By Older Adult Services Librarian Claire Steiner
Connecting with the community even once a week is great for the body and mind. Library and community programs offer an easy and affordable way to stay connected and meet new people. Take advantage of the free and low-cost programs Oak Park has to offer this fall.
1. Older Adults Coffee Hour
Join us on the first Friday of each month, 9:30-11 am, at the Main Library. This is a great opportunity to grab a coffee and chat with community members. Next meet-up is September 5.
2. Wednesday Matinee Films Series
A different movie is selected every Wednesday, 1-3 pm, for free viewing in the Main Library Veterans Room. While a movie might not be the best place to socialize, it is a great way to get out of the house each week. Upcoming films include:
- August 20: Knives Out
- August 27: The Breakfast Club
- September 3: Casino Royale
- September 10: In the Heights
3. Book discussions
Our library book discussions bring people together who already have something in common to talk about—the book they just read! We have regular library-led book discussions for both nonfiction and fiction genres. Books for each discussion can be picked up behind the front desk at the Main Library.
- Crime & Coffee talks history and crime with fellow true crime lovers over a hot cup of coffee and meets bimonthly on the third Saturday at 3 pm. Next discussion: October 18: The Wager: A Tale of Shipwreck, Mutiny, and Murder.
- Tea and Terror: Our newest bimonthly discussion features horror titles and hot tea. Next discussion: September 20: A House of Bone and Rain.
- Latine Author Book Café discusses works written by Latine authors (Spanish-language copies will be made available when possible) and meets monthly on the second Tuesday at 6 pm. Next discussion: September 9: Catalina.
- Earth Lounge explores the curiosities and complexities of nature, environmentalism, and sustainability, and meets bimonthly on the fourth Wednesday at 6 pm. Next discussion: September 17: How Far the Light Reaches: A Life in Ten Sea Creatures.
- Otherworldly Reads alternates between science fiction and fantasy literature and meets bimonthly on the second Thursday at 6 pm. Next discussion: September 11: Shigidi and the Brass Head of Obalufon.
- Words on Wednesday inspires small group conversation about a wide range of fiction and nonfiction titles and meet monthly on the third Wednesday at 1 pm. Next discussion: August 20: The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating.
4. Activities from the Park District of Oak Park & the Oak Park Township
The Oak Park Park District and Oak Park Township offer a range of fun activities throughout the year. Their upcoming programs are available on their websites. Here are a few that might pique your interest!
Park District of Oak Park (PDOP)
Games! Current offerings include mahjong, bridge, and Scrabble. Drop-ins are welcome on any of the game days.
Walking Club: Staying active doesn’t have to be a chore. Join the walking club to get your steps in while keeping in touch with friends and neighbors. Meet up with fellow walkers at 3 pm on Wednesdays at Scoville Park.
Lifelong Learning programs through the PDOP are geared towards anyone 50+ living in Oak Park or River Forest. They provide a wide range of free and low-cost programs for creative and recreational pursuits in social environments. For more information, find a copy of the PDOP fall/winter program guide or check online for a list of upcoming Lifelong Learning programs.
Oak Park Township Senior Services
Around the corner from our library is another great place to hang out and meet folks: the Oak Park Township Senior Services building at 130 S. Oak Park Ave. They offer a lunch program Monday through Friday, 11 am-1 pm, for anyone ages 60+, with a suggested donation of $1.50 for diners. There, you will find a lunchroom full of community members chatting and laughing as they eat together.
In addition to the lunch program, check the Oak Park Township Senior Services website for information on other upcoming events. They regularly host events like game days, bingo, line dancing, tai chi, and fit and strong classes. The building is also a great place to find out about other services available in the area for older adults, such as transportation assistance, end-of-life planning, and minor home repair.
Need a ride?
Signing up for fun programs is easy, but transportation can be a roadblock to building connections. The Oak Park Township knows that and has several options for older adults in the community, including free transportation, taxi coupons, and reduced-fare RTA fare cards. Find out more about Oak Park Township transportation online or call 708.383.8060.
About Claire
Claire is the Older Adult Services Librarian. On Friday mornings, you can find her cruising around delivering books for Home Delivery. Claire loves a good podcast, awesome finds at the thrift store, and Friday happy hour.