Oak Lawn Library Brings Back ‘One Book, One Oak Lawn’ Reading Program
Oak Lawn Library Brings Back ‘One Book, One Oak Lawn’ Reading Program (Oak Lawn, IL) — The community adult and teen reading program “One Book, One Oak Lawn” returns this summer at the Oak Lawn Public Library, located at 9427 S. Raymond Ave. Through One Book, the Library hopes to encourage community dialogue and sharing ideas by focusing on one book.
The Library selected “Nature’s Best Hope” by Douglas Tallamy as the community read, which proposes, “a new approach to conservation that starts in your yard.” Backyard conservation is an important part of Oak Lawn life, as seen in the oak trees and beloved lawns that give the village its name, plus parks and community gardens.
“Nature’s Best Hope” is available as an abbreviated paperback or an in-depth hardcover. The Library will have plenty of both versions on hand so patrons can pick the style of reading that’s best for them. Books will be available to check out on the second floor of the Library, along with a set of reading questions for anyone who would like to set up their own book discussions.
Cicadas, urban bird watching, state parks, nature crafts and native plants will be featured topics at adult, teen and senior Library programs this summer. Librarian Julia Churchill, Head of the Adult Young Adult Department, explained, “We’re bringing in experts from the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners program, the Sagawau Environmental Learning Center, and the Cook County Farm Bureau to help our patrons learn about the nature around them.”
Kim Sigafus, an author and Illinois Humanities Road Scholar, will present the keynote talk “Native American Gardens” Thursday, June 20 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Oak Lawn Public Library. She will wear native regalia from her Ojibwa heritage and present Indigenous gardening techniques such as companion planting.
Sigafus is looking forward to sharing Native Gardening traditions and native plant seeds with attendees. “I think going back to the way things were traditionally planted has some merit. I think we forget that plants are used to growing on their own, and us adding things into that mixture is sometimes not a good thing,” Sigafus said.
One Book, One Oak Lawn began in 2016 and was intended to occur every two years. OLPL is now restarting the program after a four-year hiatus caused by disruptions from the pandemic.
The Library will host the following featured programs throughout the summer:
- Seniors, Bee Safe in the Garden (registration required). Thursday, June 6, 10-11 a.m.
- Join the One Book Club and Nature Craft (registration required). Friday, June 7, 4-5 p.m.
- Native Plant Starter Garden (registration required). Saturday, June 15, 1 p.m.
- Beyond Starved Rock – Our Amazing Illinois State Parks. Saturday, June 15, 2:30-3:30 p.m.
- Native American Gardens – Keynote Talk, Thursday, June 20, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Cicadas and Backyard Bugs. Wednesday, June 26, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Easy Care Tips for Your Home Lawn. Wednesday, July 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
- Urban Birdwatching. Wednesday, July 31, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Please visit the Oak Lawn Public Library website at olpl.org for a complete list of One Book programs and descriptions, or call the Library at 708-422-2990 for more information.
Oak Lawn Library Brings Back ‘One Book, One Oak Lawn’ Reading Program
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