THE STORYLINE A quarterly publication of the Oak Park Public Library SPRING 2017 News | Events | Stories IDEA BOX: BUILD A BETTER WORLD (PAGE 10) PAGE 4 PAGE 7 PAGE 11 PAGE 15 PAGE 17 Voter New! New! Maker Volunteer Trans Day Resources Books & Brews Workshops Opportunities of Visibility Distribution of information by a community group in accordance with District 97 policy does not imply, directly or indirectly, that the group’s program(s), event(s) and/or service(s) is sanctioned, sponsored or endorsed by the district, the Board of Education or the superintendent. IN THIS ISSUE Spring 2017 Vol. 2, No. 2 March | April | May CONTACT US oppl.org/contact Main Library 708.383.8200 Dole Branch 708.386.9032 9 Maze Branch 708.386.4751 BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES Find board meeting dates and locations FOUNDATION COMMUNITY at oppl.org/board, and get in touch at [email protected]. LIBRARY EXECUTIVE COURTESYHOTO OF OAK PARK-RIVER FOREST 15 16 P DIRECTOR David J. Seleb 708.697.6911 TABLE OF CONTENTS [email protected] OUR MISSION & VISION 3 Get to know your library IN YOUR WORDS 4 staff at oppl.org/about. OAK PARK READS 5 Share comments ARTS & CULTURE 9 and questions at IDEA BOX 10 oppl.org/contact MAKER WORKSHOPS 11 and on social media. DIGITAL LEARNING 12 CAREERS & BUSINESSES 13 FINANCIAL LITERACY 14 ON THE COVER LEARN & CONNECT 15 Photos of community EARLY LITERACY 16 members helped build ELEMENTARY & MIDDLE SCHOOL 17 this butterfly collage in the Main Library Idea HIGH SCHOOL 18 Box in 2016. On page 10, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 19 see how the Idea Box is LIBRARY CLOSINGS 20 all about transformation and building community in 2017. This issue showcases select events and classes at the library this spring. View all at oppl.org/calendar. IN THIS ISSUE 2 The Storyline | Oak Park Public Library | Spring 2017 OUR MISSION & VISION WE PLEDGE The following is an excerpt from the Our Voices pledge, an initiative of the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom. Learn more at ourvoiceschicago.ala.org. The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. Yet even as our society becomes increasingly TO EMPOWER every voice in our community diverse, the mainstream book and publishing hat drives our work? Our of local and diverse materials, protecting ecosystem has not met that community’s aspirations—what intellectual freedoms, securing the right to diversity with a diversity Wyou’ve told us matters most to privacy, providing spaces and opportunities to of voices. Oak Park: literacy, education, affordability, connect, and opening access to reputable, fact- And while there has diversity, inclusion, equity, health, and safety. based information for more meaningful civic been an unprecedented This year, we remain fully committed to engagement. explosion of writing by our mission to share the information, services, In this and upcoming issues of “small and indie publishers and opportunities that fulfill these aspirations. The Storyline, we look forward to sharing the and self-published creators, We also remain committed to professional work we do and how together we can support many libraries and public library values: promoting the growth our community’s aspirations. librarians do not yet have the tools they need to bring these materials into the library to provide access to BECAUSE FAKE NEWS the diverse communities we serve. can have real-world consequences. [We pledge to] assert the freedom to read as a s your public library, we provide just having computer literacy is great, but freedom to read diverse, spaces for conversation and offer you as information professionals, we’re always quality content of all Afree access to trustworthy, fact-based looking at what’s the most authoritative source kinds. Join us in raising resources that can help you separate rumor for the information and teaching information our voices and raising 1 and opinion from reality. literacy.” the voices of those we do Because facts, critical thinking, and Or as we saw a librarian post on Facebook not yet often hear. knowing how to judge the quality of your in January: “If you cite Google and you aren’t sources always matter. writing about Google or Google’s history, As Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian I’m gonna cry big tears all over your paper of Congress, told The New York Times and get it wet.”2 Magazine, “Librarians have been pounding on Learn more about how libraries are this issue in a different way for a while—that transforming lives at oppl.org/about. OUR MISSION & VISION 1 Ana Marie Cox, “Carla Hayden Thinks Libraries Are a Key to Freedom,” The New York Times Magazine, Jan. 22, 2017. 3 2 Stephanie Unertl, ALA Think Tank Facebook group, Jan. 19, 2017, accessed Feb. 3, 2017. ” IN YOUR WORDS OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST PHOTO COURTESYPHOTO OF THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ‘Citizen participation at its best’ BY MARY ROSE LAMBKE, LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF OAK PARK & RIVER FOREST s part of the League of Women come well prepared to discuss complex Voters of Oak Park and agendas. I have witnessed a commitment ARiver Forest Observer Corps, to community, as well as respect for all The library partners with and I attend Oak Park Public Library and for civil dialogue—even as debate supports the work of the League Board of Trustees open monthly and disagreement may ensue with thorny of Women Voters of Oak Park meetings, typically held on the policy issues. & River Forest, a nonpartisan fourth Tuesday of each month at I have also observed an intellectual political organization that the Main Library. energy, creative and compassionate encourages the informed and As the league focuses on civil problem-solving, and an openness to the active participation of citizens participation in public policy issues health of our community. in government. Find upcoming and voter education, the library It is watching citizen participation and candidate forums at lwvoprf.org. “shares the information, services, and a governmental body at their best. opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s Through the league and the library, aspirations,” according to its new Oak Parkers have access to exceptional Will you be ready to vote in local mission statement. resources for citizenship, for education, municipal elections on Tuesday, At library board meetings, I see and for participation in their community. April 4? Find your polling place elected officials and library staff I feel fortunate to be a part of them both. and more at oppl.org/vote. IN YOUR WORDS IN YOUR 4 The Storyline | Oak Park Public Library | Spring 2017 OAK PARK READS Best books of We asked, what was the best book you read in 2016? In paper and online surveys, 140 of you answered the call. 2016 Here are some of your responses: NONFICTION GRAPHIC NOVELS DARK MONEY HYPERBOLE AND A by Jane Mayer HALF by Allie Brosh “I think it tells us a lot “It’s the first time I read more about the current a graphic novel. I'd been situation than [J.D. Vance’s] avoiding them, thinking Hillbilly Elegy ever did.” they were just comic books. I was wrong. It made me WHEN BREATH laugh out loud many times, MOST CHECKED-OUT BOOK IN 2016 BECOMES AIR and addresses the author’s MOST RECOMMENDED depression and anxiety in an by Paul Kalanithi honest, heartbreaking way FICTION “Excellent writing about that I can identify with.” AUTHOR EVENTS a difficult topic.” A MAN CALLED OVE AUTHOR JANIS JOHNSTON: by Fredrik Backman “Inspiring, gritty, true.” BEVERLY MIDLIFE MAZE “Heartwarming story. by Nick Drnaso Theme: ‘It takes a village.’” Wednesday, March 8, 7–9 pm, “A graphic novel that is Main Library. Join Janis Clark haunting, hilarious, and “It’s great when people work Johnston, EdD, psychologist and relatable for any coming- together, even when they author of Midlife Maze: A Map of-age teenager.” don’t mix so well together.” to Recovery and Rediscovery After Loss. Through firsthand stories More graphic novel and practical exercises, Johnston THE UNDERGROUND picks on page 8. leads readers through the midlife RAILROAD maze to a place of recovery, YOUNG ADULT by Colson Whitehead purpose, and peace. (YA) FICTION “So well written, and BIO & MEMOIR AUTHOR ROB ELDER: a fabulous story.” THE RAVEN HIDDEN HEMINGWAY MY PARIS DREAM by BOYS (SERIES) Thursday, April 6, 7–9 pm, “I couldn’t stop thinking Kate Betts and YEAR OF by Maggie Stiefvater Main Library. Join Oak Park about this book after I read YES by Shonda Rhimes “Very well-developed author Robert Elder to hear it. It really brought home “I found both of these fun, characters. Believable magic. stories from Hidden Hemingway: the horrors of slavery and inspiring, and easy reads, Teens that read like teens. Inside the Ernest Hemingway is beautifully written.” which is mandatory with Intriguing plot. Everyone Archives of Oak Park. This four kids under 5.” should read more YA!” hardcover coffee table book features never-before-seen items, COMING IN APRIL: We’ll announce the 2017 One Book, such as family photos, teenage One Oak Park summer reading title. About the 2016 selection, diaries, bullfighting tickets, love Ta-Nehisi Coates’ Between the World and Me, one survey letters, and even a dental x-ray. respondent said, simply: “It was raw, real, and unforgettable.” OAK PARK READS PARK OAK 5 R Some events require registration. See all events at oppl.org/calendar. oak park reads Library-led book To learn more and to subscribe to our monthly Authors & Books email, GROUPS visit oppl.org/book-groups. AN INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY DISCUSSION Wednesday, March 8, 7–8:30 pm, Main Library ibrary Assistant Donna Ioppolo, with anything in the book, that’s fine; Join us to discuss Egyptian- who’s worked at the library since we can agree to disagree.” American journalist and activist L1998, remembers the first book Kat Butler, who’s part of the Detection Mona Eltahawy’s 2015 book, discussion she ever led, on Memoirs of a by Daylight book group, said she Headscarves and Hymens: Why Geisha by Arthur Golden: appreciates that approach.