Blog

image of "Congrats to "Picture a Library Contest" winner Monica C."

Announcing the Picture a Library Contest winner

From November 2022 through February 2023, we invited you to "picture a library" with us by doing one of the following with a written entry about your submission: Take a photo of a library you see or visit on your upcoming travels. Find a photo of a library you love and share it with us. Dr...

Baseball Reading Recommendations

Opening Day is almost here! Spring training is well underway, and the official start of baseball season is on March 30th. Get ready for the season with this collection of titles on national and local baseball history. More titles can be found in the 796.357 section of the library's nonfiction collec...

image of "Building Committee Members in front of the Lake Forest Library building"

2023 Dome Work Updates

Thank you for your interest in the Lake Forest Library dome. This blog post will be updated as repair work on the dome progresses.

Dome repairs to begin at Lake Forest Library

March 8, 2023 – LAKE FOREST Ill – On August 10, 2022, the Lake Forest Library Board approved prioritizing repair and restoration work on the dome and interior rotunda as a first step of the Capital Improvement Project to enhance and revitalize the Library. Work on the dome begins in March 2023, and Lake Foresters can expect to see scaffolding as soon as March 9. Scaffolding and construction are expected to have minimal impact on Library services and building access. For updates, please stay tuned to www.lakeforestlibrary.org/dome.

Celebrating 125 Years of Your Library

On July 4, 1898, Lake Forest Library was chartered by Mayor Gorton and City Council. Join us in honoring our 125th year! We invite you to ... Save the date for signature celebrations listed below, plus more to come! Dive into digital archives by searching for the phrase "Lake Forest ...

Black History Month Reading, Watching, and Listening Recommendations

February is Black History Month, and to celebrate we put together a list of books, movies, and podcasts that chronicle Black history in the United States. We hope you enjoy these works or learn something from them.

Enjoy Acorn TV on Hoopla!

Hoopla is one of Lake Forest Library's most popular apps for eBooks, eAudiobooks, TV, and movies. And now Hoopla is even better, thanks to the addition of exciting new content: Acorn TV! Enjoy some of your favorite British series on your phone or tablet, including "The Brokenwood Mysteries," "Dar...

image of "2023 Scholarships are now available"

(Application period closed) Now Accepting Applications for 2023 Friends Scholarships

Each spring, the Friends award $2,000 scholarships to up to three graduating high school seniors who demonstrate a passion for reading. Students from Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, and Knollwood are eligible to apply. The Friends of Lake Forest Library inaugurated this scholarship in 2003 to recognize stu...

Announcing the 2023 Featured Book RBR image

Announcing the Fifth Annual READ BETWEEN THE RAVINES Featured Title

Join us this coming spring for Read Between the Ravines, the joint nonfiction reading program between Lake Forest and Lake Bluff libraries! We are pleased to announce this year's featured book: "An Indian Among Los Indígenas: A Native Travel Memoir" by Ursula Pike. Events kick off at both libr...

22 True Crime Tales from 2022

Lock the doors, turn off the lights, and get ready to be spooked with these new releases. For more true crime books, check out the book display in the library rotunda!

Lake Forest Library Board appoints David Seleb as Interim Director

December 16, 2022 – LAKE FOREST Ill – The Lake Forest Library Board announced at its December 13 meeting the appointment of David J. Seleb as Interim Library Director. Seleb will take over in early January 2023 from Catherine A. Lemmer, who is retiring after having served as Executive Director since May 2016.

Lake Forest Library named a 4-Star Library by Library Journal

December 12, 2022 – LAKE FOREST Ill – Lake Forest Library earned a 4-Star Library designation in the 15th edition of the Library Journal Index of Public Library Service 2022. The LJ Index spotlights the best of the best across America by rating U.S. public libraries on selected per capita output measures such as circulation, library visits, resource use, and program attendance.

Image of "Lake Forest Library Card Holders from Outreach events at LF Academy and College"

Cheers to a Year of Celebrating Library Card Holders

This year of newsletters celebrated people who signed up for new Lake Forest Library cards, including City of Lake Forest employees, long-time Lake Foresters and new library users, and families who recently moved to town. In many cases, people visit the Library to get their card. (Maybe they kic...

The Best Books of the Year to Read and Gift

Books are great, versatile gifts to give family and friends! Here are a few of your librarians' favorites from this year. Add them to your to-be-read list or consider sharing the joy of reading with someone else this holiday season and supporting your local bookstore. All titles are linked to the li...

Support the Library Endowment

Lake Forest Library was built on philanthropy. Mrs. Charles H. Schweppe and Mrs. Stanley Keith provided the funding for the construction of the 1931 building, which commemorates Mrs. Keith’s first husband, Kersey Coates Reed. The Reed Family has continued to give throughout the years, ensuring the b...