Especially for older adults: Get ready for the holidays with help from your library

A mother and daughter cutting up food and preparing a meal together

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian Somehow, it’s November! Which means that the holidays are quickly approaching. If you’re like me you haven’t even started to think about shopping, cooking, and gathering. But, hopefully, you’re a little more on top of things than I am. Either way, the library has a lot of … Read more

Tech Tips: How to use Consumer Reports

Two older adults laughing while using a laptop and holding a credit card

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian Are you thinking about buying a new car, appliance, gadget, or literally anything else, but feeling overwhelmed or not sure where to start? Consumer Reports is designed to help you navigate all of the options and narrow down products based on consumer tests and reviews. Their goal … Read more

Especially for older adults: Digital magazines & resources for hobbies & crafts

Older adult and child knitting together

By Rose Barnes, Health & Senior Services Librarian While August often marks the end of summer, the heat and long days still prevail. If you’re like me and love the heat, then it might be the perfect time to check out a magazine and sit outside. Or, maybe you prefer the relief of an air-conditioned … Read more

New on Kanopy: Upgraded web experience & Oak Park’s top films & shows

Screenshot of updated Kanopy homepage

Noticed a new design on the Kanopy website this week? Earlier this month, Kanopy rolled out an upgraded streaming experience available in your web browser that’s more intuitive, responsive, and user-centered. Wondering what to watch next? Check out what Oak Parkers are streaming below » What’s new in the Kanopy web browser There’s nothing you … Read more

Need help with school research projects? Library resources to the rescue: AtoZ Maps & AtoZ World Culture (Part 2)

Kid raising hands in triumph while working on a laptop with shelves filled with books in the background

By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam As mentioned in my first post in this series, Google is a great resource of information and can be a useful first source when researching for school projects. But did you know that there are many subscription-based library resources that can be accessed online with your Oak Park library card? … Read more

Need help with school research projects? Library resources to the rescue: Culture Grams, National Geographic Kids & World Book for Kids (Part 1)

Two grade school students using a laptop to study outside

By Children’s Librarian Eileen Saam Many people use Google to search for information on the internet. Google is a powerful tool for research. It is fast and convenient and can help you access lots of useful information. But is Google always the best research tool for everyone? Often Google is not a good tool to … Read more

We suggest: Celebrity book club round-up, August 2021

Celebrity Book Clubs: Read with the Stars

by Collection Management Librarian Dontaná Since Oprah’s first book club pick in 1996, we have been reading as the celebrities do, falling in love with, or hating, characters with our fellow book club readers. Book clubs offer an opportunity to be in community with others, even if we’re not together in person.  Other celebrities who … Read more