“One way we welcome all families into the library is providing supports for kids with disabilities,” said Early Literacy Librarian Shelley Harris. Pens that scan and read text aloud With one of the scanner pens available for checkout (pictured above), you can scan text in a book and hear the words read aloud. You also … Read more
Library live-streaming canceled; join us at OPRF Three years ago, Academy Award-nominated director Steve James filmed a year in the life of a dozen Oak Park and River Forest High School students. Due to overwhelming response and limited resources, we have canceled our plans to live-stream at the library. Please join us at Oak Park … Read more
IN THE NEWS: Free summer camp tackles equity gap; Power of Partnerships speaks to ‘whole child’ The Power of Partnerships (POP) Summer Program is a new free learning opportunity specifically designed to motivate and engage about 80 students entering grades 2–8 this fall. Happening now in the Main Library, Mondays through Fridays from 9 am to 3 pm, this … Read more
All summer long, we have been cheering and proclaiming the message that “Libraries are for everyone!” As your public library, we are for everyone because we are committed to encouraging the contributions of all people, regardless of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, national origin, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital and/or familial status, … Read more
Earlier this year, Library Assistant Hal (pictured above) saw an opportunity to spark conversations about gender identity with families in the Main Library Children’s Services department. As a transgender man who’s often mislabeled as “she,” Hal said, “it gets exhausting after a while.” So he put up a sign at the service desk: “Ask Me … Read more
Visit a Chicago-area museum The Museum Adventure Pass program provides special offers and discounts to library cardholders at unique cultural destinations throughout the Chicago area. Participating destinations include beautiful outdoor spaces such as Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, and Chicago Botanic Garden, historical facilities such as Oak Park’s Pleasant Home Foundation and Naper Settlement, and kid-centric … Read more
“When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read … they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.” —Rudine Sims Bishop, “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” (1990) Bridging diversity gaps This spring, a new Children’s Services task force with diverse staff … Read more
The following letter to the editor, by staff from the Oak Park Public Library, the Collaboration for Early Childhood, New Moms, and the Park District of Oak Park, was published in the June 12 edition of the Wednesday Journal and has been lightly edited for our website. Although rewarding once you arrive, it’s not always easy to get to … Read more
This summer, families with young children who sign up for our summer reading program also have the opportunity to sign up for our 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten program. It asks families to read—you guessed it—1,000 books together before their babies, toddlers, and preschoolers become kindergarteners. After finishing 1,000 books, each child gets to pick out a … Read more
Love free live music and the great outdoors? We’ve got good news for you! Ravinia Festival has once again generously offered Oak Park Public Library cardholders tickets to summer concerts. Specific dates are available for Chicago Symphony Orchestra Concerts and Martin Theater Concerts. Tickets are valid only on the date printed, may only be used on the evening … Read more
