Since 2021, staff from the City of Lake Forest, CROYA, Dickinson Hall, Elawa Farm, Gorton, The History Center, Lake Forest College, Lake Forest Library, Lake Forest Open Lands, Lake Forest Parks and Rec, Lake Forest School Districts 67 and 115, and Ragdale have met every quarter to share organization highlights and plans, strengthen relationships, and identify opportunities to collaborate.
Called the Community Coalition, we gather regularly to spark ideas and strengthen our common goal of serving the Lake Forest community.
A different organization hosts the meeting each time, giving us all a chance to tour other community spaces and learn about everything on offer. From the medical equipment lending closet at Dickinson Hall and the current construction at Lake Forest High School, to the ceramics classes at the Rec Center’s Stirling Hall and the farm‑to‑table cafe at Elawa Farm, we’ve learned about so many things that make Lake Forest the amazing community it is.
This past January, the Community Coalition meeting took place at Lake Forest Library. Librarian Kate led a tour and shared the history of the beloved building and displayed art, highlighted the vast collections of items to borrow, and shared some of the fun and unexpected questions your Librarians help people answer on a daily basis (such as finding cruise ship schedules, reading off restaurant menus, and researching a company’s history of stock splits). There is always something new to discover at the Library, and it was a treat to have the other organizations here together to appreciate it.
Stay tuned for upcoming collaborations resulting from the Community Coalition!
Your Library Around Town
Did you know that in 2024, Lake Forest Library ...
- Held more than 50 off-site storytimes, visiting preschools including Dearhaven, Episcopal, First Presbyterian, Gorton, Kinderhaven, Little Scouts, Montessori, and Saint Mary’s, and other partners including Lake Forest Open Lands and Elawa Farm
- Hosted special experiences including a 3D printing class to a scouting troop and a tour of the Remisoff murals to Lake Forest Academy art students
- Donated five private storytime parties at the Library as auction prizes for local not-for-profit fundraisers
- Partnered on more than 10 events including collaborations with Dickinson Hall, Gorton, Lake Bluff Public Library, Lake Forest Book Store, Lake Forest College, and Lake Forest Open Lands
- Cohosted five book clubs with school library staff at Lake Forest High School and six book clubs with staff at Dickinson Hall
- Presented two book talks at Lake Forest Place and delivered more than 300 items to residents through the Library’s Homebound Delivery program
- Gave book talks and library info to 19 classes at Deerpath Middle School
- Issued library cards to students at Deerpath Middle School, Lake Forest High School, Lake Forest Academy, and Lake Forest College
Are you a community organization with an idea for partnering with the Library?