Frequently Asked Questions

Complete an application online or at a Library service desk, then provide verification of your Identity and Residency. Children of LF residents up to age 16 can get a card using their parent or guardian's information.

Add the library cards of your entire family to the Lake Forest Library app and they'll always be available on your device!

Verification Documents

Verifies BOTH Identity and Residency

• Driver's License with your current Lake Forest address
• State ID with your current Lake Forest address

Verifies Identity

• Driver's License or State ID
• Current School ID
• Passport

Verifies Residency

The document needs your current address and to be dated or postmarked within the past 90 days.

• Utility or phone bill
• Bank statement or pay stub
• Lease or real estate ownership or tax bill
• Homeowner's or renter's insurance policy
• Illinois Motor Vehicle Registration
• On-campus housing payment receipt
• Official mail from a government agency

If you haven't changed your library account password, it is the last 4 digits of your phone number.

Access additional help with logging in.

Items that you place on hold may not be available for immediate pick-up. Please wait for a notification that your hold is ready, or contact the Library before coming in.

Your holds are automatically checked out to you. You can find them on the northwest shelves in the Reference Room. Paper wrapped around the spines of your holds will show the first four letters of your last name.

Holdable

Books, Audiobooks, DVDs (excluding New), Video Games (excluding Switch), Music CDs

Holdable for Lake Forest Library cardholders only

Takeout Tech, New DVDs, New Video Games, Nintendo Switch Games, Magazines, Kits, Children's Board Books, Launchpads

Not Holdable

Hot Picks

If you didn't find the item you were looking for in the catalog, your Librarians can consider purchasing it for the Lake Forest Library collection or request it for you from libraries across the country.

You can have 5 items and 200 holds through interlibrary loan at a time.

Complete the form below to ask your Librarians to find an item for you.

You can also browse other libraries on your own.

• Find More Illinois (You can make your own requests.)
• WorldCat (Contact your Librarians to make requests for you.)

Contact Us

⚠️ If you are signed in, some form fields may auto-populate with your library account information. Please check and update these fields as needed.

"*" indicates required fields

Name

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Reason for contact*

Comment or questionContact Library Staff, Friends, or FoundationGet a library cardCan't find an item / Suggest a purchaseSubmit a 3D print / Request a 3D-printed assistive toolDonate to the LibrarySign up for book club servicesSign up for homebound deliveryPropose a programRequest exam proctoringRequest for reconsideration

Who to contact*

Executive Director / FoundationAssistant DirectorLibrary BoardReference Desk / Adult ServicesMedia LabTeen LibrarianChildren's Library / Youth ServicesCirculationCommunications TeamBuilding SupervisorBusiness Manager / Human ResourcesFriends of Lake Forest Library

How to contact

Please submit your info below.

Call 847-234-0636 or submit your info below.

Call 847-234-0636 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4602 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4602 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4611 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4610 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4610 or submit your info below.

Submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4606 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4615 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4619 or submit your info below.

Please submit your info below.

Call 847-234-0648 or submit your info below.

Call 847-234-0648 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4622 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4624 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4637 or submit your info below.

Call 847-810-4604 or submit your info below.

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Your Info

Your name*

Your address*

Street address Address line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

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COMMENTS or Contact a dept/position

Your comments or questions

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Get a Library Card

Visit the Library to activate full card privileges.*

In addition to a completed library card application, we need to verify your Identity and Residency.

Verifies Both: Driver's license or state ID with your current Lake Forest address

Verifies Identity: Driver's License or State ID, Current School ID, or Passport

Verifies Residency: Utility or phone bill, Bank statement or pay stub, Lease or real estate ownership or tax bill, Homeowner's or renter's insurance policy, Illinois Motor Vehicle Registration, On-campus housing payment receipt, Official mail from a government agency
(All documents need your current Lake Forest address and to be dated or postmarked within the past 90 days.)

Yes, I understand that I am applying for a temporary library card with limited privileges. Please visit the Library within 2 months to verify your identity and residency and to get your official library card.

Rules and policies*

Yes, I agree to abide by Lake Forest Library's borrowing rules and all other Library rules and policies.

Eligible non-residents

I am a City of Lake Forest employee

I am a Lake Forest College student

City employee

City department you work for*

Your City work email address*

LF College student

School address*

Street address Address line 2 City State

AlabamaAlaskaAmerican SamoaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaGuamHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaNorthern Mariana IslandsOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaPuerto RicoRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahU.S. Virgin IslandsVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingArmed Forces AmericasArmed Forces EuropeArmed Forces Pacific

ZIP code

Your anticipated graduation year*

Card reactivation*

Yes, I understand that my card needs to be reactivated at the beginning of summer and fall semesters. (Please visit the Library to re-verify your identity and residency.)

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Can't Find an Item / Suggest a Purchase

What audience is this item for?*

I don't know

Adults

Teens

Children

Title*

Author/Artist/Actor*

Edition or year

Format

Book

Audiobook

Large Type Book

eBook

Magazine

Movie

Music

Video Game

Other

Request follow-up

If available, please place this item on hold for me.

Please follow up with me about this item, but no need to place a hold at this time.

No follow-up needed.

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Media Lab Services

Lake Forest Library card number*

I would like to ...

Submit a 3D print

Request a 3D-printed assistive tool

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3D Print

Know Before You Submit*

Lake Forest Library cardholders may request one 3D print per week. There are no fees for 3D printing.

Files should be in STL or OBJ format.

Designs are printed using a single color of PLA plastic filament.

3D print designs must be smaller than 210×210×210 millimeters (8.3×8.3×8.3 inches) and cannot take more than 4 hours to print.

We will contact you when your 3D print is ready to be picked up, typically in 7 days or less.

Lake Forest Library reserves the right to refuse a 3D print request.

Yes, I have reviewed and understand the "Know Before You Submit" items.

Upload your file

Accepted file types: atl, obj, Max. file size: 15 MB.

Color

Black

Blue

Brown

Green

Orange

Red

White

Yellow

Anything else we should know about your 3D Print request?

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3D Assistance Tool

Select one assistive tool

We will contact you when your assistive tool is printed and ready to pick up. If you would like more, please submit another form. Assistive tools are devices that help people perform everyday tasks more easily, such as carrying bags or opening bottles. Our 3D print models were provided by Makers Making Change.

Bag carrier

Bottle opener

Milk carton opener

Pencil grip

Signature guide

Tube opener

Size*

Small

Medium

Large

Color

Blue

Green

Red

White

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Make a Donation

Gift amount

What is your inspiration to give? Tell us a story about why you are making this gift.

Many companies match an employee’s charitable donations. If your or your spouse's employer match gifts, enter the company name.

Further define your gift (select all that apply)

Please make my gift anonymous.

Please add my spouse to this gift.

This gift is in honor of ...

This gift is on the occasion of ...

This gift is in memory of ...

Specify the "given by" name to be used in print and digital acknowledgements.

Send an acknowledgement of the gift to ...

Spouse's name

Who is this gift in honor of?

What is this gift on the occasion of?

Who is this gift in memory of?

"Given by" name

Name to send acknowledgement

Address to send acknowledgement*

Street address Address line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

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Book Club Services

Name of your book club

Number of members in your book club*

Upcoming meeting dates*

Timeline for title requests*

Yes, I understand that at least 6 weeks' notice is required to help supply books for my meeting dates.

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Homebound Delivery

Eligibility*

Yes, I understand that delivery of library materials is available for Lake Forest residents who are currently homebound.

Delivery address*

Street address Address line 2 City

Special delivery instructions

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Exam Proctoring

Proctoring Rules*

About Proctoring
Exams are not proctored on a drop-in basis. An appointment must be made at least one week prior to the exam date.
The exam or information about the exam and proctoring procedures must be emailed or mailed to the Library.
Exams are proctored during regular library hours. The exam must be completed at least 30 minutes prior to closing.
Scheduling an exam depends upon the availability of Library staff.
The Library can accommodate print and online exams. A library computer is available for online exams, but the Library cannot install software or disable features to accommodate an exam.
The Library is not responsible for an exam that is interrupted by emergencies, power failures, or computer or internet issues.
The Library does not have private study rooms and cannot guarantee complete quiet for the duration of the test.
Library staff will monitor the exam intermittently.
The Library will return the exam by fax or scanned email. Test‑Takers may return exams via mail.
The Library reserves the right to refuse to proctor an exam that is too difficult to accommodate.

Before the exam, the test‑taker must:
Complete and submit the Request Exam Proctoring form.
Arrange for delivery of the exam or proctor password to the Library.
Contact the Library prior to the date of the exam to confirm that the exam has arrived.

On the day of the exam, the test‑taker must:
Arrive on time for the exam appointment.
Bring a photo ID.
Follow the instructions given with the exam.
Bring supplies needed for the exam.
If mailing the exam, supply a stamped return envelope, if not supplied by the testing institution.

I have read and I agree to the Proctoring Rules.

Institution giving the exam*

Course name*

Email address of professor or testing service*

Phone number of professor or testing service*

Exam title

Exam date*

MM slash DD slash YYYY

Time allowed in hours*

Format*

Paper exam

Online exam

How will the exam and information be sent to Lake Forest Library?*

Mail

Fax

Email

Does the proctor need to fill out a proctor form for the testing institution?*

Yes

No

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Propose a Program

Program name*

Program description*

Program audience(s)*

Adults

Teens

Children

Families

Audience limit*

Program length*

Program fee*

Company/Organization name

Company/Organization website

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Request for Reconsideration

Reconsideration process*

Lake Forest Library does not endorse the opinions contained in its materials. Patrons are free to enjoy, dislike, or ignore any item in the collection. However, no one is free to restrict another's use of library materials. A request to remove library materials creates legal and ethical questions for both Lake Forest Library and the community. Consequently, this issue is taken very seriously by the Library.

To initiate a request, fill out the Request for Reconsideration form fields completely. The Library Executive Director will appoint a committee to review the challenged material and prepare a written report. Until a decision is reached by the Executive Director, the item in question will remain available. Patrons who do not accept the Executive Director's decision may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees. The reconsideration process will be completed in a reasonable amount of time. Staff is available to assist in preparation of the required form.

Yes, I have reviewed the reconsideration process.

Title of work you are requesting be reconsidered*

Author/Artist/Actor*

Format*

Book

Audiobook

Video

Periodical

Other

Date of publication/production

To what in the work do you object? Please be specific. Cite pages.*

Did you read, listen to, or view the entire work?*

Yes

No

What do you feel might be the result of reading, listening to, or viewing this work?*

What item of value would you recommend be considered for the collection that would convey a similar perspective/theme of the subject matter in the work?

Please review the following documents. (Each link opens in a new tab.)*

Library Bill of Rights, opens a new window

Freedom to Read Statement, opens a new window

Freedom to View Statement, opens a new window

Public Act 103-0100, opens a new window

Yes, I have reviewed the documents.

Lake Forest Library supports the principles set forth in these documents. Do you feel your request conflicts with these principles? If not, why not?*

Additional comments

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Friends

Reason you're contacting the Friends

Comment or question

Arrange for local pick-up of a larger donation of books

Volunteer

Your comments or questions

Your address*

Street address Address line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

I would like to volunteer ...

Year-Round / Book sorting

For the book sales

On the Friends Board

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Wrap Up

Do you have an email address?*

Yes

No

Email*

Do you want to receive the Library eNews full of upcoming events, news, and more?*

Yes

No

I'm already subscribed

Preferred contact

Email

Phone

Phone*

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Lake Forest Library does not charge fines or fees with the following exceptions:

• Overdue Takeout Tech items accrue a $2/day fine. Takeout Tech items are in high demand, and therefore we need them returned promptly.
• Patrons who damage or lose items are charged the cost to replace the item. This fee can be found in the item listing in the catalog.

Each item still has a due date and cardholders are responsible for honoring the due date.

If an item is more than 14 days overdue after all renewals are exhausted, your library card is restricted and you will not be able to borrow more items. Once the item is returned, the restriction is removed.

Your library card will also be restricted if:

• Your account has accumulated fees and charges in excess of $10
• You have a lost item on your account
• Your account is associated with an account that is restricted

Lake Forest Library cardholders ages 13+ can make 1 Media Lab appointment per week. Patrons ages 13–18 can use the Media Lab only when Library staff is available.

If your library card is expired or blocked, you must resolve the issue before using the Media Lab.

Media Lab reservations are held for 15 minutes before being given up.

To make an appointment, call 847-810-4610 or complete the request form.

Make an appointment to use the Media Lab or get Tech Help

or embed libcal appointment form

Option 1

You can copy or print in the Library building using the public computers. Once your request is submitted, go to the Print Release Station to pay and use the monitor to release your print job. To print, you will need the User ID you used to sign in to the public computer.

Option 2

Use the "Princh Print from Anywhere" service to print a file from your own phone, laptop, or tablet.

Upload your document(s) and complete your request using Princh Print from Anywhere. If it prompts you to enter a printer-ID, use 107894.

Once your print request is submitted, go to a Print Release Station to pay and use the monitor to release your print job. You will need the email address you entered when you made your Princh print request.

Book Sales

Children's Book Sale

Library Foyer, during Library open hours

June 11–13, 2026

Annual Fall Book Sale

LF Rec Center, 400 Hastings Road

September 16–19, 2027

Holiday Book Bazaar

Library Foyer, during Library open hours

November 30–December 23, 2026

Board Meetings

Members of the Friends are welcome to attend the Friends Board Meeting, 9:15–11:15 am on the dates below, usually in the Library Kasian Room.

2026

April 18

June 20

August 8

October 24

2027

January 23

The Friends accept donations of gently used books, audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs. These donations are tax-deductible. Download a tax receipt. Printed tax receipts are also available at the Library back dock.

When and Where to Donate

Donations are accepted during Library open hours.

Please put your used book donations in the blue bins on the Library back dock.

Book donations are closed:

• Mid-August through the end of September
• Last week of November
• Last week of December

Desired Items

• Gently used fiction, nonfiction, and cookbooks
• Like-new books with dust jackets
• Children's books
• Collectible books
• DVDs and music CDs
• Puzzles and board games

Not Accepted

• Damaged, soiled, or musty items
• Encyclopedias
• Reader's Digest or Time Life books
• Outdated (5+ years) technical/professional books
• Library discards
• Magazines
• Video games
• VHS/Cassettes/Records

Meeting Rooms

Please visit the website or call for details, hours, and to make a reservation.

Highland Park Public Library, 847-432-0216

North Chicago Public Library, 847-689-0125

Deerfield Public Library, 847-945-3311

Waukegan Public Library, 847-623-2041

Cook Park Library in Libertyville, 847-362-2330

Notary Public

Please visit the website or call for details, hours, and to make an appointment.

The UPS Store in Lake Forest, 847-615-8122

PostNet in Lake Forest, 847-234-9422

Bank of America in Lake Forest

North Chicago Public Library, 847-689-0125

Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, 847-634-3650

Passport Services

Please visit the website or call for details, hours, and to make an appointment.

Find the acceptance facility nearest you

Lake Forest Post Office

North Chicago Public Library, 847-689-0125

Lake County Clerk's Office in Waukegan

List updated 4/22/2026

Lake Forest Library is an equal opportunity employer. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.

Open Positions

When the Library has staff openings, they are posted below and on the RAILS job board.

How to Apply

For help accessing any of these services or resources, visit a service desk, call 847-234-0636, or email your Librarians.

Support for Visiting the Library

Virtual Tour

Visually preview your visit to the Library with a self-directed Virtual Tour.

Mobility

Basic supports include automated front doors and an elevator. Proceed through the main level Fiction Room and Annex to the back of the building to locate the elevator. A wheelchair is available for in-Library use; please ask for it at a service desk.

Attending Events

Additional accommodations can be made for attending Library events. Notice should be given at least one week in advance of the event. To enable us to prepare for your visit, please visit a service desk, call 847-234-0636, or email your Librarians to let us know how we can best assist you.

Social Stories

Social Stories are designed for autistic individuals, and can also support people with anxiety or sensitivities. Our Social Stories are intended to help youth and adults feel more comfortable and confident at the Library.

Access the Social Story for the Youth & Teen Areas of the Library.

Access the Social Story for the Adult & Teen Areas of the Library.

Homebound Support

Library staff can deliver books, audiobooks, and/or DVDs to the address of any Lake Forest resident who is currently homebound and unable to come to the Library.

Sign up for Homebound Delivery.

Reading Support

Large Type Books

The Library has large type books available to borrow. A large type Reader's Digest is available for checkout. A large type New York Times Weekly is available for use in the Library. A hand-held magnifier is available at the Reference Desk for use in the Library.

Audiobooks and Braille

The Library has audiobook CDs and Playaways to borrow. Playaways are designed for simplicity with tactile buttons and an LCD screen, eliminating the need for external devices.

Browse and borrow braille books from Lake Forest Library and our partner libraries.

The National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled (NLS) is for people with temporary or permanent low vision, blindness, or a physical, perceptual, or reading disability that prevents them from using regular print materials. Our NLS Regional Library is the Illinois Talking Book and Braille Service (TBBS). Your Librarians can assist you in accessing books and magazines in audio and braille that are instantly downloadable to a personal device or delivered by mail free of charge, or you can complete a TBBS application.

Accessibility Collections

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. Categories include:

• Learning & Focus
• Mobility & Motor Skills
• Hearing & Filtering
• Vision & Perception
• Signing & Communication
• Emotions & Expression

Browse the catalog for Accessibility items to borrow.

3D-Printed Assistive Tools

The Media Lab prints bag carriers, bottle openers, milk carton openers, pencil grips, signature guides, and tube openers on demand.

Request an assistive tool.