We suggest: ‘Candyman’ readalikes

Book covers splattered with blood

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Candyman. Candyman. Candyman. Candyman. Can—nope. Not gonna catch us slipping! Nia DaCosta’s sequel to the 90s horror film—and fourth movie—in the Candyman series follows the return of the ghost of an enslaved man with a hook for a hand. It releases on August 27, and if you’re not ready to … Read more

We suggest: The 2021 Booker Prize longlist

Longlisted: The 2021 Booker Prize book covers

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 available in the U.S.—and look for the shortlist announced in … Read more

Year of the Butterfly: Your photos, drawings & more

Monarch caterpillar with leaves, and two boys with butterfly cage

Kids and families have been drawing, observing, crafting, and reading about plants and pollinators in this year’s summer reading program, with special activities that tie into the Year of the Butterfly. Some have even been growing native plants and raising butterflies, and sharing their moments with us. Summer reading runs through August 31, and you … Read more

We suggest: Celebrity book club round-up, August 2021

Celebrity Book Clubs: Read with the Stars

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 … Read more

A new & improved catalog experience

SWAN beta test catalog

Update: Access to the classic catalog ends after Saturday, April 30, 2022. As an Oak Park library cardholder, you have access to more than 10 million items from 100+ area libraries through the library’s catalog. It’s this collaborative “resource sharing” that gives Oak Parkers—and all SWAN library users—more access, more choices, and more value when … Read more

Librarian Shelley Harris recognized for dedication to young people

Shelley Harris holds an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) board in the Maze Branch Community Sensory Garden

The Illinois Library Association (ILA) Youth Services Forum has awarded Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris with the 2021 Golden Ticket Award for her “outstanding local contribution” to young people through programs that “promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries.” Shelley’s “creativity, incredible work ethic, and commitment to serving young patrons and their … Read more

Teens’ ice cream social brings ‘a ray of sunshine’

Our first Leading Edge Teen Advisory Board Ice Cream Social event in June was a huge success! Community members young and old came to meet the board members, get ice cream treats, take pictures, and play chess with our Teen Services Librarian, Alex Gutierrez. “This event truly brought a ray of sunshine to the Oak … Read more