It started as a way to celebrate the black experience all year long, and not just during Black History Month. Now, almost 36 months later, the library’s More Than a Month series kicks off its fourth year with an expanded outlook and programs that promote conversation and year-round enrichment for all. ‘It’s both/and’ More Than … Read more
Wondering what to read next? We’ve got you covered! Check out Oak Park’s “Best of 2018,” a curated selection of suggested reads for kids, teens, and adults, selected by our expert librarians! ADULTS | TEENS | KIDS Adults In case you missed it Noteworthy novels For armchair sleuths Love stories For history lovers Out-of-this-world tales … Read more
A People’s History of Chicago was at the center of our One Book, One Oak Park series in 2018. In 77 poems, author Kevin Coval traces the city’s history through often untold perspectives, including African-American, Latinx, LGBTQ, and working-class experiences. Find it in the catalog » Poems that bridge time and place One thread running … Read more
Wondering what to read next? We’ve got you covered! Based on last month’s checkouts, Oak Parkers are loving the titles listed below! Fiction Urban Fiction World Literature Still waiting on hold for a title? Don’t forget to check the Hot Picks shelves at any library location to pick up copies of popular titles … Read more
Based on last month’s checkouts, you’re loving Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward. What we suggest If you’ve already read and loved these titles or you’re still waiting on hold for a copy, check out these diverse readalike suggestions curated by our … Read more
UPDATE 10/24/18: The results are in! To Kill a Mockingbird was voted by viewers as America’s best-loved novel in The Great American Read. See all the results » Are you reading and watching? PBS’s The Great American Read is an eight-part series celebrating the power of reading and exploring 100 of America’s best-loved novels. Chosen through a … Read more
As we head into fall and a new school year, we reflect on our visit with poet Kevin Coval, author of this summer’s One Book, One Oak Park selection. Coval joined us for an evening at the Main Library in June to read from his collection of poetry, A People’s History of Chicago, which honors the … Read more
“When children cannot find themselves reflected in the books they read … they learn a powerful lesson about how they are devalued in the society of which they are a part.” —Rudine Sims Bishop, “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” (1990) Bridging diversity gaps This spring, a new Children’s Services task force with diverse staff … Read more
The following One View, written by library Deputy Director Jim Madigan, was published in the May 23 edition of the Wednesday Journal. This past Christmas I was lucky enough to receive A People’s History of Chicago, a collection of poems by Kevin Coval. As I read through the book I found myself wanting to share poems with … Read more
