Resolution in Support of Library Staff, Collections, and Programming

Approved by the Board of Library Trustees on October 6, 2022 Whereas the Oak Park Public Library adheres to the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement; Whereas the Oak Park Public Library adheres to the American Library Association Freedom to View Statement; Whereas the Oak Park Public Library has Collection Strategy Statement that was … Read more

Welcome to your library

Family with new library cards

September was #LibraryCardSignUpMonth. Let’s give a warm Oak Park welcome to these new library cardholders! September sign-up success On average, roughly 200 people a month get new Oak Park library cards. But from June through September this year, notes Patron Services Manager Martyn Churchouse, more than 400 people got new cards each month! During September’s … Read more

Honoring Indigenous People

Indigenous Peoples Day October 10

By Collection Management Librarian Kathy In 2017, the Village of Oak Park Board of Trustees approved a proclamation declaring the second Monday in October Indigenous Peoples Day. This day recognizes that Native peoples were the first inhabitants of North America and celebrates their history, traditions, and stories. Oak Park Public Library acknowledges that Oak Park is situated … Read more

Tech Tips: Basic digital security: How to create a strong password

Lock icon centered inside a shield with a check mark bubble floating above

By Amy Hofmockel, Creative Technology Librarian It’s so important to create strong passwords—and frequently update them—even though most websites have security measures in place to keep your personal information private. Let’s go over a few of the most basic—but most important—ways to keep your digital data safe, starting with how to: 7 steps to a … Read more

Barbara Ballinger Lecture 2022: ‘The Billboard’ readalikes

Author Natalie Moore with her book The Billboard, the Barbara Ballinger Lecture logo and the Friends of the Library logo

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Each fall we gather to celebrate and recognize former head librarian Barbara Ballinger and her many years of dedicated service to the library and to Oak Park. Sponsored by the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library, this year’s Barbara Ballinger Lecture features a lecture and Q&A with author and WBEZ Journalist Natalie … Read more

Autumnal Equinox: Books & movies for fall

A collage of book covers with an fall leaf border

By Collection Management Librarians Dontaná and Andrea The equinox is upon us! That means it is officially fall and time to get cozy, make all the comfort food, watch some scary movies, and read books in a warm sweater. What we suggest this autumn The Craft: Legacy Why you should try it: If you’ve been … Read more

Especially for older adults: 5 ways to get more from your Oak Park library card

Patron posing with new library card

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian September is Library Card Sign-Up Month! In celebration, I’d like to share some hidden benefits of having an Oak Park library card. Did you know that there is so much that you can do with your library card beyond checking out materials and logging onto a computer? … 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

#BookTok: Titles from TikTok

Book cover collage with a cyan and hot pink border

By Collection Management Librarian Dontaná TikTok is a social media platform filled with people from all over the world sharing news, culture, and dance trends. It is also home to a community of readers posting book recommendations, sharing reviews, and engaging with authors. Popular & under-the-radar reads curated from the vast algorithm that is #BookTok … Read more