By Kristen Romanowski, Staff Writer & Editor Juanta Griffin was in third grade at Longfellow Elementary School when her teacher, Mrs. Simmons, turned her onto Eyes on the Prize. Griffin says it was this PBS series, which chronicled the civil rights movement from the perspective of ordinary people, that first opened her eyes and drove … Read more
As your public library, we are here for you and have compiled a list of library, local, and regional resources focusing on: Mental health and trauma assistance Gun violence Voting and legislation Misinformation Books and library resources Mental health & trauma assistance For all ages Managing distress in the aftermath of a shooting from the … Read more
By Eileen Saam, Children’s Librarian We are so excited to partner with Oak Park Elementary School District 97 and the Oak Park Education Foundation to bring you STEAM Fest 2023! On Thursday, March 2, families with students in grades K-8 are invited to come to the Oak Park Public Library to experience the wide world … Read more
By Kristen Romanowski, Staff Writer & Editor “No harm in trying.” That’s what Oak Park resident Chris Brown told himself last fall when he put in a proposal to exhibit his paintings at the library. A relative newcomer to painting, Brown says he first tried his hand at it “in the depths of the pandemic,” … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Nestled in the middle of February’s observance of Black History Month, and the day before Valentine’s Day, Black Love Day is a celebration of love specific to Black people. Founded in 1993 by Ayo Handy-Kendi, Black Love Day rests upon “5 Loving Acts”: Love for The Creator, Love for Self, … Read more
By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian There are so many benefits to having an Oak Park library card, and checking out digital music on Hoopla is one of my favorites. Part of your digital library, Hoopla features ebooks, digital audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and more that you can check out instantly—no holds, no … Read more
By Kristen Romanowski, Staff Writer & Editor Growing up, Jason Dorsey always knew he wanted to travel. “It’s almost like I had a thread of adventure inside of me, always,” he says. So he joined the U.S. Marines in 2000, right out of high school. But after returning home from active duty four years later, … Read more
By Collection Management Librarian Kathy Looking to read more this year? Or better yet, looking to expand your reading horizons? Reading challenges are great ways to do both! Try one of these titles that will start you off on the right track to meet your 2023 reading goals. Titles to challenge yourself Finding Me by … Read more
By Eileen Saam, Children’s Librarian Looking for engaging and educational sites for kids? You’ve come to the right place! Many websites designed for kids claim to be informative and entertaining, but it can be challenging to find fun, user-friendly sites for kids that are not loaded with advertisements. What should you look for when exploring … Read more
By Kristen Romanowski, Staff Writer & Editor Want to see some colorful birds during these dreary January days? Just look up. Above the bookshelves at Maze Branch, that is, where artwork by outsider artist Casey Jones went up earlier this month. Using recycled materials like packing boxes and paper, plus paint and glitter “and whatever … Read more
