Databases

Database Type
A | B | C | E | F | G | H | I | K | L | M | N | O | P | R | S | T | V | W
Ancestry Library Edition

GO TO ANCESTRY for in-library use only.

What you can do with it

Search family histories using census, marriage, birth, death, and military records from North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia, and more. International records continue to grow.

User Guide

Watch a tutorial

City of Lake Forest Laserfiche Portal

GO TO CITY LASERFICHE.

What you can do with it

Access thousands of pages of historical City of Lake Forest public documents including agendas, minutes, ordinances, and resolutions.

How to access

Works in the browser on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets
Works in computer browser
Cloud Library logo

eBooks · eAudiobooks

GO TO CLOUDLIBRARY.

What you can do with it

Borrow eBooks and eAudiobooks, especially new and recently published titles.

User Guide

Get started with the cloudLibrary app

Amount

5 checkouts at a time

Loan Period

2 weeks

How to access

App available, search for "cloudlibrary" in your app store
Works on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets, Kindle Fire, Nook ... just install the app
Works in computer browser
No, does not work on Kindle eInk reader
Consumer Reports logo

GO TO CONSUMER REPORTS.

What you can do with it

View expert ratings, articles, and buying guides from Consumer Reports magazine, which includes evaluations of hundreds of products from appliances to cars to electronics.

User Guide

Watch a tutorial

Creativebug logo

GO TO CREATIVEBUG.

What you can do with it

Choose from more than 1,000 award-winning art and craft video classes taught by recognized design experts and artists.

User Guide

Get started with the Creativebug app

How to access

App available, search for "creativebug" in your app store
Works on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets ... just install the app
Works in computer browser
Freegal Music logo

Music

GO TO FREEGAL.

What you can do with it

Stream and download Sony Music songs to keep forever.

User Guide

Get started with the Freegal app

Amount

Unlimited streaming

3 downloads per week

How to access

App available, search for "freegal" in your app store
Works on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets ... just install the app
Works in computer browser
Hoopla and Hoolpa Kids logos

Movies & TV · eBooks · eAudiobooks · eComics · Music

GO TO HOOPLA.

What you can do with it

Borrow and stream movies, music, eBooks, eAudiobooks, comics, and TV shows.

Some special collections

  • Enable Kids Mode to display only kid-appropriate content
  • Hallmark movies
  • Acorn TV
  • The Great Courses eAudiobooks

User Guide

Get started with the Hoopla app

Amount

  • 7 Instant Borrows per month (total for Hoopla plus Hoopla Kids Mode)
  • Borrow more from special collections using a BingePass and Bonus Borrows.

Loan Period

3 weeks for eBooks, eAudiobooks, and Comics
3 days for Movies and TV shows
1 week for Music

How to access

App available, search for "hoopla" in your app store
Works on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets ... just install the app
Works in computer browser
Works with Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku
No, does not work on Kindle eInk reader
Kanopy and Kanopy Kids logos

Movies & Documentaries

GO TO KANOPY.

What you can do with it

Watch a wide range of on-demand streaming videos.

Some special collections

  • Enable Kids Mode to display only kid-appropriate
  • The Criterion Collection
  • Documentaries
  • Foreign films
  • Classic cinema
  • The Great Courses videos

User Guide

Get started with the Kanopy app

Amount

10 per month (total for Kanopy plus Kanopy Kids)

How to access

App available, search for "kanopy" in your app store
Works on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets ... just install the app
Works in computer browser
Works with Android TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Fire TV, and Roku
Libby, Digital Library of Illinois, OverDrive logos

eBooks · eAudiobooks · eMagazines · eComics · Videos

GO TO LIBBY / Digital Library of IL.

What you can do with it

Borrow from a vast collection of eBooks, eAudiobooks, and eMagazines.

User Guides

Get started with the Libby app

How to Download eBooks to a Kindle

Amount

  • 10 eBook/eAudiobook checkouts at a time
  • No limit on eMagazines

Loan Period

7, 14, or 21 days (you choose in Settings or when checking out an item)

How to access

App available, search for "libby" in your app store
Works on iOS, Android, smartphones, tablets, Kindle Fire, Nook ... just install the app
Works on Kindle eInk readers ... just choose Kindle format when checking out an item
Read or listen to titles on a computer with an internet browser by visiting the Digital Library of Illinois
The New York Times Unlimited

Access the digital edition

The first time you access a NYT digital edition product, you will be prompted to create a free account. Use your account to log in to NYT Unlimited, Cooking, Games, and The Athletic.

GO TO THE NEW YORK TIMES UNLIMITED for in-library use. As long as you don't log out, you can reconnect seamlessly as many times as you wish.

GO TO THE NEW YORK TIMES UNLIMITED for use outside Lake Forest Library. Using this offsite link gives you 72 hours of access. Once your session has expired, return to the Lake Forest Library website and select the offsite link again to start a new 72-hour session.

What you can do with it

Enjoy full subscriber-level access to NYTimes.com. Read articles as originally published from 1851 to the present, as well as access TimesMachine, an interactive digital reproduction of NYT as it appeared in print from 1851 to 2002. Customize your experience by saving and sharing articles, exploring email newsletters, following favorite topics, and downloading apps. Mandarin and Spanish editions available.

The New York Times Games

Access the digital edition

The first time you access a NYT digital edition product, you will be prompted to create a free account. Use your account to log in to NYT Unlimited, Cooking, Games, and The Athletic.

GO TO THE NEW YORK TIMES GAMES. Using this link gives you 24 hours of access. Once your session has expired, you can return to the Lake Forest Library website and select this link again to start a new 24-hour session.

What you can do with it

Enjoy all your favorite NYT games and puzzles for all ages, including the Crossword, Ken Ken, Spelling Bee, Sudoku, Tiles, Vertex, and more.

The New York Times Cooking

Access the digital edition

The first time you access a NYT digital edition product, you will be prompted to create a free account. Use your account to log in to NYT Unlimited, Cooking, Games, and The Athletic.

GO TO NEW YORK TIMES COOKING. Using this link gives you 24 hours of access. Once your session has expired, return to the Lake Forest Library website and select this link again to start a new 24-hour session.

What you can do with it

Become a better, more competent cook with help from this inspirational cooking guide, innovative and interactive kitchen tool, and diverse recipe collection.

The Athletic from The New York Times

Access the digital edition

The first time you access a NYT digital edition product, you will be prompted to create a free account. Use your account to log in to NYT Unlimited, Cooking, Games, and The Athletic.

GO TO THE ATHLETIC. Using this link gives you 24 hours of access. Once your session has expired, return to the Lake Forest Library website and select this link again to start a new 24-hour session.

What you can do with it

Enjoy in-depth sports coverage of your favorite teams and leagues, including breaking news, live commentary, exclusive interviews, podcasts, and more.

Niche Academy

GO TO NICHE ACADEMY.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH IT
Learn how to use popular digital resources and applications including Hoopla, Libby (OverDrive), Consumer Reports, NoveList, and more.

Value Line

GO TO VALUE LINE.

What you can do with it

Explore investment research information including online versions of the Value Line Investment surveys, the mutual fund survey, and more.

User Guide

Watch a tutorial