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

Autism acceptance & pride: Videos & activities for early learners

Autism Acceptance & Pride with a rainbow infinity symbol

By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian Happy Autism Acceptance Month! To understand why we’re celebrating… Let’s start at the beginning: What is autism & why acceptance? There are two brain types: Neurodiversity encompasses both brain types. Autism is a complex neurodivergent, developmental disability that affects how people experience the world around them. It’s easy to misunderstand autism because … Read more

9 ways to encourage spontaneous, meaningful language

Adult reading a picture book with a baby

Library staff love to talk about the importance of language and play for kids: It helps them explore their world, learn about themselves and the people around them, get ready for school learning, and so much more! Pediatric staff from Kids Unlimited Therapy Services in Oak Park have some practical ways to encourage spontaneous, meaningful … Read more

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

Miss Eileen singing

By Children’s Librarian Shelley Harris The world is waking up in spring! Warm, rainy days bring growing flowers, birds fly home, and the sun shines longer each day. Let’s celebrate with songs, activities, and nature play! The changing seasons always offer great learning opportunities for kids, who are already asking why all of the above … Read more

36 things to do with little ones this spring

Illustrated animals playing dress up and coloring

The daffodils are starting to bloom and that means that warm weather is on the way! Your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood have curated activities, events, and resources for you and your little ones to make the most of the soon-to-be-spring season. Activities Storytimes Events

Be kind to yourself: Videos & resources for grownups & early learners

Be Kind to Yourself text floating on a blue sky with clouds

By Shelley Harris, Children’s Librarian We often come back to the topic of emotions and social-emotional learning with our kids. Sometimes it may feel like we’re repeating ourselves! But we keep returning to the topic because it’s an important one. Kids (and adults!) learn best when they feel that they are safe and secure in … Read more

Connecting you to Black history, then & now

Collage of book covers

Your public library is here to connect us with each other through books, resources, and experiences that celebrate Black history and culture. Browse titles we suggest More librarian-curated reading lists Ebooks, digital audiobooks, movies & more View the Julian Legacy Museum in the Idea Box The Julian Legacy Museum in the Main Library Idea Box … Read more

33 things to do with little ones this winter

Illustrated animals playing in the snow

There may be a chill in the air, but there are plenty of festive activities to attend and community fun to be had this season! Your public library and the Collaboration for Early Childhood have curated activities, events, and resources for you and your little ones to make the most of the upcoming winter months. … Read more

Best of 2023: Kids & picture books

Best of 2023: Kids & Picture Books

Oak Park’s Best of 2023 is back! Our annual librarian-curated selection of titles features some of the titles most requested and checked out by Oak Parkers. See our kids and picture books favorites on this page or browse more using the links below. Adult fiction: General | Adult fiction: Romance, lives & relationships | Adult fiction: Mystery, thriller, sci-fi & fantasy | Adult nonfiction | Teen fiction | Teen nonfiction … Read more

Holidays Around the World

A collage of library staff and family members celebrating the holidays

From Diwali, Christmas, Hannukah, and Kwanzaa 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 … Read more