Your public library is here to connect you with books, online resources, and learning experiences that celebrate Arab American history and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can:
- Browse: Title suggestions for all ages.
- Attend: A National Arab American Heritage Month Celebration.
- Celebrate: Ramadan with books and a craft and a special Idea Box display at the Main Library.
- Explore: Online resources for self-paced learning (with your Oak Park library card and PIN).
The month of April is recognized as Arab American Heritage Month in Illinois and the U.S.
Title suggestions for all ages
- More for kids: More picture and chapter books
- From your digital library: Ebooks, digital audiobooks, movies, and more on Hoopla and films and documentaries on Kanopy
Celebration event
National Arab American Heritage Month Celebration - Hafla
Saturday, April 13, 1-3:30 pm, Main Library Veterans Room
Please join the Oak Park Public Library and our community partners in Celebrating Arab American Heritage month! A vibrant cultural program aimed at fostering understanding, appreciation, and celebration of Arab American heritage. Through a rich tapestry, food sampling, art, workshops, music, and discussions, participants will immerse themselves in the diverse and vibrant cultures of Arab Americans. Register now »
Collaborators include Dima Ali, Founder of Being Different Workshops, Oak Park Neighbors for Peace in Palestine/Israel, CJPIP (Committee for a Justice Peace in Palestine/Israel), Oak Park and River Forest MENA Student Club, and UIC Arab American Cultural Center.
Celebrating Ramadan
Ramadan Around the World!
Through Thursday, April 11, Main Library Idea Box
Throughout the month of Ramadan, view a beautiful collection of what brings together Muslims from different parts of the world, presented in collaboration with Oak Parker Dima Ali, on display in the windows of the Main Library Idea Box. Learn more »
Ramadan Read Aloud & Craft
Sunday, April 7, 2-3 pm, Main Library Lobby Community Space
Join us as we celebrate Ramadan with picture books and a craft! Ramadan is a month-long observance when Muslims all over the world spend a month fasting and coming together as a community. The purpose of the month is to focus on doing good deeds such as giving charity, fasting, and praying. During this time, Muslims focus on gratitude, sharing, empathy, compassion, generosity, and selflessness. Register now »
Subscription-based resources that Google can’t offer
Sign in with your Oak Park library card and PIN:
For kids
- PebbleGo (preschool-grades 3) and PebbleGo Next (grades 3-5): Check out the Social Studies module to explore.
- World Book Student (elementary & middle schoolers): Explore a collection of articles, tables, and multimedia of the world, and find maps showing political, population, economic, and meteorological information in the World Resources section.
Language learning
- Mango Languages: Reach conversational proficiency in Arabic. Language options include Arabic (Egyptian), Arabic (Iraqi), Arabic (Levantine), and Arabic (Modern Standard).
Newspapers & magazines
- Global Newsstream: Get full-text access to newspapers, news wires, websites, and blogs from leading publishers throughout the Middle East region. From the GlobalNewsstream front page, select "International Newsstream" and then "Middle East & African Newsstream."
- Muslim Journal [Chicago]: Read current full-text issues of the publication.
- PressReader: Search by language or country to find publications available in Arabic and/or from Arab countries.
