By Health & Wellness Specialist Claire Ong
Looking for ways to stay cool, engaged, and connected to neighbors and friends this summer? We’ve got you covered at the library and at home.
The library hosts movie screenings, art exhibits, and workshops, and offers devices and books for checkout, of course! Continue below to learn more.
Join the summer reading fun
Get up a leg up on summer reading!
1. Check out books for BIPOC Mental Health Awareness Month
Explore our title suggestions—including:
- The Black Woman’s Guide to Coping With Stress by Cheryl L. Woods Giscombé
- Self-Care for Latinas by Rachel Reichard
- Permission to Come Home by Jenny T. Wang
Then log your reading in Beanstack!
Watch films
Here are just a few of the ways you can use your library to enjoy movies, documentaries, and TV shows.
2. Watch a Wednesday Matinee
Join us each Wednesday for an afternoon film screening in the Veterans Room at the Main Library! This month, we are featuring films to celebrate Disability Pride Month.
3. Stream with Kanopy
Can’t make it to the library? Stream films with your Oak Park library card from Kanopy or Kanopy Kids.
4. Check out a streaming device from the Library of Things
Did you know you can use your Oak Park library card to check out an adult Roku streaming player or a kids Roku streaming player from the Library of Things? You can!
Enjoy art
Love art? We have you covered with two art exhibits on display this month.
5. View art at the Maze Branch Library
Explore the work of artist Julie Simon in Tiny Clay Books (pictured above, center), through July 31.
6. See an exhibit on display at the Main Library
View works by artist Caitlin Cass in Suffrage Song, July 23–August 24 at the Main Library.
Get creative
Below are just a few ways to inspire your artistic imagination!
7. Create inside the Creative Studio (pictured above, right)
- Make vinyl decals in our Cricut Workshop and design an engraved wooden coaster in our Laser Cutter Workshop.
- Want to create your own calm? Make your own meditation track in our Audio Booth.
8. Get inspired with Creativebug
With Creativebug and your Oak Park library card, access any, or all of, the following instructional videos: Urban Sketching 101, Drawing and Illustration Basics, and Creative Sketchbooking.
About Claire
Health and Wellness Specialist Claire believes creativity is essential to well-being. Her reading tastes vary with the seasons, and when not working through her pile of books, she is on a mission to traverse the world.
