Are you thinking about buying a new car, appliance, gadget, or literally anything else, but feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start? Consumer Reports is designed to help you navigate all of the options and narrow down products based on consumer tests and reviews. Their goal is to create a fair and just marketplace … Read more
Tucked away in the northwest corner of the Main Library’s third floor are treasures you might not expect to find in a public library. For example, there’s a childhood essay that Ernest Hemingway wrote on lined paper, titled “A Trip to Field Museum.” A baby book that documents the first 18 months of Ernest’s older … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná From the plague to the 1918 influenza to now, pandemics have been unwelcome members of society. Touching everyone and everything, global sickness and the changes we have to make to get through makes us anxious and sends us looking for an escape. No wonder we turn to fiction that explores … Read more
Feel that chill in the air? Halloween season is here! Your Oak Park librarians are back with spine-tingling reads, creepy tales, and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Browse: Spine-chilling tales & scary stories More from your digital library HORROR FOR ADULTS HORROR FOR TEENS HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS Attend: Upcoming events FOR ADULTS Wednesday … Read more
By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam If you have a school project and need to find a variety of sources for your research, your library is here to the rescue! On the Homework Help for Kids page, you can access many subscription-based resources with your Oak Park library card and PIN. One valuable resource available to … Read more
October is Health Literacy Month, a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the healthcare system more accessible to navigate. Did you know that our library offers a variety of resources and programs dedicated to health and wellness? Explore our collection of resources and find support for your health and … Read more
It’s that time of the year—the leaves start turning, a chill is in the air, the sun sets earlier, and we all start craving the deliciousness of pumpkin spice. Okay, maybe not all of us, but it is time to get cozy and comfy, start baking and boiling, and bust out the sweaters and hoodies. … Read more
Have you heard people refer to backing up digital files to “the cloud”? Or the term “cloud backup” or “cloud-based storage”? All of these phrases are ways of describing how files are saved to an offsite location that can be accessed remotely. Companies like Apple, Dropbox, Google, and Microsoft store these files for you at … Read more
When our Library of Things collection made its debut last September, Nicole Brown and her family were ready for it. On previous visits to the Main Library, they’d seen staff assembling the wall in the lobby (pictured above) that showcases items in the collection. Things like an electric drill, a pair of tennis rackets, a … Read more
Every year during Banned Books Week (September 22-28 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
September is a beloved month for librarians, as we celebrate both Banned Books Week and Library Card Sign-Up Month—say “hi” to one of our newest library cardholders pictured above! Since you made it here to this page, it’s likely that you already have a library card. But do you know about all of the things … Read more
Fall family fun is in full swing here in Oak Park! Explore free activities—curated by your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood—specially designed for families with young children. The season is just packed! Activities Storytimes Places Events
By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris The sun is setting earlier, and nights are lasting longer. This is the time of year when our “Chills and Thrills” bin of picture books gets checked out the most, teachers take out stacks of Halloween books, and kids ask for mysteries and scary stories. Even I love to be … Read more
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: This commemorative month (held September 15-October 15) was officially designated as Hispanic Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress in 1968. Learn more at … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná People contain multitudes. We have multiple interests, hobbies, and even go on side-quests from time to time. Celebrities often do the same thing, exploring the depths of their creativity and passions. Books, music & more by multifaceted celebs Hidden Faces by Salvador Dalí How you know them: Salvador Dalí is one … Read more
Nothing lasts forever, and that includes your old VHS tapes. Even if you still have a VCR to play them, the tape quality can degrade as the years go by. The solution? Digitize those tapes. And you can do it for free in the Main Library Creative Studio! That’s why library patron Alex Yu has … Read more
Sharing your identity with friends, family, and community should be empowering and affirming, but for LGBTQIA+ young people, coming out is often scary rather than a moment of celebration. According to the 2023 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, fewer than 40% of LGBTQ young people found their home to be … Read more
By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian 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 more than ten years ago, but the start of the school year is still the start of my personal new year. For a lot of young … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy September is Library Card Sign-Up Month, and to celebrate we are featuring some fun facts you might not know. (Don’t have your Oak Park card yet? Let’s get started ») With your Oak Park library card, you can… Get creative Did you know? You have access to a poster printer, a laser … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy 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. All Fours readalikes The Misfortune of Marion Palm … Read more
