Blog

image of "Summer Reading for all ages: Buckets of Fun"

(Past program) Summer Reading: Buckets of Fun 2023

June 1–July 31, 2023 Summer Reading is a great way to build and reward reading habits, plus it's buckets of fun! All formats count: You can read printed books, read aloud to youngsters, and listen to audiobooks. All ages count: You can participate from birth onward. We love when the who...

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 ...

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...

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...

New Tech Equipment: Laptops & Hotspots

Borrow a Laptop for in-library use Laptops can now be borrowed for use anywhere inside the Library! These laptops are available in addition to public desktop computers in the Reference and Business Rooms. With both the laptops and desktop computers, you can: Use programs in the Microsoft Suite...

image of "Announcing the Winners of the Spooky Story Writing Contest"

Read the Winning Spooky Stories from the October Writing Contest!

Thank you to all the kids and teens who submitted spooky stories to our writing contest! It was a great way to celebrate the Halloween and Fall seasons. In addition to a gift card to Lake Forest Book Store, winners of the Library's Spooky Story Writing Contest get their submissions posted on the ...

image of "putting together the new adapted books in the Kasian Room of the Children's Library"

Introducing Adapted Books to the Accessibility Collection

We are pleased to offer Adapted Books as part of the Accessibility Collections. Adapted Books are picture books that have been modified to be more accessible to pre‑readers and individuals with special needs. As a result, readers can better engage with and communicate about the stories, making the...

2022 Bookmark Design Contest Winners

Thank you to everyone who submitted entries to the 2022 Bookmark Design Contest! Everyone's artwork was a wonderful example of "Reading Beyond the Beaten Path," this year's Summer Reading theme. Congratulations to the winners in each age group! Winners Anabella Lockhart, Sophia Booma, Addy Col...

Highland Park Strong

Our hearts and thoughts are with our friends and neighbors in Highland Park who suffered the tragic mass shooting on July 4, 2022. We condemn hatred and violence and wish everyone comfort during this difficult time. Lake Forest Librarians compiled local resources to support our communities....

Introducing the Youth and Adult Accessibility Collections

Items in the new Accessibility Collections for Youth and Adults are now available to borrow. The goal of the Accessibility Collections is to support Library users of all ages, abilities, and diverse learning and development needs to be successful in the Library and the community. The collection...

Lake Forest Library awards President's Volunteer Service Awards to two teens

June 15, 2022 – LAKE FOREST Ill – Lake Forest Library was honored to present President's Volunteer Service Awards to two Lake Forest teens for outstanding service to our community.

The Buzz on a Pollinator Garden & Pollinator Week

Thank you to everyone who completed our survey on a possible pollinator garden at the Library. We appreciated your ideas, which included creating a showcase educational garden, starting the plants from seed, inviting the community to help with planting, and more. All of your feedback will help the L...

Summer Reading For All Ages June 1-August 31 event image

(Past program) Summer Reading Beyond the Beaten Path 2022

June 1–August 31, 2022 Join your friends and neighbors to "read beyond the beaten path." You can: Read or listen to books in new places, such as while camping in your backyard or basking at the beach. Choose a new genre or topic or author. Join a book group or attend an author talk at t...

Friends of the Lake Forest Library Children's Book Sale image

(Past event) The Children’s Book Sale returns this June!

The Children’s Book Sale is returning! Browse and purchase a wide selection of gently‑used, bargain‑priced children’s books, just in time for Summer Reading Beyond the Beaten Path, road trips, and family vacations! Stop by the Children’s Book Sale in the Library Foyer Thursday, June 9
9...

Hearing from You: patron Officer Miniscalco image

Celebrating New Library Card Holders

We’re showcasing something special on the cover of each issue of the newsletter this year: first-time Lake Forest Library card holders! Thank you to everyone who stopped by the Lake Forest Library table during the December 2021 West Train Station Saturday Market and chatted with us, completed a s...