Sharing your identity with friends, family, and community should be empowering and affirming, but for LGBTQIA+ young people, coming out is often scary rather than a moment of celebration. According to the 2023 National Survey on the Mental Health of LGBTQ Young People, fewer than 40% of LGBTQ young people found their home to be … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy I love how much our community uses the library. Sometimes that means waiting for the hottest titles. Don’t fret! I can help you find a similar reading experience to THAT book you are waiting for or that you finally read and loved. All Fours readalikes The Misfortune of Marion Palm … Read more
Today, it’s easier than ever to get information from the internet using smart devices like phones and tablets. When you use smartphones and tablets, you’ll commonly run into the terms downloading and uploading. These words describe activities you have probably already learned how to do. For example, when you open an email on your phone, … Read more
Pop-up libraries are collections you can access outside library buildings, in spaces where people already congregate. Our first one was installed this spring at the Park District of Oak Park’s Community Recreation Center, and we’re thrilled to add a second location! Kids and families can find it at Wonder Works Children’s Museum, 6445 West North … Read more
Latonia Jackson, Manager of Middle and High School Services, says the number one question she consistently gets from teens and their parents is, “Can you help me get a job?” To help prepare teens for getting jobs—as well as providing exposure to library career paths and the field of library work in general—we welcomed five … Read more
By Creative Technology Librarian Amy Hofmockel Getting to know your phone’s home screen can help you find the apps and tools you need to get your tasks done—whether that’s making a phone call, checking email, or using a favorite app. You can even organize your home screen so only your most used apps show there. Let’s … Read more
By Eileen Saam, Children’s Librarian Looking for fun and educational websites for kids without advertisements? You’ve come to the right place! From math games, puzzles, and science videos to language learning activities, art exploration, and narrated stories, the list of free websites below offers a variety of engaging online experiences for kids of all ages. … Read more
To meet our community’s growing needs, we partnered with Triton College this spring to offer an eight-week conversational Spanish course for 12 library staff members at the Main Library. The course was designed to help staff provide more responsive customer service and build relationships with Spanish-speaking community members who frequent the library. Rashmi Swain, Adult … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Have you signed up for adult summer reading? No? Fret not! We are only halfway through so there’s plenty of time to sign up! Already registered? Keep reading, watching, listening, and participating to earn chances for the grand prize! Below find some materials and activities to get you on your … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná We know Halloween is 115 days away—but there is just something extra scary about taking in horror stories in the bright sunshine. (Midsommar, anyone?) We’ve gathered six horror and thriller novels that will make you glad that nights are very short this time of year. Summer screams: 6 books you’ll … Read more
By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Every July, we come together to celebrate Disability Pride as a community! As a disabled librarian (neurodivergent and chronically ill), I love creating programs not only for disabled kids but celebrating us as well. When Miss Genevieve and I lead our Disability Understanding and Advocacy field trips for elementary kids, … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Happy Solstice! It is the longest day of the year. The sun is shining. The air is fresh, and we don’t have to think about fall or winter for several more weeks. To celebrate, we made you a book list. If there is an audiobook available, we noted how long … Read more
Did you know that there is an app you can use to search for library materials, place holds, and manage your checkouts all in one place? The SWAN Libraries + app makes finding and requesting items easy. Let’s review a few basics of how to use the SWAN Libraries + app Install the app Download … Read more
American teens are in a mental health crisis, according to the Office of the Surgeon General and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—and it began even before the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why, since 2019, assistant professor and researcher Ashley Knapp (pictured above, left), who studies teens, technology, and mental health at Northwestern University’s Feinberg … Read more
By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Did you know that 70% of disabled adults do not engage in community activities? The first time I heard this statistic it gave me pause. I see it with my disabled brother and his friends, but it’s hard to see it widely confirmed. It’s what inspired me to develop a … Read more
June is Audiobook Appreciation Month It seems like we have a month and/or week to celebrate just about everything these days. This month is Audiobook Appreciation Month, which covers one of my favorite pastimes. I listen to audiobooks constantly—when I’m doing dishes, walking the dog, or drifting off to sleep (after setting a sleep timer on … Read more
This latest issue of the library’s magazine (pdf) highlights summer reading programs for kids, teens, and adults, plus: We love to see how you use your public library If you have an idea or story to share with us for a future issue, please contact us at communications@oppl.org. You can also share stories, photos, and more through … Read more
By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Most people look at summer as a time to relax and have fun. For Children’s Services Librarians, it’s our busy season! We’ve spent the past few months preparing the summer reading program, and now it’s here! This summer, our theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Once again we are using … Read more
By Hal, Rainbow Services Librarian This year, our theme for kids summer reading is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Reading books, trying out something new in a Discovery Kit, or attending a library event can all be adventures. I think the best adventures teach us more about ourselves and those around us. June 1 is … Read more
Jacob Grant is an award-winning Oak Park author, illustrator, and dad who makes picture books, including Umami, No Pants!, and Bear’s Scare. He won the prestigious Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustration Exhibition earlier this year. And he designed our new acorn character mascot for the Pop-Up Library initiative, which debuted in April! Below, Jacob shares … Read more
