Your public library is here to connect you with books, online resources, and learning experiences that celebrate Arab American history and culture all year long. On this page, you can:
- Browse: Title suggestions for all ages.
- Celebrate: Ramadan with books and a craft and a special Idea Box display at the Main Library, and a video about a fanoos, a lantern used during Ramadan.
- Explore: Online resources for self-paced learning (with your Oak Park library card and PIN).
The month of April was officially designated as Arab American Heritage Month in Illinois in December 2018. Read the proclamation »
Title suggestions for all ages
- More for kids: Check out even more picture and chapter books »
- From your digital library: Stream and download ebooks, digital audiobooks, movies, and more on Hoopla »
Celebrating Ramadan
View a display in the Main Library Idea Box curated by Community Member Dima Ali
Throughout the month of Ramadan, view a beautiful collection of what brings together Muslims from different parts of the world, presented by Oak Parker Dima Ali, on display in the windows of the Main Library Idea Box through April 28. Learn more »
Have a suggestion or an idea for a program or exhibit at the library? We want to hear it »
Attend the Celebrating Ramadan Read Aloud & Craft Hour
Sunday, April 10, 1-2 pm, Main Library Community Engagement Space. Join us as we celebrate Ramadan with 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 more good deeds such as giving charity, fasting, and praying. It is a time meant to focus on gratitude, sharing, empathy, compassion, generosity, and selflessness.
Learn about Fanoos
In this Virtual Learning & Fun for Kids video, Miss Juanta introduces Dima Ali, an Oak Park resident who is excited to tell you about her fanoos, a lantern used during Ramadan.
Watch more multicultural videos »
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.
