Restorative Practices Conference

The Oak Park Public Library’s 5th Annual Restorative Practices Conference delved into the transformative power of restorative practices in building compassionate and inclusive communities. This conference took place on January 19-20, 2024.Friday schedule | Saturday schedule Day 1: Friday, January 19, Conference schedule Hear how restorative practices impact our library community and our surrounding communities. In … Read more

Third Annual Virtual Restorative Justice Conference

Restorative Justice Conference 2019 Community Committee

The Medicine Wheel: Balancing Humanity Oak Park’s third annual Restorative Justice Conference has been taking place virtually all October, and it wraps up on Friday, October 30. This year’s theme is The Medicine Wheel: Balancing Humanity. The goal has been to provide the community with strategies to cope in these extreme times. “2020 has been … Read more

October is Health Literacy Month

Because an informed community is a healthier community

Observed each October, Health Literacy Month highlights the importance of making health information easy to understand. Learn more at healthliteracymonth.org » Want to take charge of your health? Your public library can help you access trusted health information through online resources, books, virtual programs, and more. Learn more about health and wellness at your library » … Read more

New mentorship programs for youth

Two students in new mentoring program at the library

Our library’s vision is to empower every voice in our community, and our Middle & High School Services Team is doing just that for students this year. We’re excited to offer three new ways for youth in grades 6-12 to build relationships, learn with their peers and mentors, and grow in their schoolwork, job readiness, … Read more

Equity & Anti-Racism Timeline

This timeline below has the most recent news at the bottom. Scroll down to see how the library’s journey has evolved over the last decade.

Equity & Anti-Racism in the Workplace Policy

Library Board approved September 26, 2023. Purpose This policy supports Oak Park Public Library’s efforts to become an equitable and anti-racist organization. We understand the need to create an environment with accountability for what we do within our work and public service environment. Thus, in 2021, the Board of Library Trustees approved the library’s first … Read more

February 2, 2024: Statement from the Board of Library Trustees

The Board of Library Trustees acknowledges there have been multiple examples of damage caused to the Oak Park area community, to our community partners, and to members of the Oak Park Public Library staff, and that we have much work to do to rebuild the broken trust. We apologize for the relationships that have been … Read more

Board of Library Trustees

Read library board bylaws and contact all elected library trustees at board@oppl.org. Search for an executive director At its June 25 regular meeting, the Oak Park Public Library Board of Trustees voted to engage the professional search firm of Koya Partners to conduct a national search for the library’s next executive director. Read the complete June 27 … Read more

Anti-Bullying Policy

Library Board approved October 17, 2023. Introduction The Oak Park Public Library works to create a safe and civil environment that is necessary for staff members to be happy, well, successful, and productive. Bullying, like other disruptive or violent behaviors, interferes with a staff member’s ability to positively contribute to the library on a day-to-day … Read more