Every Saturday, a group of families gathers at the public library for Arabic Calligraphy Club. Using free meeting room space at the Main Library, they bring supplies: plain white paper, pens and markers, canvases, bottles of ink. And, of course, snacks—a tin of butter cookies, a few tomatoes, falafel, chocolate. “It’s good family time,” says … Read more
As he travels across the country and the world as president of The Harwood Institute for Public Innovation, Rich Harwood said he finds a deep yearning for more connection. From Alabama to Israel, in Ohio and Michigan, people are wondering, “Do our lives matter? Will I be seen and heard? Does hope still matter?” “Without … Read more
Date Issued: April 9, 2019Proposals Due: May 6, 2019 The Oak Park Public Library will receive proposals for the administration of a Community Needs Assessment survey. Proposals will be accepted via email or at the Oak Park Public Library, 834 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois 60301 until 4:00 pm local time on May 6, 2019. … Read more
Know a stellar library worker? We know plenty! In 2003, an American Library Association resolution was proposed to formally recognize the hard work, dedication, and expertise of library support staff and librarians each year on the Tuesday of National Library Week, now officially designated National Library Workers Day. Our Oak Park staff showcased here represent … Read more
Last month we enjoyed sharing stories, creating, and discovering more about the Hindu spring festival Holi at Dole Branch Library! During the event, kids created a craft and learned more about Holi, also known as the “festival of colors” and the “festival of love,” through the Multicultural Collection. Mark your calendars for upcoming events featuring … Read more
Lively Athletics didn’t always sell kids’ shoes. In 2014, Anne Pezalla opened the store at 109 N. Oak Park Ave. with her sister Kate, selling women’s athletic clothing and shoes. In 2016, she started kicking around the idea of adding shoes for kids. She was participating in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at … Read more
Join us as we dig in for the first full season of the Maze Branch Community Sensory Garden. Launched last fall with local families who have kids with disabilities, the garden is completely accessible and offers programs through summer and fall. “We have a wide range of supports so anyone can come in and be … Read more
The following piece by Executive Director David J. Seleb was originally published as a letter to the editor in the March 13 edition of the Wednesday Journal, and has been lightly edited for our website. How do we bring people together when it feels like our society is breaking apart? That is one of the … Read more
Navin doesn’t start kindergarten until fall 2020, yet he’s already read more than 1,000 books! Committed to the long-term goal of reading together well before kindergarten, Navin and his family participated in the library’s 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. It’s designed to prepare babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to arrive ready to learn come kindergarten. “We … Read more
Did you know your library can be a great business partner? “I don’t think a lot of small business owners or entrepreneurs even know what an amazing resource the library can be,” said Anne Pezalla, co-owner of Oak Park store Lively Athletics. This National Entrepreneurship Week, February 16-23, we’re showcasing five ways the library supports … Read more
