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2021: A Year in Review Scroll down to begin

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In 2021, the Oak Park Public Library continued to put people and safety first while sharing the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill our community's aspirations. We steadily increased in-person services and access to physical spaces. We went deeper and strengthened our commitment to the library's equity and anti-racism journey. And despite the changes and restrictions of pandemic living, we created opportunities to inspire more fun and more joy, together with you. Read on to learn more about the ways in which the library made a difference for individuals and unique groups of people throughout our community in 2021.

Commit to equity & anti-racism

In 2021, the library worked to better center historically, intentionally, and traditionally marginalized people groups.

Stronger accountability & leadership

In March, the Board of Library Trustees adopted the library's first anti-racism strategic plan. This came after more than a full year of discussions, feedback sessions, reviews, and input from staff and community stakeholders, including those on the Anti-Racism Advisory Team (pictured).

We continued our journey all year. After a lengthy search process, Stephen Jackson was hired as the library's first Director of Equity and Anti-Racism. “I love motivating others, building consensus, supporting open communication, and working hard to create environments that are supportive for all," Jackson says.

Stephen Jackson became the library's first Director of Equity and Anti-Racism.

We also rewrote two policies that define how the library wants to interact with its community: the Equity and Anti-Racism Statement and A Library for Everyone: Striving to Support Positive Experiences.

A sense of belonging

We placed intentional focus on attracting a library workforce that reflects the diversity of our community, and in 2021 our staff became more racially diverse than ever before. More full-time staff members identified as nonwhite compared with previous years, and more part-time staff moved into full-time positions, which in turn increased their access to health care and other employee benefits.

We also heard several job candidates tell us the library's commitment to equity and anti-racism was a big reason why they applied to work here, and we recorded an increase in the number of new library account signups from specific U.S. Census tracts with both a higher percentage of residents of color and a lower percentage of previously active library cards.

An ongoing journey

In 2022, the learning continues, as the library remains committed to this journey for the long term. See a timeline of the library's equity & anti-racism journey.

"You all are ABSOLUTELY THE BEST!!! If every entity was as knowledgeable, intelligent, compassionate, inclusive, and effective as OPPL, the world would be unimaginably better! Thanks to ALL of you!" (Patron comment via email, February 2021)

Connect through restorative practices

With more staff dedicated to restorative practices in 2021, we strengthened relationships with community organizations and members who also are committed to equity and anti-racism work, including Walk the Walk, the Austin Branch of the Chicago Public Library, the Equity Team of Oak Park, and local schools.

Virtual programs & circles

Together, we hosted conversations and peace circle discussions all year on topics such as the Black experience in Oak Park (see video below), prisons and policing, and local and national reparations movements. See recordings of select virtual programs.

Students 'lead with love'

In the fall, we held a three-part family and community March discussion series, centered on civil rights leader John Lewis' graphic novel trilogy. Brooks Middle School teachers Nichelle Stigger and Katy Alejos (pictured) were among those who participated in this community collaboration, which built upon similar work in 2020.

Across all three sessions, most participants who responded to surveys agreed or strongly agreed that they “developed or deepened relationships with fellow community members as a result of participating” and that, after participating, they felt "better equipped to talk about race and identity with fellow community members in the future.”

"I appreciate peace circles so much because its protocols help me to speak and listen from my heart. ... The diversity of my group was wonderful!" (Participant survey respondent, December 2021)
Restorative Practices Coordinator Tatiana Swancy talks with students outside Julian Middle School about John Lewis and the "March" family and community discussion circles series.

The series was made possible by the collective efforts of the library, Oak Park Elementary School District 97, Oak Park and River Forest High School, the E-Team of Oak Park, the Township of Oak Park, and Dominican University’s Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) group.

“The topic of reparations is extremely important, and I need and want to know more about it. ... The speakers were excellent and engaging; the depth of knowledge at their fingertips… wow. Christian Harris [from Walk the Walk] is also a great moderator. I like his quiet, thoughtful presence.” (“From Here to Equality”: A Plan for National Reparations program participant survey respondents, December 2021)

Share community expertise & heritage

To actively engage community members in inclusive opportunities with diverse groups, we support community members who want to share their unique cultural experiences and identities through public programs and exhibits at the library.

Exhibits to celebrate & remember

In October and November, we celebrated Día de Muertos and created ofrendas at all three library buildings. At Dole Branch, Multicultural Learning Coordinator Juanta Griffin set up an ofrenda honoring famous chemist and former Oak Park resident Dr. Percy L. Julian (pictured), incorporating some of his favorite foods and routines. In the Main Library Idea Box, Oak Parker and Librarian Raleigh Ocampo created an interactive ofrenda to remember those who died from COVID-19, with photos submitted by community members (see video below).

We collaborated with community members on Idea Box exhibits throughout the year, including Kathy Valdivia and Eliana Gamarra, who honored Peruvian Independence Day by exhibiting textiles and more in the Main Library Idea Box last summer (see video below and more multicultural learning videos).

Hemingway in Oak Park, on film

In April, the Hemingway documentary by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick premiered on PBS. To show a young Ernest growing up in Oak Park, our library's Special Collections team worked with the production company to help them select never-before-digitized photos from the Hemingway collections housed at the Main Library, which are owned by both the library and the Ernest Hemingway Foundation of Oak Park.

In one of the archival photos we shared for the "Hemingway" documentary, Ernest (second from right) is on a camping trip with friends along the Des Plaines River.
“I would like to thank the library for making it possible to borrow mobile hotspots. I recently checked one out to use during a week long trip to visit my 94 year old mother who does not have internet access in her home. The hotspot enabled me to continue 'working from home' while I was there and meant I had more time to be with my mother. Thank you for this service!” (Patron comment via email, April 2021)

Increase in-person access while putting people & safety first

As COVID-19 vaccines became more available and statewide restrictions lessened in spring and summer, we began expanding our in-person offerings, adding to the remote and virtual options developed in 2020.

In June, library staff (like Shyheim and Julie, pictured above) returned to helping people in person in the Main Library lobby and at service desks.

Supporting vaccination efforts for all

“I was so excited I'd be able to hug my mom,” remembers Adult Services Manager Alexandra Skinner, who like many library staff members got her COVID-19 vaccines through the Oak Park Public Health Department starting in March. In September, the library’s Board of Trustees approved a Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccine Program, and by the end of the year 98.4% of staff reported being fully vaccinated.

Health and Senior Services Librarian Rose Barnes was grateful to get vaccinated and to help others find information and appointments for vaccines as well.

While getting vaccinated themselves, our staff worked to help provide information about COVID-19 vaccines to our community through virtual programs, our website, and partnering with local groups. In April, Teen Services Librarian Alex Gutierrez collaborated with Students Advocating for Equity (SAFE) from Oak Park and River Forest High School, who set up outside the Main Library one Saturday to help community members find and register for vaccine appointments. "I'm really hoping to collaborate with them again," Gutierrez says. "Their energy was awesome, and they were all super motivated to be there!"

Outside the Main Library in April, Students Advocating for Equity (SAFE) helped community members find vaccine appointments.
"You have continually been so thoughtful and intelligent in figuring out how to have the library be available to us as much as possible this past year! It is, indeed, a lifeline, so critical to the well-being of our community!" (Patron comment via email, February 2021)

Reopen Dole & Maze branches

Through spring and summer, the library steadily increased in-person access to spaces, resources, and services, including reopening both branch libraries, starting with the larger Maze Branch in April. In July, Dole Branch reopened.

With a smaller footprint than Maze Branch, Dole Branch is inside a building shared with and owned by the Park District of Oak Park.

More space, better browsing

Before reopening Maze Branch on April 19, library staff worked to make its collections more browsable, diverse, inclusive, accessible, and reflective of the needs of the general community. We also made collection shifts to create more adequate space in the children's area and throughout the building, so that patrons and staff could physically distance.

Among the collections shifts at Maze Branch, we removed the children's playhouse to create more open space for visitors and children’s books.

On reopening day, Manager of Patron Services Martyn Churchouse shared: "We've already received some positive comments from parents about the collection changes and the space. Best moment so far, two kids of about 3-5 years old jumping up and down because their library is open again."

"Walking into the Dole library, one is greeted by a sense of peace and calm, as well as by friendly attendants (Marcelis, Cindy, Joel, and Michelle). Excellent service and atmosphere. This is pretty much the ideal library." (Survey respondent, December 2021)

Reopen study & meeting spaces

In July, Main Library study rooms reopened, with new library computers dedicated to each room. "The study rooms are so useful for doing my homework with my grandma after school," Demi (pictured below) told us. "We are able to talk, read and use the internet all in one area."

Demi and her grandmother use Main Library study rooms after school.

And in September, physical meeting spaces became available for cardholders to reserve once again, adding to the pandemic-inspired option of reserving virtual meeting spaces with library support. Learn about reserving different kinds of library spaces.

“Money has been super tight recently, and I'm studying for the social work exam. I was really hesitant about spending $85 to take the official practice exam. Someone in my online study group mentioned that their local library had the practice exam, so I immediately went to OPPL and lo-and-behold.. there it was!!! I was sooo happy! ... I'm so pleased to have found OPPL!” (Survey respondent, November 2021)

Make teens a priority

The library’s Leading Edge Teen Advisory Board is an opportunity for students ages 13-17 to give back, share ideas about teen services, do service projects, and earn service hours. Members kicked off our first outdoor, in-person program with their Ice Cream Social in June, and spent Sunday afternoons cleaning up neighborhood litter in the monthly Teen Environmental Club.

Leading Edge Advisory Board members at the Ice Cream Social in June

Dedicated space—for teens, by teens

In September, about 30 patrons attended the grand opening for the newly dedicated Main Library Teen Space. This new after-school destination, in the southeast corner of the Main Library's second floor, is intended specifically for library patrons ages 13-18. The space features colorful tables and chairs, comfortable and flexible furniture, and a new big-screen TV.

Special thanks to members of the Leading Edge Advisory Board for their creativity, leadership, and input on the space and the grand opening event. Watch the video below to get a tour from some of the teens involved!

Service for a better world

In 2021, young people in the community shared their passion for climate and environmental issues through displays in the library. And teens in the Oak Park-River Forest chapter of Clean Up Give Back, along with local organization Takeout 25 and the Village of Oak Park, collected 500 pounds of plastic waste, which was upcycled and transformed into a new bench they donated for the Main Library lobby as "a symbol of sustainability."

From left, with the donated bench in the Main Library lobby: Ravi Parakkat, Oak Park Village Trustee and Takeout 25 founder; Oak Park Public Library Executive Director David J. Seleb; Clean Up Give Back members Audrey Johnston, Libby Bollinger, Frankie Krystal and Lily Clifford; and Adrienne Eyer, Oak Park resident, volunteer, and mom of Libby.
"[The Main Library Teen Space] has been in the works for a long time and reflects the efforts of many different folks, young and old. It was very cool to see it come to life, and also to get an individual tour from one of the young people involved with making it happen!" (Community member and photographer Paul Goyette, September 2021)

Rekindle joy in summer learning

In June, we kicked off summer reading and outdoor in-person programs for kids and families. By partnering with the Park District of Oak Park, we sang, danced, and read in weekly storytimes in the parks through October.

Emphasis on fun!

This summer’s reading program, Reading Colors Your World, was about so much more than reading, says Elementary School Services Librarian Genevieve Grove.

Summer reading program participants Vena and Opal: “Making connections between the art that we make and the books that we read!”

“It was about experiential learning, getting kids physically moving and out exploring in nature, and having fun with science, mindfulness, and different kinds of movement,” Grove said.“For kids who struggled through a Zoom-based school year, we wanted to rekindle the joy in learning, across all kinds of subjects.”

Elementary School Services Librarian Genevieve Grove visited Holmes Elementary in June to help kick off summer learning.

All together, 1,100 participants ages 3 through rising ninth graders completed over 20,000 activities and logged over 932,000 minutes of reading! Read more about our colorful summer of learning and joy.

Virtual field trips & more

Building on the video series they started in 2020, our children's librarians and engagement coordinators continued bringing stories, songs, rhymes, and more to kids and families through virtual learning videos. In 2021, they also took us on virtual field trips to places like the Brookfield Zoo, the Museum of Science and Industry, and the new community fridge outside Carnival Grocery. Watch all Virtual Learning & Fun for Kids & Families videos.

"We love the librarians at Oak Park's libraries and are so impressed with the summer reading program for kids!" (Survey respondent, August 2021)

Plant seeds & work together

From spring through fall 2021, we joined with local partners to bring awareness about how to support a healthy habitat for butterflies and other pollinators in the Year of the Butterfly.

New pollinator gardens, free milkweed & more

In May, a team of library staff and volunteers planted two new pollinator gardens outside the Main Library and Maze Branch (pictured), which are now registered as Monarch Waystations. And to help our neighbors help monarchs, we distributed 100 packets of milkweed seeds to Oak Park residents.

We also offered events and activities for all ages, including two family programs at the Oak Park Conservatory and a native garden bike tour with Bike Walk Oak Park. "I appreciated how family-friendly and community-building it was,” one participant told us.

Native Garden Bike Tour with Bike Walk Oak Park

'The impact is exponential'

In July we met 3-year-old Elise and her mom Tarresha. Library staff member Dean Horkavy showed them around the Main Library garden, where Elise fell in love with purple prairie clover.

Elise learned to identify purple prairie clover after seeing it in the Main Library's new native garden.

On later visits, they shared that Elise was excited to identify the plant in other gardens around town, and that they had planted their own garden with native plants. “One small seed planted because the library has a native garden onsite," Horkavy said. "The impact is exponential!”

"The librarians are extremely helpful and I can get whatever I need. Also I love the way the library is continually reinventing itself!!" (Survey respondent, November 2021)

Meet people where they are

After a year's hiatus, we were so happy to bring the library’s Book Bike back in 2021. From June through October, we wheeled the "Paperback Rider" out to 39 different events, for a total of 52 hours in the community and more than 1,000 interactions, including school visits, the Oak Park Farmers Market, and weekly outdoor storytimess.

'Hey look, it's the library!'

While acknowledging the ongoing public health crisis and the importance of staff capacity and safety for all, we also knew that many in our community would welcome in-person engagement after many months of isolation. During a visit to the Oak Park Conservatory in August for a Year of the Butterfly program, we kept hearing people say, "Hey look, it's the library!" And one patron told us during a June visit to Mills Tower Park senior apartment complex, "I'm glad you guys are back."

Community Engagement Team members (left to right) Funmi, Nora, Izzy, and Jenny

Empowering people with free books

During a Book Bike visit to St. Catherine-St. Lucy Catholic School in June, we brought books to give away for free under our grant-funded Books Empower program. The kids were intrigued, asking: "How do all the books fit in the bike?" "You can ride it?" By the end of our visit, kids had claimed 80% of the books and were sharing their new finds on the playground.

The two-year Books Empower initiative wrapped up in 2021. Collaborating with over eight different community partners, we distributed more than 2,000 Books Empower books to community members of all ages, many of whom were taking advantage of other vital community services like health clinics, housing programs, food pantries, and family home visit support services.

"We are so grateful for our library! The breadth of materials available, both print and digital, as well as other things like DVDs and exploration backpacks and dolls and more, really can't be beat. The library helps us explore our world and take in literature in ways that would be unavailable to us otherwise." (Survey respondent, May 2021)

Curate resources that speak to aspirations

Choosing to be anti-racist touches everything we do. This includes the resources we intentionally curate for our community, such as Book Club Kits, custom lists for kids, teens, and adults, and the 2021 Anti-Racism Resource Challenge.

Book Club Kits include popular titles to read and discuss together, such as "So You Want to Talk About Race" by Ijeoma Olou and "The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together" by Heather McGhee.

Anti-racism resources

We launched the Anti-Racism Resource Challenge in February, and by October, more than 200 people individuals had signed up for the series of intentional learning experiences.

The challenge drew on specially selected books, media, articles, and websites—all selected from our two larger and comprehensive anti-racism resource guides: Anti-Racism: A Starter’s Guide and Countering Anti-Black Sentiments. Most of the activities that participants completed were related to the themes "How We Got Here" and "Taking Action."

Support for teachers

During the pandemic, educators and students gained access to new ways to use their library. A few examples: we added mobile WiFi hotspots, laptops, and iPads for those who lack internet and computers at home; expanded access to resource delivery to schools and daycares; and added more hands-on learning kits for checkout, including Social Emotional Learning Kits and Early Learning Kits (pictured).

In the fall, we surveyed Oak Park teachers, daycare providers, school administrators, and education partners to learn more about how we can best serve our educators through resources and beneficial services that support them and their students. Based on the survey results, our librarians continue to look for ways to better support educators and collaborate with schools in 2022 and beyond.

“I appreciated the inclusion of aspects of Black culture and the contributions of Black people, not only focusing on the barriers that Black people are facing.” (Participant in Anti-Racism Resource Challenge, August 2021)

Make it more convenient to get materials

Lockers for 24/7 holds pickup

In January, we installed lockers inside the Main Library lobby for a safe, flexible way to check out oversized items and technology—including a new LCD projector added to the circulating tech collection in July! And in March, we installed outdoor lockers as well, to allow patrons to pick up and return materials anytime, contact-free. Learn more about using lockers at the Main Library.

Easy checkouts, better browsing

The Meescan mobile app launched in March, giving cardholders a simple way to check out items anywhere inside the library, using an Android or iOS device. And in July, a new version of the library catalog (which offers more than 10 million items from 100+ area libraries) made browsing and finding items online easier.

More home deliveries

With increased demand all year, our home delivery team was busy bringing materials to the homes of families with children under age 5, immunocompromised residents, and those ages 60 and older. We added 72 new patrons to the service in 2021 and averaged 67 deliveries per week, an increase from 2020 and 2019. In total, library staff delivered 12,188 items to 174 unique addresses in Oak Park, more than 2.5 times the amount delivered in 2019.

Thank you, Oak Park, for continuing to use your library!

To evaluate how we fulfill our mission to share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations, we collect, analyze, and share stories and data to better understand the library’s impact on our community. Below are three of the trends we found significant in 2021, plus some of the most popular titles in Oak Park last year.

More demand for home delivery

"I participate in the Home Delivery Program, it is wonderful, I'm so grateful for everyone that brings me books." (Survey respondent, May 2021)

More visits to the website

"This has been the most access to material than I've ever had before ... even when I was in college. the video connectivity (esp Kanopy), access to periodicals (e.g., NY Times, New Yorker & other material that is too expensive for me to subscribe myself) ... this is just one excellent reason to live in Oak Park!" (Survey respondent, May 2021)

Demand for digital stays high

"The books on the shelves and on the network with other libraries, and in recent years the digital library, have been a great source of enjoyment, education and discovery. One of Oak Park's greatest assets." (Survey respondent, September 2021)

Most popular titles

Some of the top circulating titles among Oak Park cardholders, in both print and digital formats:

Adults

  • Caste by Isabel Wilkerson
  • The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
  • Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
  • The Guest List by Lucy Foley
  • Bridgerton (series) by Julia Quinn

Teens

  • Grishaverse (series) by Leigh Bardugo
  • The Hate U Give and On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
  • Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
  • Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins
  • Ouran High School Host Club (series) by Bisco Hatori

Kids

  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series) by Jeff Kinney
  • Smile by Raina Telgemeier
  • The Baby-Sitters Club (graphic novels series) by Ann M. Martin & various authors
  • Dog Man (series) by Dav Pilkey
  • Wings of Fire (series) by Tui T. Sutherland

Movies/TV

  • Paw Patrol (series)
  • Silent Witness (series)
  • Minari
  • Wonder Woman 1984
  • News of the World
"The variety of publications and events available are astounding. ... I have used quite a few libraries in Indiana, Chicago, and in NY, and I feel like Oak Park does a lovely job in having materials available of all genres, in all mediums, and for all audiences. I love the Oak Park library system, the staff love their work and it shows in the services they provide the community, top notch ❤️❤️❤️ " (Survey respondent, July 2021)

Thank you, donors

A hearty thank you to the T. Kendall Hunt Family Foundation! Because of their gracious generosity, Oak Park library cardholders gained access to double the number of mobile hotspots and Chromebooks available to check out and use anywhere, anytime. With extended borrowing times, this technology brought more digital equity to Oak Park during the pandemic.

Many thanks, too, to these generous donors who gave to library endowment funds:

Bernard & Cecelia Sinkevitch Fund: Jennifer Bulls, Katharine Roller, Michael Schiffer, Marcia Walker-McWilliams

Fallon Family Library Fund: Teresa Donath, Mary Ann Sullivan

Friends of the Oak Park Public Library Fund: Jerry Antonucci, Joseph Antonucci, Kevin Burris, Laura Danly, Elizabeth Dobry, Laura Kahan, David Kindler, Donnamarie McGaw, Stuart Miller, Mary M. O'Brien, Gary Pocci, Laurene Pocci, Tazewell Rowe, Donald South, Thomas Wagner

Helen M. Harrison Endowed Book Fund: Stephanie Crawford, Deborah Graham, Gene Louise Rowe, Susan Kay Smith

Jim Madigan Oak Park Public Library Staff Education Fund: Mark Movic, Erin Schutte, Timothy Zarazan

Oak Park Public Library Capital Fund: Wallace Holder

Scoville-Hutchison Library Fund: Fon Muttamara, Ellen Pluta

Thank you, Friends

As a separate 501c3 nonprofit organization, the Friends of the Oak Park Public Library have raised funds and built valuable bridges between the library and community since 1948. Learn more about our Friends.

Scoville Circle ($1,000): Joseph & Judy Larscheid

Sustaining ($500): Michelle Barnes, Nancy Clark, Meg Herman

Benefactor ($100): Jean Louise Edwards, James Gibson, Nancy Hartman, Paul & Patricia Koko, Joseph & Judy Larscheid, Barbara Mayes, Donald Nekrosius, Katherine Pett, David Seleb, James Strait, Chet & Barbara Taranowski

Donor ($50): Robyn D'Alba, Sheila Elliott, Christine Marshall, Colleen McClowry, Anne Polaski, Kathleen Roberts, Gordon Waldron

Patron ($25): Doris & Rich Adamczewski, Kathleen Bell, Mary Noel Chavez, Doug Deuchler, Tess Donnelly, Russell Glidden, Linda Heying, Laura Hoppe, Dianne Olson, Melanie Pivarski, Ray & Barbara Sedivec, Peggy Tuck Sinko, Beth Streit, Eisa Sweis

Thank you, David!

After more than eight years as the library's executive director, David J. Seleb is retiring. His last day is February 25, 2022. Library staff and trustees thank him for his vision to turn outward, his passion for community connection, and his commitment to bold, brave leadership.

"I could not be more grateful for the time and energy David has poured into his work for our community. Oak Park is better off thanks to his service. As the board moves forward in finding our next executive director I anticipate we will cast a wide net to identify the best candidate to take the Oak Park Public Library forward in the important work we do to deliver services and support for everyone in our community." (Library Board President Matthew Fruth)

The Board of Library Trustees is currently conducting a search for the next executive director. Trustees are using regular and special board meetings to outline that process. Learn more at oppl.org/board.

Vision: Empower every voice in our community.

Mission: Share the information, services, and opportunities that fulfill Oak Park’s aspirations.

Copyright © 2022 Oak Park Public Library