As an 18-month grant-funded initiative to empower youth for college and career builds to a finish at the Main Library, those involved are calling it a “community catalyst” for the way it’s sparking opportunities, strengthening relationships, and energizing young people, families, and those who work with young people. “To catalyze something means you can walk … Read more
To better serve our community, now and into the future, we routinely commit to investing in two of Oak Park’s two greatest assets: library staff and library space. In 2018, the Board of Library Trustees approved a 2019 budget that enables us to do two important things this year. One is to take a big-picture … Read more
Due to the National Weather Service’s forecast and wind chill watch—in effect from Tuesday evening through Thursday morning—all library buildings will close at 6 pm Tuesday and will remain closed all day Wednesday, January 30. The library expects to open for regular hours on Thursday, January 31. For updates, check oppl.org, and the library’s Facebook and Twitter pages. According to … Read more
Turn any day into a “learn from home” day with these fun, educational remote learning resources for kids. Login requires an Oak Park Public Library card and PIN. History comes to life African-American History Online: Covering five centuries, log in for a fresh way to find the full spectrum of African-American history and culture. American … Read more
Poet Luis Tubens has been working with young people at the Main Library since January 2017. That’s when he became the library’s first artist in residence, consistently drawing lots of middle schoolers to his after-school writing workshops and open mics. Although his residency ended in summer 2017, Tubens didn’t stop working with kids at the … Read more
It started as a way to celebrate the black experience all year long, and not just during Black History Month. Now, almost 36 months later, the library’s More Than a Month series kicks off its fourth year with an expanded outlook and programs that promote conversation and year-round enrichment for all. ‘It’s both/and’ More Than … Read more
A People’s History of Chicago was at the center of our One Book, One Oak Park series in 2018. In 77 poems, author Kevin Coval traces the city’s history through often untold perspectives, including African-American, Latinx, LGBTQ, and working-class experiences. Find it in the catalog » Poems that bridge time and place One thread running … Read more
“Some people have a tendency of underestimating young people,” said Middle School Librarian Jose Cruz. “When sometimes it’s that we’re not providing them with something that is interesting for them, so you won’t see the results.” That hasn’t been the case for the Living History Project, a grant-funded initiative that’s formed a tight-knit group of … Read more
Learn about new apps, websites, programs, and more; plus, get answers to your tech questions and explore your creative side during upcoming open maker labs at your library. Basic and Intermediate Tech Workshops Mondays in January and February, 7 pm, Main Library Computer Classroom. Register now. January 7: Intro to Computers January 14: Basic Internet January … Read more
Special Collections curates, houses, and conserves Oak Park’s historical treasures, and makes them publicly available both in person and digitally. In 2018 we worked with the Conservation Center in Chicago to conserve a work of art of special significance to the library—a rare window from the Scoville Institute, the late 19th-century building that once stood … Read more
