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Barbara Ballinger Lecture: Sandra Jackson-Opoku & Tracy Clark

11:00am–12:30pm
Arts & Culture, Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on December 20, 2025 @ 11:00am.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Veterans Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Barbara Ballinger Lecture

Each year, we gather to celebrate and recognize former head librarian Barbara Ballinger and her 32 years of dedicated service to the library and to Oak Park. Listen to Barbara's story told in her own words.

Celebrate this year's Barbara Ballinger Lecture with Sandra Jackson-Opoku and Tracy Clark, who join us for a thrilling conversation about their new releases,

Crime & Coffee: "The Serial Killer Whisperer"

3:30pm–5:00pm
Arts & Culture, Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on December 21, 2025 @ 3:30pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Scoville Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Crime & Coffee

Talk history and crime with fellow true crime lovers over a hot cup of coffee. Each month, participants will be presented with a true-crime case to discuss as a group. Expect multiple points of access to each case, from books, ebooks, and audiobooks to true crime podcasts, documentaries, and more. Then join library staff for coffee and snacks as we discuss the details. Whether you like to read, listen, or watch—or all of the above!—there's an option for everyone. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

Latine Author Book Cafe: TBA

6:00pm–7:30pm
Arts & Culture, Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural

Latine Author Book Cafe

Join us on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss works written by Latine authors.* Spanish language copies will be made available when possible. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

*After discussion with community members and staff, the library changed its usage from “Latinx” to “Latine.” Latine is a term created by LGBTQIA+ Spanish speakers. This term uses the letter "e" to illustrate gender inclusivity within existing Spanish pronunciation rules. It is a more inclusive term that acknowledges the gender and language diversity of the community.

VIRTUAL: Illinois Libraries Presents: Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig

7:00pm–8:00pm
Authors & Books
Virtual
Virtual Event
Library Branch: Virtual
Room: Virtual Program
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Event Details:

Jonathan Eig is the bestselling author of six books, including his most recent, Pulitzer Prize-winning

Disclaimer(s)

Illinois Libraries Present Virtual Program

After you register (using the registration link above), you will receive an email with a specific Zoom link to join the event. Please note: Registration closes at 5 pm on the day of the event. Registrations received after this time will be sent a recording of the event via email.

By registering, you agree to library policy and understand that no conduct is permitted that may reasonably be expected to create a disturbance or otherwise interfere with the safe use and enjoyment of the library and program by others. All times are listed in Central time.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among 200+ public libraries—including Oak Park Public Library—offering premier events for participating member libraries of all sizes and budgets. Funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office for the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@ila.org.

Tea & Terror Book Discussion: "Incidents Around The House"

3:30pm–4:30pm
Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on January 17, 2026 @ 3:30pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Scoville Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Tea & Terror

Join library staff for an afternoon of hot tea and terror in this exciting, horror-themed, bi-monthly book discussion. Horror is much more than ghost stories or bloody murders—it can be scary but also funny, sad, powerful, or moving. There's a whole universe of terror out there, waiting to be discovered by adventurous readers. Expect a variety of horror styles and subgenres—from the ghastly and gory to the spooky and sublime, from the horrors of the natural world to the supernatural terrors beyond!

 

Words on Wednesday: Before the Coffee Gets Cold

1:00pm–2:00pm
Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on January 21, 2026 @ 1:00pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Words on Wednesday

Expect stimulating conversation about fiction and nonfiction titles selected by Adult Services Librarians. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

In Toshikazu Kawaguchi's Before the Coffee Gets C

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "Why Fish Don't Exist"

6:00pm–7:00pm
Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Sustainability
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on January 21, 2026 @ 6:00pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Scoville Room
Age Group: High School, Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Sustainability
Registration Required
Event Details:

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion

Explore nature and environmentalism from a variety of perspectives across fiction and nonfiction literature on the third Wednesday of every month. Learn more about library-led book discussions.

Part biography, part memoir, part scientific adventure, Why

Author Visit: Rebecca Fishow and Erika Eckart

6:30pm–8:00pm
Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on January 21, 2026 @ 6:30pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Veterans Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Hear from local authors Erika Eckhart and Rebecca Fishow as they discuss their new books.

Erika Eckhart

Chapter Chasers! Book Pick Up

4:00pm–5:00pm
Authors & Books, Students Grades 6-8, Students Grades 9-12
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Middle School Space
Age Group: Middle School, High School
Program Type: Authors & Books, Students Grades 6-8, Students Grades 9-12
Event Details:

Chapter Chasers is a book club for teens (grades 6-12) to build a love for reading and have meaningful book discussions

Latine Author Book Cafe: TBA

6:00pm–7:30pm
Arts & Culture, Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural

Latine Author Book Cafe

Join us on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss works written by Latine authors.* Spanish language copies will be made available when possible. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

*After discussion with community members and staff, the library changed its usage from “Latinx” to “Latine.” Latine is a term created by LGBTQIA+ Spanish speakers. This term uses the letter "e" to illustrate gender inclusivity within existing Spanish pronunciation rules. It is a more inclusive term that acknowledges the gender and language diversity of the community.

Crime & Coffee: "BARN: the secret history of a murder in Mississippi"

3:30pm–5:00pm
Arts & Culture, Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on February 14, 2026 @ 3:30pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Scoville Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Crime & Coffee

Talk history and crime with fellow true crime lovers over a hot cup of coffee. Each month, participants will be presented with a true-crime case to discuss as a group. Expect multiple points of access to each case, from books, ebooks, and audiobooks to true crime podcasts, documentaries, and more. Then join library staff for coffee and snacks as we discuss the details. Whether you like to read, listen, or watch—or all of the above!—there's an option for everyone. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

BARN: the secret history of a murder in Mississippi

Words on Wednesday: How music got free

1:00pm–2:00pm
Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on February 18, 2026 @ 1:00pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Words on Wednesday

Expect stimulating conversation about fiction and nonfiction titles selected by Adult Services Librarians. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

Stephen Witt's How music got free : the end of an industry, the turn of the century, and the Patient Zero of pirac

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "Black Earth Wisdom"

6:00pm–7:00pm
Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Sustainability
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on February 18, 2026 @ 6:00pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: High School, Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Sustainability
Registration Required
Event Details:

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion

Explore nature and environmentalism from a variety of perspectives across fiction and nonfiction literature on the third Wednesday of every month. Learn more about library-led book discussions.

Black Earth Wisdom: Soulful Conversations with Black Environmentalists is a collection of illuminating essay

VIRTUAL: Illinois Libraries Presents: Still Afraid of the Dark: An Evening with R.L. Stine

7:00pm–8:00pm
Authors & Books
Virtual
Virtual Event
Library Branch: Virtual
Room: Virtual Program
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Event Details:

Witty, creepy, and compulsively readable, bestselling author R.L. Stine defined horror for a generation of young readers. The generation that grew up with the Goosebumps franchise may be grown, but R.L.

Disclaimer(s)

Illinois Libraries Present Virtual Program

After you register (using the registration link above), you will receive an email with a specific Zoom link to join the event. Please note: Registration closes at 5 pm on the day of the event. Registrations received after this time will be sent a recording of the event via email.

By registering, you agree to library policy and understand that no conduct is permitted that may reasonably be expected to create a disturbance or otherwise interfere with the safe use and enjoyment of the library and program by others. All times are listed in Central time.

This event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration among 200+ public libraries—including Oak Park Public Library—offering premier events for participating member libraries of all sizes and budgets. Funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office for the Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Illinois Libraries Present is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations, please email illinoislibrariespresent@ila.org.

Latine Author Book Cafe: TBA

6:00pm–7:30pm
Arts & Culture, Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Arts & Culture, Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Multicultural

Latine Author Book Cafe

Join us on the second Tuesday of each month as we discuss works written by Latine authors.* Spanish language copies will be made available when possible. Learn more about library-led book discussions »

*After discussion with community members and staff, the library changed its usage from “Latinx” to “Latine.” Latine is a term created by LGBTQIA+ Spanish speakers. This term uses the letter "e" to illustrate gender inclusivity within existing Spanish pronunciation rules. It is a more inclusive term that acknowledges the gender and language diversity of the community.

Tea & Terror Book Discussion: "Summer Sons"

3:30pm–4:30pm
Authors & Books
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on March 14, 2026 @ 3:30pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Scoville Room
Age Group: Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books
Registration Required
Event Details:

Tea & Terror

Join library staff for an afternoon of hot tea and terror in this exciting, horror-themed, bi-monthly book discussion. Horror is much more than ghost stories or bloody murders—it can be scary but also funny, sad, powerful, or moving. There's a whole universe of terror out there, waiting to be discovered by adventurous readers. Expect a variety of horror styles and subgenres—from the ghastly and gory to the spooky and sublime, from the horrors of the natural world to the supernatural terrors beyond!

 

Chapter Chasers! Check-in

4:00pm–4:30pm
Authors & Books, Students Grades 6-8, Students Grades 9-12
Main Library
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Middle School Space
Age Group: Middle School, High School
Program Type: Authors & Books, Students Grades 6-8, Students Grades 9-12
Event Details:

Chapter Chasers is a book club for teens (grades 6-12) to build a love for reading and have meaningful book discussions. This meeting is a check-in for all those who are reading the book.

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion: "Blackfish City"

6:00pm–7:00pm
Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Sustainability
Main Library
Register now
Registration Required
Registration will close on March 18, 2026 @ 6:00pm.
Library Branch: Main Library
Room: Small Meeting Room
Age Group: High School, Adults, Older Adults
Program Type: Authors & Books, Equity & Anti-Racism, Sustainability
Registration Required
Event Details:

Earth Lounge: An Environmental Book Discussion

Explore nature and environmentalism from a variety of perspectives across fiction and nonfiction literature on the third Wednesday of every month. Learn more about library-led book discussions.

Blackfish City by Sam J.