By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam
Summer is here, and so is this year’s summer reading program: Oceans of Possibilities!
The program runs all summer long, June 1-August 30. Here at the Oak Park Library, we are so excited about all the possibilities that the summer reading program provides for kids and families.
Everyone is encouraged to read & all reading is good reading
You can read picture books, chapter books, graphic novels, magazines, ebooks, audiobooks—the possibilities are endless!
You can come into the library to browse our large collection of children’s books, such as:
- Picture books, like We Are Water Protectors and Shark Lady;
- Audiobooks like Beyond the Pond;
- Playaways—which are great for road trips—like Escape From Mr. Limoncello’s Library;
- And check out our recommended reading lists featuring titles vetted by Oak Park’s children’s librarians »
Explore your digital library
If you can’t come into the library, you can access the library from anywhere with your Oak Park library card and PIN!
Media on Demand & Libby
The library’s largest and most popular collection of ebooks and audiobooks is an excellent source for fantastic reading this summer. Check out ebooks like Shine on Luz Veliz or digital audiobooks like Amira’s Picture Day. You can even check out magazines through Media on Demand/Libby, like Highlights, High Five, or National Geographic Little Kids.
Hoopla
You also can check out ebooks and digital audiobooks on Hoopla, like the graphic novel, Secrets of Camp Whatever or the Wings of Fire fictional novel series.
Flipster
Flipster is a fantastic resource for magazines. Kids and families can access issues of Cricket and Parents magazines, as well as magazines covering topics such as cooking, fashion, travel, entertainment, news, politics, and plenty more!
Try some fun activities
Along with reading, everyone is encouraged to participate in fun activities this summer.
Dive into a new topic with activities curated by some of your favorite librarians
- Learn more about monarch butterflies and the milkweed seeds that you may have planted last year in the Year of the Monarch.
- Explore different types of music like salsa with Mr. Jose.
- Discover art with Ms. Genevieve’s list of virtual art.
- Check out some of the great gender identity resources that Mr. Hal has curated.
- Try some of Miss Shelley’s engineering activities.
- Check out our amazing collection of multicultural artifacts and Miss Juanta’s videos about them.
Get outside
- Use chalk to spread colorful joy around your neighborhood.
- Go on a sensory meditation nature walk and talk.
- Have a picnic in one of Oak Park’s beautiful parks.
- Visit the Maze Branch’s sensory garden.
Attend a program
Register for one of the many programs that we will be having at the library this summer for kids:
- Tech Wednesday programs like Code A Robot for ages 5-8 and Build a Brushbot for ages 9-12.
- Upcycle programs like making an ocean-themed planter from recycled plastic containers.
Try some ocean-themed activities
With this year’s Oceans of Possibilities theme, try doing some ocean-themed yoga poses, create an ocean in a bottle, and make an origami fish or sea creature. Did you know that The Continental Divide runs through Oak Park? Learn what this means for our water »
There are so many possibilities! We can’t wait to get started!
About Eileen
Eileen Saam is a children’s digital learning librarian who loves discovering new things, learning from others, and sharing with children the joy and wonder of books. One of her favorite things to do at the library is to help children, families, and teachers find books and digital resources that delight and inspire them.
