A new & improved catalog experience

SWAN beta test catalog

Update: Access to the classic catalog ends after Saturday, April 30, 2022. As an Oak Park library cardholder, you have access to more than 10 million items from 100+ area libraries through the library’s catalog. It’s this collaborative “resource sharing” that gives Oak Parkers—and all SWAN library users—more access, more choices, and more value when … Read more

Librarian Shelley Harris recognized for dedication to young people

Shelley Harris holds an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) board in the Maze Branch Community Sensory Garden

The Illinois Library Association (ILA) Youth Services Forum has awarded Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris with the 2021 Golden Ticket Award for her “outstanding local contribution” to young people through programs that “promote a love of literature and instill positive feelings about libraries.” Shelley’s “creativity, incredible work ethic, and commitment to serving young patrons and their … Read more

Susanne Fairfax appointed to Board of Library Trustees

Suzanne-Fairfax

In a unanimous vote, the Board of Library Trustees appointed Oak Park resident Susanne Fairfax to fill its current vacant seat. Fairfax is invited to the board’s July 24 strategic planning session. She will be formally installed as a trustee for the special two-year position at its July 27 regular meeting. ‘Ability to re-envision and … Read more

A presidential portrait artist’s earlier work is on permanent display at your library

Easter Realness #2

The Obama Portraits are now on display at the Art Institute of Chicago, through August 25. President Barack Obama’s official presidential portrait was painted by Kehinde Wiley. But did you know that an earlier work by Wiley is on display on the Main Library third floor, open to all to experience anytime the library is … Read more

Thank you for helping us envision your public library’s future

ThoughtExchange

Thank you to the 471 participants who shared their thoughts, and ranked the thoughts of others! Here’s a quick summary of total results, demographics of who responded, and a word cloud of the most mentioned phrases. Our next step is to identify common themes and details for moving ahead to help inform future plans. April … Read more

Meet Alex, our new Teen Services Librarian

Teen Services Librarian Alex Gutierrez

Joining our Teen Services team is Librarian Alexander Gutierrez! “I’ve always wanted to be a librarian and have the opportunity to work with youths because of their energy and optimism,” he says. His path from library volunteer to librarian Alex has been with the Oak Park Public Library since 2016, when he started as a … Read more

Our new manager of public safety asks, ‘How can I empower others?’

As our library’s approach to public safety has evolved over the past five years, library staff member Aaron Alonzo has grown along with it. He started at the library in 2017 in a part-time role, and has since worked to become a leader in the organization. This month, Alonzo was promoted to Manager of Public Safety. … 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