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

Connecting you to Black history, then & now

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here with books, resources, and experiences that can help us connect and celebrate Black history and culture. Browse titles we suggest More to explore View exhibits Art Exhibit: Stories My Camera Tells by Howard SimmonsThrough February 22, Main Library Gallery Still photography tells its stories through captured moments in time. Stories told with … Read more

How to get started with Little Pim, a language learning app for kids (ages 0-6)

Child watching LIttle Pim video featuring a cartoon panda on laptop screen

Introducing Little Pim, a new way for kids ages 0-6 to have fun while learning a new language! To get started, choose from 12 languages—Arabic, Chinese (Mandarin), English, French, German, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. A series of short, engaging videos voiced by native speakers will help kids to learn the new … Read more

29 things to do with little ones this winter

Illustrated animals listening to a live performance and reading books inside while snow can be seen through the windows

The days may be short, but there are so many ways to make the most of each one! Your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood have collected activities, events, and more for you and your little ones to get out and explore this winter season. Activities Storytimes Places Events

Best of 2024: Kids & picture books

Best of 2024: Kids & Picture Books

Oak Park’s Best of 2024 is back! See our kids and picture books staff favorites on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Thriller, graphic novel, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction |Teen fiction & nonfiction | Kids books | Picture books | Movies & TV shows | Music Kids books Daggers of Ire by J.C. Cervantes … Read more

Holidays Around the World

A lantern with a glowing candle inside sitting in the snow under a tree

From Diwali, Christmas, and Hanukkah celebrations to the observance of the winter solstice, Oak Park library staff love sharing their own winter holiday traditions with you in our annual Holidays Around the World! In addition to stories, videos, and photos, you’ll find related music, games, stories, and recipes for families to explore. Click the play … Read more

Early Bird Learning videos: A virtual tutorial for babies, toddlers & preschoolers

Librarian Shelley smiling while wearing a winter coat and ear muffs

The world changes in winter: We get cozy and snuggly, animals shift their behavior, and trees and flowers wait for spring. There are also a lot of family holidays, which can be joyful and stressful at the same time! Let’s sing some seasonal songs, practice self-regulation, and get ready for fun learning together. Explore the … Read more

Gift Guide 2024

Gift Guide 2024 text with a gold gift box surrounded by gold bows and gold leaves

Looking for gift ideas for this holiday season? Might we suggest a great book? Our collection management librarians have gathered some of their favorite recently published titles that are sure to engage, educate, and inspire people of all ages! Adults | Teens & kids Adults: for the… Teens & kids: for the…

Chilling reads, thrilling tales & lots of Halloween fun

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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 from your digital library HORROR FOR ADULTS HORROR FOR TEENS HALLOWEEN FOR KIDS Attend: Upcoming events FOR ADULTS Wednesday … Read more

Sharing scary & not-so-scary stories: Videos & books for early learners

Two cartoon ghosts surrounded by a colorful Halloween candy

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris The sun is setting earlier, and nights are lasting longer. This is the time of year when our “Chills and Thrills” bin of picture books gets checked out the most, teachers take out stacks of Halloween books, and kids ask for mysteries and scary stories. Even I love to be … Read more

Hispanic Heritage books, events, videos & more

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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: This commemorative month (held September 15-October 15) was officially designated as Hispanic Heritage Month by the U.S. Congress in 1968. Learn more at … Read more

New year, new transitions! Videos & books for early learners

A graphic featuring an illustration of a schoolhouse with children coming down a slide built on the front and the text Welcome Back to School

By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Welcome to the -ber months: September, October, November, and December! Most people celebrate the start of a new year in January. Not me. I graduated more than ten years ago, but the start of the school year is still the start of my personal new year. For a lot of young … Read more

Learn for the fun of it: How-to, hobby & crafting at your library

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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 how-to books and resources our librarians love, plus upcoming events where you can expand your knowledge, make, and create. How-to books How-to resources from your digital library Browse how-to ebooks, … Read more

Disability Pride: Activities for early learners & info for caregivers

Miss Shelley, a brown-haired librarian, holding the What Happened to You book

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Every July, we come together to celebrate Disability Pride as a community! As a disabled librarian (neurodivergent and chronically ill), I love creating programs not only for disabled kids but celebrating us as well. When Miss Genevieve and I lead our Disability Understanding and Advocacy field trips for elementary kids, … Read more

Disability Pride books, a display & supported events

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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

Community Sensory Garden

Miss Eileen planting in the Accessible Community Garden

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris Did you know that 70% of disabled adults do not engage in community activities? The first time I heard this statistic it gave me pause. I see it with my disabled brother and his friends, but it’s hard to see it widely confirmed. It’s what inspired me to develop a … Read more

37 things to do with your little ones this summer

An illustration of worms working in a garden with two cats looking on and a rainbow in the background

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—especially for families with young children happening all summer long. Take advantage of this beautiful season and enjoy the sunshine and long days with your … Read more

Kids summer reading: Kids as young as 2 can join the fun!

Kids and pets reading under a blanket

By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Most people look at summer as a time to relax and have fun. For Children’s Services Librarians, it’s our busy season! We’ve spent the past few months preparing the summer reading program, and now it’s here! This summer, our theme is Adventure Begins at Your Library. Once again we are using … Read more

Celebrating Pride Month

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Your public library is here to connect you with books, learning experiences, events, and online resources that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community in June and all year long. On this page, you can: Browse titles we suggest Just for kids From your digital library Ebooks, audiobooks & movies Magazines *The Advocate is now part of Out magazine … Read more