In May, Oak Park residents Pem Hessing, Nicole Sumida, and Yoko Terretta organized a family celebration at the Main Library in honor of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. In addition to literary readings, fine art, food, and martial arts demonstrations, they celebrated notable Asian Americans and also challenged definitions of who is considered … Read more
Thank you for your generosity this Socktober! To help fellow community members in need, you donated well over 200 pairs of socks, plus backpacks, toiletries, gloves, and long underwear at the library in October. The bulk of these donations will go to clients of Housing Forward. ‘Speaks to how needed we are’ Even more so … Read more
Emilia and Camila, ages 6 and 4, finished our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program in November. This November, our early literacy program 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten turns 2. And to celebrate these not-at-all-terrible twos, we’re highlighting a few graduates of the long-term program. To help prepare our community’s babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to arrive at … Read more
This year’s Community Kwanzaa Celebration will be the third one that Oak Park resident Juanta Griffin has organized at the Main Library. Here, Griffin shares what the celebration means and what she’s looking forward to this year. “We believe that inclusion fosters understanding, and understanding builds respect, and with respect there can be peace,” she … Read more
In November, two traveling art exhibits that inspire empathy and connection are on display at the Main Library. When Home Won’t Let You Stay, in the Idea Box, shares stories and portraits of refugees. Community on a Shelf, in the Lobby Community Engagement Space, explores the human side of mental illness, community support, and libraries. … Read more
Of all the Peruvian folk dances that Oak Park resident Kathy Valdivia has studied and taught, her favorite is the Huaylarsh. It’s “a happy dance,” she says, one that recalls agricultural work and courtship among young people in the central Andean highlands of Peru, where Valdivia is originally from. When Valdivia (pictured) moved to Oak … Read more
In April, Oak Park resident Dima Ali (pictured above) came to the library with a concern—and an idea. Ramadan was coming up in May, and there were no public programs yet planned at the library to recognize it, this holy month of spiritual reflection and fasting for Muslims around the world. “There is a need … Read more
Date Issued: Friday, October 18, 2019Proposals Due: Friday, November 8, 2019, 5 pmOpening and Recording: Monday, Nov. 11, 2019 at 10 am, Main Library, Scoville Room The Oak Park Public Library is requesting proposals to contract for the provision of cleaning services for its three branch locations. All questions regarding this Request For Proposal (RFP) … Read more
“It was love.” That’s how planning committee member Josh Easter summed up last weekend’s Restorative Community Practices Conference—three days of peace circles, panel discussions, workshops, meals, music, and conversation. The October 4-6 conference drew national experts, local activists and teachers, families with children, community leaders, and passionate individuals. Together, we took a deep dive into … Read more
The library, in partnership with Rush University Medical Center is offering free mental health assessments (through prescheduled appointments) for children, teens, and adults on Wednesdays from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm at the Main Library. A Rush psychologist will conduct the onsite assessment. To learn more about these free assessments and to schedule an appointment, … Read more
