Collage of book covers.

Learn for the fun of it

Develop a new skill, dive deep into a hobby you love, or expand your knowledge on a topic you’ve always wanted to explore with these books our librarians love. Check out the curated titles below, plus more to explore in your digital library and upcoming events where you can expand your knowledge, make, and create.

What sparks your curiosity?

More to discover from your digital library

Browse how-to ebooks, videos, and other resources available digitally with your Oak Park library card and PIN.

Ebooks

Digital magazines

Online resources

  • Auto Repair Source: Do-it-yourself repair and maintenance information on most major manufacturers of domestic and imported vehicles.
  • Creativebug: An inspirational resource for DIY, crafters, and makers with more than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.
  • Hobbies & Crafts Source: Detailed how-to instructions and creative ideas for hobby enthusiasts of all kinds, with full-text articles from leading hobby and craft magazines.
  • LinkedIn Learning: Online learning platform with video tutorials to learn business, software, technology, and creative skills to achieve personal and professional goals.
  • Mango Languages: Reach conversational proficiency in more than 70 languages—including learning English in more than 20 different native languages—good for beginners and tourists.
  • Pressbooks: Easy-to-use book writing software that creates a book in all the formats needed to publish, in print and digitally.

Videos

The Great Courses

The Great Courses instructional videos—with courses covering a wide range of topics, from Art to Zoology—are available on:

More lifelong learning on Hoopla

 Check out a Hoopla BingePass to get unlimited streaming for seven days with a single borrow:

  • Creative Coping Toolkit: From anxiety to belonging, find the mental health support you need with engaging programs, tips, and adaptable tools.
  • Curiosity Stream: Watch thousands of documentaries and nonfiction series spanning topics like science, nature, society, lifestyle, and even children’s content.
  • Fret Zealot: Master an instrument at your own pace with 3,500 video lessons from the world’s top instructors catering to all skill levels.
  • Gardening with Monty Don: Discover delightful gardening ideas with 300+ episodes of the UK’s acclaimed gardening series Gardeners’ World featuring the renowned British horticulture broadcaster and writer.
  • Get Healthy U TV BingePass: Transform your home into the ultimate fitness studio with a diverse range of workouts—strength, cardio, kickboxing, barre, bodyweight, low impact, yoga, and more—led by expert trainers.
  • In the Kitchen with Craftsy: Dive into a collection of 64 cooking and baking episodes led by renowned experts—covering everything from baking basics to advanced techniques—for everyone from novices to seasoned chefs.
  • medici.tv: Explore free classical music and jazz videos online—including concerts, opera shows, ballets, music documentaries, master classes, and world-class jazz performances.
  • New! PBS The French Chef: Cook up some magic with Julia Child. Savor authentic French cuisine as you dive into 84 delightful episodes.

How-to, hobby & crafting events

Follow the links below to register now.

For all ages

Cricut Workshop: Summer Reading T-Shirt B.Y.O.S. (Bring Your Own Shirt)
Thursday, August 20, 6:30 pm, Main Library

In this workshop, come design a reading list shirt, using a shirt that you bring to the event with you.  We will use Cricut Design Space to make a list out of the books we’ve read this summer, then cut the design using the Cricut, and iron it on to our shirt using the heat press. Come prepared with your list of books and authors!

Shirts should be cotton, polyester, or a blend. Shirts cannot be rayon or any other material that would be ruined by a hot press.

For adults

Chair Yoga
Tuesdays, ongoing, 12:30 pm, virtual

Calm and center your mind while moving your body through intentional poses and sequences. Chair yoga can improve your flexibility, concentration, and strength, while boosting your mood, and reducing stress and joint strain. Now is a great time to start a practice or revisit one.

Scrabble Club
Tuesday, August 11, 1 pm, Main Library

Join us for a friendly game of Scrabble. All skill levels and ages are welcome.

Adult Improv
Tuesday, August 11, 7 pm, Maze Branch
Tuesday, August 25, 7 pm, virtual

Looking for a way to let your inner comedian run free? Want to improve your quick-thinking skills? Join us for a night of spontaneous comedy. All skill levels welcome. Warning: Hilarity will ensue.

Introduction to Salsa Dancing
Saturday, August 22, 11 am, Main Library

Looking for a fun, healthy activity to add to your lifestyle? Join DeSueño Dance for this workshop and get moving. Dance is an excellent way to relieve stress and connect socially through movement. Your dance instructor will be your guide as you begin learning to dance Salsa—one of the most popular dances in the world.

This workshop is designed to introduce participants to Salsa dancing. Participants will learn basic steps and movements to dance to various Salsa songs. DeSueño will teach movements that people will learn individually and not as partners. In Salsa, this is called footwork, shines, or pasitos. This is a footwork workshop, so no partners are necessary.

Sound Bath Meditation
Wednesday, August 26, 3 pm, Main Library

Looking for a way to reset and relax? Calm your mind and expand your awareness through a guided meditation sound bath. This soothing practice creates a sense of calm, peace, and relaxation, promoting good health and balanced energy. Surrounded by the gentle sounds and vibrations of crystal and Tibetan singing bowls, along with Tingsha bells, you’ll be guided to connect with your deeper self-consciousness. Some meditation sound baths may also incorporate soft singing, nature sounds, or rhythmic, abstract music.

For teens

Vibez Outside
Thursday, August 28, 4-5:30 pm, Main Library

Get outside and make the most of summer at the library! Middle and high school students are invited to hang out, relax, and have fun at our outdoor summer event featuring games, activities, music, and space to connect with friends. Whether you want to jump into friendly competitions or just enjoy the sunshine, this is a low-pressure, welcoming way to spend a summer afternoon at the library.

For kids

Tech Night for Kids: Explore What’s Inside a Computer
Wednesday, August 5, 4 pm, Main Library

This month kids will explore what’s inside a computer by taking one apart, learning about all the components, and putting it back together! Adult participation is needed for this program. For kids in grades K-2.

Seed Art Rocks!
Wednesday, August 12, 4 pm, Main Library

In this hands-on workshop, kids and their families will “shop” from botanical artist Shilin Hora’s Portable Seed Collection. Explore trays of carefully gathered & sorted seeds and botanical litter-fall. Use these free natural materials to design and assemble your own small biodegradable artworks. Experience the crossover between science and art through this natural history museum–style discovery. Get ready to see seeds, plant parts, and everyday nature in a whole new way! Best for families with kids ages 4-11.

Tech Night for Kids: Coding with Edison Robots
Thursday, August 13, 5:30 pm, Main Library

This month we’ll have fun coding Lego Compatible Robots, called Edison Robots, using Scratch programming! Best for grades 3-5.

Nature Crafting
Friday, August 14, 2 pm, Main Library

Imagine, create, and connect as we craft with items found in nature. 

Supported Gardening
Wednesday, August 19, 3:30 pm, Maze Branch

Gardening helps build strong bodies and minds! This season, we will be growing a Victory Garden with herbs and vegetables that we will harvest, turn some into snacks, and donate the rest to Beyond Hunger. Visual schedules and sensory supports will be provided. Every class, we will read a gardening book, tend the garden, and make a gluten and dairy-free recipe to try. Weather permitting. Designed for kids with disabilities age 3+ and their siblings.

Origami for Kids
Friday, August 21, 3:30 pm, Main Library

Come and grow your origami skills! We will provide paper and take you through a couple of patterns as a group. Best for kids ages 8-11.

Subscribe to emails
Get a card
Contact us