‘A new kind of summer school’ returns July 15-August 9

Power of Partnerships Summer School

For four weeks this summer, Oak Park elementary and middle-school students will once again be enjoying a new and exciting type of summer school opportunity created to enhance their study and reading skills while preparing them for the academic year ahead. In its second year at the Main Library, the program connects learning to inquiry, … Read more

Expanding our world languages collections

For those who speak and read in languages other than English, there’s even more to find at the library this year, as we expand our world languages collections for adults, teens, and kids. Since last year, our librarians have been analyzing the collections, researching Oak Park demographics, and meeting with local educators to learn which … Read more

Parks, libraries, and building community

Book Bike at Barrie Park

The following post was originally published in the Wednesday Journal as “Parks, libraries, and building community,” a One View column by Jan Arnold and David J. Seleb, on Tuesday, June 18. Jan Arnold is executive director of the Park District of Oak Park. David J. Seleb is executive director of the Oak Park Public Library. … Read more

Partnering for equity in education

How do you close the “homework gap”? In part, by working together. On Monday, June 10, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Superintendent Dr. Carol Kelley, Oak Park Elementary School District 97 Senior Director of Technology Michael Arensdorff, and Oak Park Public Library Director David J. Seleb presented a webinar entitled “Closing the Homework Gap: … Read more

Middle schoolers matter

Three kids holding a giant cookie

We know the middle school years can be a time when kids need even more adult guidance, places to go, and things to do. That’s why, in addition to two full-time librarians who work with middle and high schoolers, we recently added two more staff members dedicated to serving tweens and teens. And now that … Read more

Early learning tips for kids, infants, June 2019

Early Bird Readers: Early learning tips for kids, infants up to age 5 #EarlyLearners

Hello, Early Bird Readers! In today’s video, Miss Jenny and Miss Shelley share ways to work on emotional dictionaries and self-regulation with children, and share their favorite picture book to use with social-emotional learning. Borrow The Rabbit Listened » About Early Bird Readers Early Bird Readers is a digital early learning program to support parents, … Read more

Building community: Tell us what you think

Building Community: Palaces for the People book cover

Inspired by this summer’s One Book, One Oak Park selection Palaces for the People by Eric Klinenberg, we are asking about and sharing community members’ perspectives on social infrastructure. This is what Klinenberg calls “the missing piece of the puzzle; and building places where all kinds of people can gather is the best way to … Read more

Get free Ravinia tickets at A Day in Our Village

Ravinia

Love free live music and the great outdoors? We’ve got good news for you! Highland Park-based Ravinia Festival has once again generously offered Oak Park Public Library cardholders a selection of free tickets to summer concerts. Through Ravinia’s Words & Music outreach program, specific dates are available for Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concerts and Martin Theater Concerts. Tickets are … Read more

‘We’re inextricably connected’

In this summer’s One Book, One Oak Park series, we’re connecting over Eric Klinenberg’s Palaces for the People, which looks at how open, accessible spaces can promote civic engagement and social interaction. The author uses the term “social infrastructure” to describe public libraries, parks, schools, community gardens, and other places where people assemble and engage. … Read more

Welcoming new neighbors, building community

In April, New Moms Oak Park Center and Clare Place opened their doors to the community, inviting us in to see their beautiful new building at 206 Chicago Ave. The new location provides 18 permanent supportive homes for previously homeless families with young children, plus space for community programs and an outdoor playground. “For more … Read more