Chilling reads, thrilling tales & lots of Halloween fun

Collage of book covers.

Feel that chill in the air? Halloween season is here! Your Oak Park librarians are back with spine-tingling reads, creepy tales, and plenty of Halloween fun for all ages. Browse: Spine-chilling tales & scary stories More to explore HORROR FOR ADULTS HORROR FOR TEENS HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS Attend: Upcoming events ADULTS Wednesday Movie Matinee: Practical … Read more

5 ways to take charge of your health, with help from your library

Older adult sitting on a couch smiling and looking at a tablet

October is Health Literacy Month, a time to recognize the importance of making health information easy to understand and the healthcare system more accessible to navigate. Did you know that our library offers a range of resources and programs focused on health and wellness? Explore our collection of resources and find support for your health and … Read more

Celebrating Hispanic heritage

Collage of book covers

Traducir esta página al español Your public library is here to connect you with books, events, learning experiences, and online resources that celebrate Hispanic heritage and culture this month and all year long. On this page, you can: Titles we suggest More to explore Available in Spanish from your digital library Upcoming events For adults … Read more

Tech Tips: Fact-checking media

Person sits on a couch next to a fireplace and looks at a tablet computer.

We are living in a time with a never-ending stream of information and media that seeks our time and attention. How can you know what is true, what is false, and what is simply taken out of context? It is up to you to fact-check the information you consume, which means taking time to go … Read more

Have fun & save money with a library card

Person shows off their T-shirt that says "Having fun isn't hard when you've got a library card" while standing outside the Main Library.

By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Folks have said that their library card is the most valuable card in their wallet. Okay, former First Lady Laura Bush (a former librarian!) is generally attributed with saying this, but I bet a lot of people would agree. Why? Unlike those other cards you use to spend money, your library … Read more

Tech Tips: A guide to navigating Google search results

Google Search

Searching for information using search engines like Google can feel overwhelming at times. The results can seem cluttered, making it difficult to sort through. Search results may appear alongside a variety of ads, knowledge panels, featured snippets, and AI-generated overviews. This post will help identify some of the ways Google presents various information on a … Read more

The 2025 Booker Prize Longlist

By Collection Management Librarian Kathy The UK’s most prestigious literary award, The Booker Prize is awarded annually to the best novel of the year written in English and published in the UK or Ireland. Check out the longlist titles below—featuring all of the titles currently or soon to be available in the U.S.—and look for the shortlist … Read more

STEAM Discovery Kits: At-home learning & exploration for grade schoolers

A grouping of icons: a calculator, gear, paintbrush and paint palette, beaker, computer, and tablet

By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam At the Oak Park Public Library, we are always looking for ways to foster learning experiences for children who we serve. We have developed a sizable collection of Discovery Kits, which are filled with everything you need to foster the kinds of exploratory, hands-on experiences that are inherent in STEAM … Read more

Disability Pride Month: Building community, with a side of ice cream

Children making buttons and fidgets and a cup of ice cream.

We had such a fun month of intergenerational disability pride! Thanks to all who participated, collaborated, and supported our events this July and gave us feedback for next year. See just a few of this year’s highlights below, plus: 3rd Annual Disability Pride March & Rally We made signs with messages like “We celebrate our … Read more

Celebrity book club round-up, summer 2025

Text 'Read with the stars' on a background of sparkling stars with a book collage above

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná 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, even if we’re not together in person. Other celebrities who love … Read more

Watch now: ‘Life of a Book’

Life of a Book

How do you think a book gets to the shelf in a library? Where does it go after that? We’ve got a video to answer these and other questions, thanks to our Collections Services Team members who do the work! A tell-all tale In this tell-all tale of mystery and wonder, Supervising Librarian Maya Conde-Kalmijn and colleagues will … Read more

Tabletop roleplaying games: Activities for grade schoolers

Have you ever wished you could explore the worlds of your favorite characters? Do you dream of running off on a grand adventure with your friends by your side? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then you might want to try tabletop roleplaying at your next game night.  I am a huge … Read more

Learn for the fun of it

Develop a new skill, dive deep into a hobby you love, or expand your knowledge on a topic you’ve always wanted to explore with these books our librarians love. Check out the curated titles below, plus more to explore in your digital library and upcoming events where you can expand your knowledge, make, and create. … Read more

Opioid awareness: Take a pouch, save a life & meet community partners in the Main Library Idea Box

Public Safety employee holding a pouch containing naloxone and a bookmark with instructions

In August, local organizations will host the educational exhibit “Understanding Opioids: Awareness, Support, and Hope” in the Main Library Idea Box, in honor of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31. Additionally, we want to make our community aware that, all year, the Main Library offers life-saving resources just inside the front entrance. Since March … Read more

Disability Pride books, a display & supported events

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here to connect you with books, learning experiences, events, and online resources that celebrate people with disabilities and disability as an identity in July and all year long. On this page, you can: What is Disability Pride Month? Disability Pride celebrates people with disabilities and disability as an identity, honoring the … Read more

How to get free passes & discounted admission to museums & cultural attractions

Person riding a bike in front of a museum

Summer has arrived, and it’s time to get out and see what our beautiful state has to offer. Your Oak Park library card provides instant access to discounted admission and other deals through Museum Adventure Pass and Explore More Illinois. Each program offers different attractions and offers that you can learn more about below! Museum … Read more

44 things to do with your little ones this summer

Illustration of animal families enjoying lemonade in the park in summer

There is so much to do and explore during the summer! Together with the Collaboration for Early Childhood, we’ve put together a collection of activities and free, fun, local community events happening all summer long—especially for families with young children. Take advantage of this beautiful season and drink in the sunshine and long days with … Read more