By Collection Management Librarian Kathy The Booker Prize for Fiction is open to writers of any nationality, writing in English and published in the UK or Ireland between October 1, 2019 and September 30, 2020. The shortlist will be announced on September 15, 2020. See previous winners of the Booker Prize » You can find all … Read more
As featured this week in the Wednesday Journal’s 40th anniversary edition, we are inviting everyone to add their treasured recipes to a growing virtual community cookbook. It’s meant to bring together and reflect the many cultures, tastes, and traditions of the Oak Park community. We know recipes, especially those passed down through generations, can build connections … 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. The Vanishing Half read-alikes The Complete Fiction of … Read more
“In a time when a lot has changed for kids, the fact that summer reading is for fun has not.” —Nora Flynn, parent of a 9-year-old summer reading champ To keep everyone safe and reading for fun, we’ve gone virtual with this year’s summer reading program. And while it looks different this year, kids and … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Gothic novels have a reputation for being dark, foreboding, and full of creepy houses. But they’re also known for being classics. Think Frankenstein and Dracula, Jane Eyre and Carmilla. The novels featured here are recent entries to the gothic scene, taking everything we love about the classics and adding something … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Summer is here, but it looks nothing like how we imagined it. In a pre-pandemic world, this would be a list of fun and breezy reads to take with you to the beach. For now, though, enjoy these dark thrillers from the comfort of your backyard, deck chair, or favorite … Read more
By Children’s Librarians Shelley Harris and Genevieve Grove 5,100 challenges completed. 2,000 books read, in 285,000 minutes. 975 readers. 11,000 beads earned. AND COUNTING! Six weeks into our new virtual summer reading program, kids are blowing us away with their enthusiasm and determination. Adults know that kids who read at least 20 minutes a day … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Illustrated covers have become a trend for contemporary romance novels. They’re cute, expressive, and can be drawn to fit the mood and style of the author and story. In honor of International Kissing Day, here are some romance novels with illustrated covers. Check out the kiss-o-meter to learn more about … Read more
There are so many ways to bring stories into your lives, and podcasts offer a great way to listen, learn, enjoy, and grow anytime, anywhere—at home and on-the-go! Kidcasts are podcasts created especially for kids, and we’ve gathered together a list of our favorites recommended by NPR, Kids Listen, and American Public Media for you … Read more
Our library’s Executive Director David J. Seleb has joined the board of directors of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation. He began serving on the 11-member board in June 2020, as he continues to lead the library using the Harwood Institute’s “turning outward” approach. “The Harwood Institute has profoundly influenced my professional and personal life … Read more
