The community adult and teen reading program, One Book, One Oak Lawn, returns this summer at the Oak Lawn Public Library (OLPL), 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; the book 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 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,” Churchill said, “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” on Thursday, June 20, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the library. She will wear native regalia from her Ojibwa heritage and present indigenous gardening techniques, including
Sigafus looks 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,” Sigafus said. “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.”
One Book, One Oak Lawn began in 2016 and was intended to occur every two years. The 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:
•Native Plant Starter Garden, Saturday, June 15, 1 p.m., registration required.
•Beyond Starved Rock—Our Amazing Illinois State Parks, Saturday, June 15, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
•Native American Gardens—Keynote Talk, Thursday, June 20, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
•Cicadas and Backyard Bugs, Wednesday, June 26, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
•Easy Care Tips for Your Home Lawn, Wednesday, July 10, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
•Urban Birdwatching, Wednesday, July 31, 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.
For more information and a complete list of One Book programs and descriptions, call (708) 422-2990 or visit the website at olpl.org.
