How to watch movies with your library card

Popular this month on Kanopy collection displayed on a flat screen TV in someone's home

Your Oak Park library card is your key to accessing thousands of movies, documentaries, TV shows, and more. Below, find three ways you can use your card to watch films: 1. Stream on Kanopy Part of your digital library, Kanopy is a collection of more than 30,000 feature films, documentaries, educational videos, and TV shows. … Read more

BingePass gives you 7 days of unlimited streaming

New! Hoopla BingePass with an icon featuring two tickets on a starbust background

With hoopla‘s new 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 but please note that this video shows how to access BingePass using an iPhone. For instructions on … Read more

Tech Tips: How to use Consumer Reports

Two older adults laughing while using a laptop and holding a credit card

Are you thinking about buying a new car, appliance, gadget, or literally anything else, but feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start? Consumer Reports is designed to help you navigate all of the options and narrow down products based on consumer tests and reviews. Their goal is to create a fair and just marketplace … Read more

Need help with school research projects? Library resources to the rescue: National Geographic Kids (Part 1)

Two grade school students using a laptop to study outside

By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam If you have a school project and need to find a variety of sources for your research, your library is here to the rescue! On the Homework Help for Kids page, you can access many subscription-based resources with your Oak Park library card and PIN. One valuable resource available to … Read more

Tech Tips: How to use the SWAN Libraries + app

SWAN Libraries + app displayed on a smart phone screen with shelves of books in the background

Did you know that there is an app you can use to search for library materials, place holds, and manage your checkouts all in one place? The SWAN Libraries + app makes finding and requesting items easy.  Let’s review a few basics of how to use the SWAN Libraries + app Install the app Download … Read more

Adventure begins at your library: Digital audiobooks & adult summer reading

Graphics of a movie projector, book, conversation bubbles, and headphones and a beachy background

June is Audiobook Appreciation Month It seems like we have a month and/or week to celebrate just about everything these days. This month is Audiobook Appreciation Month, which covers one of my favorite pastimes. I listen to audiobooks constantly—when I’m doing dishes, walking the dog, or drifting off to sleep (after setting a sleep timer on … Read more

Tech Tips: How to use Creativebug

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

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 design experts and artists. You can take a class on art, sewing, food techniques, knitting … Read more

Access news online for free with your library card

Robert Kelly and grandsons sit in chairs in the Main Library Children's Area

When Robert Kelly (pictured above with his grandsons) was working in the software industry, he subscribed widely to magazines and newspapers from around the country. “I like to be able to read a lot,” he told us. “Because there’s so much going on in the world, I like to have a variety of opinions.” After … Read more

September is #LibraryCardSignUpMonth

It's time to get your library card with icon of library card

Know an Oak Park neighbor, co-worker or educator—even a newborn—without a library card? Send them our way! Every Oak Park resident and Oak Park-based educator, daycare provider, and business owner can get complete access to public library services and resources. A card gives you full access to library services

Need help with school research projects? Library resources to the rescue! African-American History & American-Indian History (Part 3)

Three kids studying on a laptop

By Eileen Saam, Children’s Librarian  As school projects are assigned throughout the year, know that your library is here to help! In addition to books, your Oak Park library card gives you access to a number of subscription-based resources that you can use to help you with your research. In my previous posts in this series, … Read more

Need help with school research projects? Library resources to the rescue: AtoZ Maps & AtoZ World Culture (Part 2)

Kid raising hands in triumph while working on a laptop with shelves filled with books in the background

By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam As mentioned in my first post in this series, Google is a great resource of information and can be a useful first source when researching for school projects. But did you know that there are many subscription-based library resources that can be accessed online with your Oak Park library card? … Read more

‘Anxious People’: Waiting for it? Loved it? Try these titles!

Anxious People book cover on tablet

I love how much our community uses the library. Sometimes that means waiting for the hottest titles. Don’t fret! I can help you find a similar reading experience to THAT book you are waiting for or that you finally read and loved.  Anxious People read-alikes Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriarty Why you should try … Read more

‘The Vanishing Half’: Waiting for it? Loved it? Try these titles!

The Vanishing Half book cover with leaf background

I love how much our community uses the library. Sometimes that means waiting for the hottest titles. Don’t fret! I can help you find a similar reading experience to THAT book you are waiting for or that you finally read and loved.  The Vanishing Half read-alikes The Complete Fiction of Nella Larsen by Nella Larsen … Read more

Cover stories: Romance novels with illustrated covers to pique your interest

Book covers: Red, White & Royal Blue, The Bride Test, Something to Talk About, Royal Holiday, Love Her or Lose Her, Girl Gone Viral

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Illustrated covers have become a trend for contemporary romance novels. They’re cute, expressive, and can be drawn to fit the mood and style of the author and story. In honor of International Kissing Day, here are some romance novels with illustrated covers. Check out the kiss-o-meter to learn more about … Read more

Relevant reads: Pandemic novels & short stories 2020

Illustration of people wearing surgical face masks

From the plague to the 1918 influenza to now, pandemics have been unwelcome members of society. Touching everyone and everything, global sickness and the changes we have to make to get through makes us anxious and sends us looking for an escape. No wonder we turn to fiction that explores pandemics and society’s response. While … Read more

‘My Dark Vanessa’: Waiting for it? Loved it? Try these titles!

My Dark Vanessa ebook on tablet

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná I love how much our community uses the library. Sometimes that means waiting for the hottest titles. Don’t fret! I can help you find a similar reading experience to THAT book you are waiting for or that you finally read and loved. My Dark Vanessa readalikes My Dark Vanessa, like … Read more

The Great Courses: Lifelong learning & enrichment through audio and video

Aimed at lifelong learners, The Great Courses is a series of college-level courses designed to deliver high-quality learning experiences outside of a lecture hall. And you can get them on demand through your digital library! Through digital audio and video, you can pursue lifelong learning and personal enrichment in science, history, literature, religion, and more, … Read more