the foundation with your babies and toddlers. Plus, we highlight Miss Jenny’s very favoritest book of the year! Find Thank You, Omu! in the catalog » About … Read more
For four weeks this summer, Oak Park elementary and middle-school students will once again be enjoying a new and exciting type of summer school opportunity created to enhance their study and reading skills while preparing them for the academic year ahead. In its second year at the Main Library, the program connects learning to inquiry, … Read more
How do you close the “homework gap”? In part, by working together. On Monday, June 10, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Superintendent Dr. Carol Kelley, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Senior Director of Technology Michael Arensdorff, and Oak Park Public Library Director David J. Seleb presented a webinar entitled “Closing the Homework Gap: … Read more
Hello, Early Bird Readers! In today’s video, Miss Jenny and Miss Shelley share ways to work on emotional dictionaries and self-regulation with children, and share their favorite picture book to use with social-emotional learning. Borrow The Rabbit Listened » About Early Bird Readers Early Bird Readers is a digital early learning program to support parents, … Read more
In April, New Moms Oak Park Center and Clare Place opened their doors to the community, inviting us in to see their beautiful new building at 206 Chicago Ave. The new location provides 18 permanent supportive homes for previously homeless families with young children, plus space for community programs and an outdoor playground. “For more … Read more
When visiting local daycares and preschools, Children’s Outreach and Programming Specialist Jenny Jackson (pictured) always includes social and emotional concepts in her storytimes. “What do you think ‘anxious’ is? Have you ever had butterflies in your tummy?” she asks as reads aloud to preschoolers in the PreKindergarten Partnership (PKP) classes at Longfellow Elementary, one of … Read more
