Two students and an adult with video equipment in the library.

Lights, Camera, Community: ‘Young people are our now’

In Lights, Camera, Community, a weekly after-school program at the Main Library, high school students have been learning the basics of video production and putting their new skills into practice. Earlier this year, students worked together to film, edit, and … Read more

Headshot of Shalonda Lane.

Shalonda Lane, Director of Equity & Anti-Racism

Shalonda Lane is the library’s new Director of Equity & Anti-Racism. She brings over a decade of experience advancing equity through policy, programming, and community engagement across higher education and local government. Most recently, she served as the Collective Impact … Read more

Illustration of people of all ages outside of a library with a banner that says Find Your Joy.

National Library Week

The American Library Association’s National Library Week is April 19–25, 2026, with the theme “Find Your Joy.” Award-winning librarian, author, and new host of the children’s program Reading Rainbow, Mychal Threets is the 2026 Honorary Chair of National Library Week. … Read more

A selection of poetry book covers suggested below with the text April is National Poetry Month.

National Poetry Month

April is National Poetry Month! And whether you love poetry or are looking to try something new, we hope you’ll find a new favorite poem (or two!) in these lists of new titles for all ages, curated by your Oak … Read more

Collage of book covers.

Earth Month at your library

Earth Day is April 22, and this year’s theme is Our Power, Our Planet. The library offers events, information, and resources focused on sustainability and environmental issues all year. In April, we continue to learn, take action, and collaborate on … Read more

Text reading Hoopla BingePass in front of graphics representing various BingePasses listed below.

BingePass gives you 7 days of unlimited streaming

With hoopla‘s BingePass and your Oak Park library card, you can get unlimited streaming for seven days with a single borrow! Let’s get started… How do I use hoopla’s BingePass? Watch the video below for an overview. For more detailed … Read more

Martin Luther King Jr. leaning on a podium at a press conference, alongside a collage of book covers

Honoring MLK Day: Books, a display & resources

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Monday, January 19), all library buildings will be closed. We’ve gathered together title suggestions, online resources, and more to help you celebrate the life and legacy of one of the best-known leaders of the … Read more

Collage of book covers surrounded by sparkling gold stars

Celebrity book club round-up, January 2026

Since Oprah’s first book club pick in 1996, we have been reading as the celebrities do, falling in love with, or hating, characters with our fellow book club readers. Book clubs offer an opportunity to be in community with others, … Read more

Young child using laptop while parents look on

Educational app recommendations for preschoolers

Experts at the Educational Development Center say that digital media can help young children make sense of their world, especially when screen time is facilitated and guided by parents or caregivers.  Below, you will find screen time guidelines for parents … Read more

Tech Tips: How to translate webpages

Traducir al español | Przetłumacz na polskiBy John Gargiulo, Supervising Librarian of Creative Technology (translated by Oak Park Public Library staff) Have you ever tried to translate a webpage from one language to another? While some webpages provide a button to switch between … Read more

A lantern with a glowing candle inside sitting in the snow under a tree

Holidays Around the World

From Diwali, Christmas, and Hanukkah celebrations to the observance of the winter solstice, Oak Park library staff love sharing their own winter holiday traditions with you in our annual Holidays Around the World! In addition to stories, videos, and photos, … Read more

Creativebug logo on top of a table with a floral watercolor and painting supplies

Tech Tips: How to use Creativebug

Whether you are new to crafting or a seasoned master crafter, there is something for everyone on Creativebug. An inspirational resource for DIY, crafters, and makers, Creativebug features more than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized … Read more

Gift Guide 2025 text alongside two gift boxes wrapped in white and gold paper with ribbons.

Gift Guide 2025

Looking for gift ideas for this holiday season? Might we suggest a great book? Our collection management librarians have curated a range of excellent gift ideas for the book, movie, TV, or music lover in your life. Adults | Teens … Read more

Collage of books.

Celebrating Native American heritage

Oak Park Public Library acknowledges that Oak Park is situated on the ancestral land of the Bodewamiadkiwen (Potawatomi), Myaamia (Miami), Oceti Sakowin, Kiikaapoi (Kickapoo), and Peoria. We honor them and thank them for their stewardship of this land. Source: native-land.ca Your public … Read more