By Shelley Harris, Early Literacy Librarian Learning is a key and consistent part of my job. The highlight of my learning year is the Assistive Technology Industry Association’s annual ATIA conference. I attend the conference every winter and bring back program and accessibility ideas for the library to implement. This year, we met virtually, yet … Read more
Hemingway, the new three-part documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, premieres on WTTW and PBS on April 5-7. See the WTTW schedule » And if you watch the film, you’ll see some archival images from your library, showing a young Ernest growing up in Oak Park. Our Manager and Curator of Special Collections Leigh Tarullo started … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Love to be among the first to discover an amazing new book? We’re switching it up this month and sharing some books that you might get to brag about being the first among your friends to read. Put a hold on these fiction titles before everyone else does! Fiction titles … Read more
The next Consolidated Municipal Election is Tuesday, April 6. Let the Oak Park-River Forest League of Women Voters help you do your voting homework on candidates running for elected positions in our village. This series of local candidate forums was co-hosted by the library and the league, a grassroots non-partisan political organization encouraging the informed … Read more
By Children’s Librarian Genevieve Grove Whether we are signing “What’s the Weather” in kindergarten or wondering what we should wear each day, meteorology is on our minds! Meteorology studies the atmosphere to learn more about weather processes and systems, and to use that information to forecast what’s coming. Observable weather events are called “meteorological phenomena” … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná This year, we’ll take any reason to celebrate! But this year’s book award season was one we’re still buzzing over—with historic wins and really good titles for all ages. Here are some of the year’s winning titles, all written by women. 2021 award-winning titles by women Fathoms: The World in the … Read more
By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Music is a valuable way for kids to learn! Songs can help kids hear how words are made, listen better to instructions, and take important movement breaks. All of these things will support kids when they are learning in school. Caregivers can use slow songs like “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” to … Read more
The library is partnering with Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies (CBITs), on a project to design new smartphone apps that help teens better understand and manage their emotions, stress, and anxiety. Teens ages 12-17 are invited to get involved in this research project. Virtual interviews (lasting about 1-1.5 hours) will be scheduled … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Looking for some nonfiction reading suggestions? Discover these recently released under-the-radar gems just waiting for you! Recently new nonfiction titles Girl, Gurl, Grrrl by Kenya Hunt Why you should try it: When you are reading, do you love the feeling that you and the author are having a genuine, warm, … Read more
By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Engineering sounds like a big and overwhelming topic, especially for caregivers that aren’t as familiar or comfortable with science. But in fact, even babies and toddlers explore engineering! Engineering activities include: Building (with blocks, legos, and more) Construction Cause and effect Math Paper airplanes Not too overwhelming, right? Check out … Read more
