Every year during Banned Books Week (October 5-11 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
I love how much our community uses the library. Sometimes that means waiting for the hottest titles. Don’t fret! I can help you find a similar reading experience to THAT book you are waiting for or that you finally read and loved. A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping readalikes The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst … 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. Friends! At the library, we’re about building connections, creating experiences, and giving every kid a … Read more
It’s a beautiful season! From playful family adventures to creative fun, fall is for connection and new ways to learn and grow. Take a peek at all the exciting happenings for families—curated by your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood—and we’ll see you around the neighborhood! Activities Storytimes Places Events
As mentioned in my first post in this series, Google is a great resource of information and can be a useful first source when researching for school projects. But did you know that there are many subscription-based library resources that can be accessed online with your Oak Park library card? Not only that, but you … Read more
Welcome to the -ber months: September, October, November, and December! Most people celebrate the start of a new year in January. Not me. I graduated from library school more than 15 years ago, but the start of the school year is still the start of my personal new year. For a lot of young kids, … Read more
Traducir esta página al español 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: Titles we suggest More to explore Available in Spanish from your digital library Upcoming events For adults … Read more
We are living in a time with a never-ending stream of information and media that seeks our time and attention. How can you know what is true, what is false, and what is simply taken out of context? It is up to you to fact-check the information you consume, which means taking time to go … Read more
There are so many ways to use your library, and we’ve rounded up a few special ones for kids and families here. Not all of them require a library card, but we encourage Oak Park residents of any age to get one—even babies! I like to explore new places A library card can help you … Read more
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month. Celebrate your public library by trying a service you haven’t used before. Unlock the full potential of your library card While our library continues to provide traditional services such as lending books and movies, providing computers and printing services, and answering general reference questions, we are also very proud of all of … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Folks have said that their library card is the most valuable card in their wallet. Okay, former First Lady Laura Bush (a former librarian!) is generally attributed with saying this, but I bet a lot of people would agree. Why? Unlike those other cards you use to spend money, your library … Read more
To support equitable access for all Oak Park residents and ensure responsible use of library funds, we’re changing the number of monthly Hoopla borrows. Starting September 1, the monthly borrow limit will change from 10 to 5. The majority of Hoopla users (77%) borrow five or fewer items each month and will not be affected by this change. … Read more
Searching for information using search engines like Google can feel overwhelming at times. The results can seem cluttered, making it difficult to sort through. Search results may appear alongside a variety of ads, knowledge panels, featured snippets, and AI-generated overviews. This post will help identify some of the ways Google presents various information on a … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy The UK’s most prestigious literary award, The Booker Prize is awarded annually to the best novel of the year written in English and published in the UK or Ireland. Check out the longlist titles below—featuring all of the titles currently or soon to be available in the U.S.—and look for the shortlist … Read more
By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam At the Oak Park Public Library, we are always looking for ways to foster learning experiences for children who we serve. We have developed a sizable collection of Discovery Kits, which are filled with everything you need to foster the kinds of exploratory, hands-on experiences that are inherent in STEAM … Read more
Connecting with the community even once a week is great for the body and mind. Library and community programs offer an easy and affordable way to stay connected and meet new people. Take advantage of the free and low-cost programs Oak Park has to offer this fall. 1. Older Adults Coffee Hour Join us on the … 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 Annual Disability Pride March & Rally We made signs with messages like “We celebrate our … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná 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 … Read more
How do you think a book gets to the shelf in a library? Where does it go after that? We’ve got a video to answer these and other questions, thanks to our Collections Services Team members who do the work! A tell-all tale In this tell-all tale of mystery and wonder, Supervising Librarian Maya Conde-Kalmijn and colleagues will … Read more
Have you ever wished you could explore the worlds of your favorite characters? Do you dream of running off on a grand adventure with your friends by your side? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you might want to try tabletop roleplaying at your next game night. I am a huge … Read more
