Buildings closed; digital and virtual-only service starts Monday, November 16

Since Wednesday, November 11’s announcement to close the Main Library until Thursday, November 19 due to a staff member testing positive for COVID-19, more health advisories (for Chicago and suburban Cook County) have been issued.

Both advisories go into effect at 6 am Monday and last 30 days. To do our part in helping slow the spread of this virus, we have adjusted our plan.

The Main Library will remain closed for 30 days, starting Monday, November 16.

After those 30 days, we will determine—based on the environment and any subsequent orders and advisories—whether to reopen the Main Library on December 16. 

This means we will not reopen on Thursday, November 19 following our week-long emergency closure as first announced Wednesday.

No physical checkouts, returns, deliveries, or building access

During this 30-day period, we will remain a digital and virtual services only environment. Staff will continue to answer your questions remotely (with expanded remote customer service hours coming November 23) to ensure you have full access to services and the support you may need to use them. Physical materials checkouts, including in-person and contact-free holds pickup, will not be available. There will be no delivery services. The parking garage will be closed. 

Know your digital library remains open and virtual programs are still happening. We will continue to think creatively about how to deliver services during this time, and throughout this pandemic overall (expect more updates on this soon).

Our intention is to help reduce the infection rate in Oak Park and around Chicago. See Oak Park testing status bulletins, demographic data, and more related to coronavirus in Oak Park »

Throughout this pandemic, we have focused on adapting service delivery to prioritize human health and well-being above all else. This latest decision is in line with our plan since the pandemic began—which has been to follow recommendations of local health officials. Read more about our approach »

While buildings are closed

• Keep your items; book drops are closed. We are extending due dates, stopping SWAN notifications, and remember, we are fine free »
• Know your holds are waiting. If you were already notified, your items will be here for pickup when the Main Library building reopens.
• Ask us questions remotely
  • Visit oppl.org/contact »
  • Use our live chat service, accessible via oppl.org, from 10 am to 6 pm Mondays through Saturdays.
  • Call 708.383.8200 and leave a message; we will return your call as soon as possible.

Virtual customer support will be available 2-6 pm today to accommodate a morning Staff Engagement Day training. 

Your digital library gives Oak Park cardholders anywhere, anytime access to massive amounts of growing virtual content. Read, listen, watch, find, learn, and research. 

Questions? Leave us a voicemail at 708.383.8200 or submit at oppl.org/contact »

Join other English language learners to practice English and learn new vocabulary in an informal setting. Conversation Facilitators will lead the session with a variety of topics for conversation. Free and open to all English language learners.

REGISTER IN ZOOM NOW. This virtual program comes to you via Zoom. After you register, you will receive a specific Zoom link to join the webinar

Join your favorite librarians live via Zoom for books, songs, movement, and lots of fun! These storytimes are best for kids up to age 5.

REGISTER IN ZOOM NOW: After you register, you will receive a specific Zoom link to join the event.

REGISTER IN ZOOM NOW. After you register, you will receive a specific Zoom link to join in the event.

The Living History Project (LHP) is an attempt at youth leadership development that seeks to provide a space to help cultivate social and critical thinking skills, develop research skills, and gain public speaking experience. A major component of this project is that its authentically youth led meaning that youth are given the opportunity to discuss issues pertinent to them and do further research as well as plan and organize community presentations. Facilitated by long time social justice and human rights activist Billy Brooks, LHP’s program structure is fairly informal and flexible, capable of adjusting to a variety of settings. It is within this informal conversationalist structure that Mr. Brooks is able to further instill necessary leadership skills ranging from foundations to effective communication to critical thinking and public speaking. In effect what the LHP is prepared to offer students is:

• Knowledge of effective communication and social skills

• Further development of critical thinking skills

• Research skills

• Experience with direct project management 

• Experience with public speaking

• Self advocacy strategies You can register with this link.

You can register with this link.

We miss you, library friends! Because we don't get to talk at the desk anymore, come by our virtual desk in Zoom to get personal time with our Children's Services team. We can read you a story (or you can read to us), chat with a puppet, share some jokes, or show us your pets! Sessions are 10 minutes each.

The Housecall Allergist Dr. Pitud will be available to give a presentation and answer questions about allergies and asthma.

Join your favorite librarians live via Zoom for books, songs, movement, and lots of fun! These storytimes are best for kids up to age 5.

Young people are always observing, listening, learning from you and from their world. There are so many little ways over the years that you connect and share messages about identities, bodies, and relationships. During this virtual event, you'll get real-life examples of adults and youth having quick meaningful conversations about navigating sexual health.

The Living History Project (LHP) is an attempt at youth leadership development that seeks to provide a space to help cultivate social and critical thinking skills, develop research skills, and gain public speaking experience. A major component of this project is that its authentically youth led meaning that youth are given the opportunity to discuss issues pertinent to them and do further research as well as plan and organize community presentations. Facilitated by long time social justice and human rights activist Billy Brooks, LHP’s program structure is fairly informal and flexible, capable of adjusting to a variety of settings. It is within this informal conversationalist structure that Mr. Brooks is able to further instill necessary leadership skills ranging from foundations to effective communication to critical thinking and public speaking. In effect what the LHP is prepared to offer students is:

• Knowledge of effective communication and social skills

• Further development of critical thinking skills

• Research skills

• Experience with direct project management 

• Experience with public speaking

• Self advocacy strategies You can register with this link.

You can register with this link.

Medicare can be confusing. Find out what Medicare covers, what it doesn’t, and your potential out of pocket exposure, and learn about Medicare Supplements, Medicare Advantage Plans, Part D Prescription Coverage, and cost saving strategies for the year ahead. Presented by Ivan Morgan from Premier Medicare Benefits.

Join other English language learners to practice English and learn new vocabulary in an informal setting. Conversation Facilitators will lead the session with a variety of topics for conversation. Free and open to all English language learners.

REGISTER IN ZOOM NOW. This virtual program comes to you via Zoom. After you register, you will receive a specific Zoom link to join the webinar

Join your favorite librarians live via Zoom for books, songs, movement, and lots of fun! These storytimes are best for kids up to age 5.

Enjoy a musical journey abroad with jazz vocalist Petra van Nuis and Andy Brown. They will entertain you with Great American Songbook favorites including "Come Fly With Me," "Far Away Places," "When in Rome I Do as the Romans Do," "Caravan," " It Happened in Monterey,"  and more!

At a Death Cafe people, often strangers, gather to discuss death. Our objective is bring awareness to the impermanent nature of life so that we may remember the sacredness of each breath, A Death Cafe is a group directed discussion of death with no agenda, objectives or themes. It is a discussion group rather than a grief support or counseling session. Death Cafes are always offered: on a not for profit basis, in an accessible, respectful and confidential space; with no intention of leading people to any conclusion, product or course of action.

We miss you, library friends! Because we don't get to talk at the desk anymore, come by our virtual desk in Zoom to get personal time with our Children's Services team. We can read you a story (or you can read to us), chat with a puppet, share some jokes, or show us your pets! Sessions are 10 minutes each.