Children with disabilities and their siblings will tend a Victory Garden at the Maze Branch library in August, harvesting herbs and vegetables and donating what they grow to Beyond Hunger, the Oak Park-based food pantry that serves more than 69,000 individuals and families a year across the Chicago area.

The garden program is one piece of a broad August slate the Oak Park Public Library published Thursday, July 30, under the banner "Learn for the fun of it."

All events are free.

Victory Garden at Maze Branch

The Supported Gardening session on Wednesday, August 19, at 3:30 p.m. is open to children with disabilities age 3 and older, along with their siblings. Each class includes reading a gardening book, tending the plot, and preparing a gluten-and dairy-free recipe from the harvest.

Visual schedules and sensory supports will be available. The program is weather permitting.

The produce that isn't turned into snacks goes to Beyond Hunger, which currently operates out of First United Church of Oak Park's basement at 848 Lake Street.

Tech, arts, and movement

The library's August calendar spans ages and interests:

For kids:

  • Explore What's Inside a Computer — Wednesday, August 5, 4 p.m., Main Library. Grades K–2 take apart a computer and reassemble it. Adult participation required.
  • Seed Art Rocks! — Wednesday, August 12, 4 p.m., Main Library. Families with kids ages 4–11 create biodegradable artworks from seeds and botanical materials with artist Shilin Hora.
  • Coding with Edison Robots — Thursday, August 13, 5:30 p.m., Main Library. Grades 3–5 program Lego-compatible robots using Scratch.
  • Nature Crafting — Friday, August 14, 2 p.m., Main Library.
  • Origami for Kids — Friday, August 21, 3:30 p.m., Main Library. Best for ages 8–11.

For teens:

  • Vibez Outside — Friday, August 28, 4–5:30 p.m., Main Library. Games, music, and space to connect for middle and high school students.

For adults:

  • Adult Improv — Tuesday, August 11, 7 p.m. at Maze Branch; Tuesday, August 25, 7 p.m. virtually.
  • Cricut Workshop: Summer Reading T-Shirt — Thursday, August 20, 6:30 p.m., Main Library. Bring a cotton or polyester shirt and a list of books read this summer to design and press a custom reading-list tee.
  • Introduction to Salsa Dancing — Saturday, August 22, 11 a.m., Main Library. Led by DeSueño Dance; no partner required.
  • Sound Bath Meditation — Wednesday, August 26, 3 p.m., Main Library. Guided meditation with crystal and Tibetan singing bowls.

All ages:

  • Scrabble Club — Tuesday, August 11, 1 p.m., Main Library.

Digital resources

Cardholders also have access to Creativebug's 1,000-plus video craft classes, LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages, and streaming courses through Kanopy and Hoopla.

How to sign up

Registration for individual programs is available at oakpark.librarycalendar.com.