News & Stories

Two girls selecting books from the Book Bike

Pop-up library in the parks

Share books, songs, and play in our parks Weather permitting, come check out books in Oak Park parks, engaging with neighbors, and signing up for ...
No catalog, account access

No catalog, account access April 30, May 1

The library catalog, your individual account, and all digital collections and online resources will be unavailable on Monday, April 30, and Tuesday, May 1. The ...
/ Announcements
Opting for a staycation this spring break? Join us for events and activities at your library while school is out for Oak Park Elementary School District 97 March 26-31. Browse all Kids & Families events >American Girl Mystery EventMonday, March 26, 2–3:30 pm, Dole Branch. Decipher the clues and interact with Multicultural Collection artifacts relating to the historical dolls to solve the mystery. Get ready to explore history, learn about Victory Gardens with Sugar Beet Schoolhouse, and more! Best for ages 5+. Dress-up encouraged. Please note: Dole Branch will be open during the hours of this event for event attendees only.Kids’ Improv WorkshopMonday, March 26, 6:30–7:30 pm, Maze Branch. Join us for fun and games that are sure to test your quick-thinking skills. Grades 1–4.Spring Break CraftingLaugh, have fun, and create! Ages 4+.Tuesday, March 27, 2–3 pm, Maze BranchThursday, March 29, 2–3 pm, Dole BranchFilm Screening: Despicable Me 3Wednesday, March 28, 2–4 pm, Main Library Storytime Room. After he is fired from the Anti-Villain League for failing to take down Balthazar Bratt, the latest bad guy to threaten humanity, Gru finds himself in the midst of a major identity crisis. But when a mysterious stranger shows up to inform Gru that he has a long-lost twin brother—a brother who desperately wishes to follow in his twin's despicable footsteps—one former super-villain will rediscover just how good it feels to be bad. (PG, 90 minutes)More Than a Mic: Transgender Day of VisibilityWednesday, March 28, 5–7 pm, Main Library Veterans Room. Speak out against transphobia and oppression through performance and visual art at this spoken-word freestyle open mic, part of the library's More Than a Month series.

Spring break at your library

Opting for a staycation this spring break? Join us for events and activities at your library while school is out for Oak Park Elementary School ...
/ Kids, Learn & Connect, Teens
Raising a brave generation: embracerace.org

Diversity, inclusion & equity in storytime

Early childhood literacy includes preparing our community’s babies, toddlers, and preschoolers to arrive “ready to learn” come kindergarten. As part of her intentional work to ...
Elliott, 1,000 Books Finisher

Congrats on completing 1,000 Books, Elliott!

At 19-months-old Elliott’s house, reading is definitely a priority! Here, Elliott poses for his celebratory “first finisher” photo, part of his formal recognition as the ...
/ Early Learners & Storytimes, Kids
Adult Education and Career Services Librarian Rashmi Swain poses with two recent graduates of Housing Forward’s Career Passport program.

Securing new jobs

Adult Education and Career Services Librarian Rashmi Swainposes with two recent graduates of Housing Forward’s CareerPassport program. As a primary school educator in India and ...
/ Career Services, Financial Learning
You Belong at Your Library

You belong at your library

In 2017, your public library: Re-engaged more than 1,700 Oak Park Public Library cardholders since eliminating fines for overdue materials.Actively listened and learned from hundreds ...
/ Impact
Books displayed on a table: "Crown: Ode to a Fresh Cut," "Little Fox in the Forest," and "Windows."

Our picks for best children’s titles 2018

Each year, our Children's Services team loves to reflect (and vote!) on their personal picks for best titles in the world of children's literature. The ...