New Catalog Coming April 17

Visit the Library Catalog

As of April 2018, Lake Forest Library has a new catalog system called Polaris!

For assistance using the catalog, stop by the Reference Desk or call 847.234.0636.

New features include:

  • Pick up holds at any of the libraries in our consortium
  • Enjoy automatic renewal of items
  • Enable new notifications options, including text

Timeline and How to Prepare

By April 13

  • Export your reading history to save it.
    We can email it to you, just enter your account login information using the export reading history tool.
  • Download your catalog lists. Here's how:
    1. Log into My Account and click My Lists at the top.
    2. You have to save the lists one at a time. Click a list name, then use the checkbox next to the "Select an Action" dropdown to select all items in the list.
    3. Alternatively, you may select a subset of items using the individual checkboxes with each item.
    4. In Select an Action, choose Email or Print. If you select email, will be prompted for an email address and subject heading.

April 14–16

  • You can still check out items
  • Bring your library card to checkout
  • No items will be due
  • "My Account" features will be unavailable
  • Catalog results may be inaccurate. To make sure items are on the shelf, call 847.234.0636.

April 17

  • New catalog is live
  • Log in with your existing PIN, entered in all CAPS. You can also ask us to help you set a new PIN.
  • Replace your previous browser bookmarks to the catalog with the new url

Important! Make sure you ...

Export your reading history

Have your reading history sent straight to your email. It's easy to do! Use the export reading history tool.

Download your lists

  • Log into My Account and click My Lists at the top.
  • You have to save the lists one at a time. Click a list name, then use the checkbox next to the "Select an Action" dropdown to select all items in the list.
  • In "Select an Action," choose Email or Print. If you select Email, you will be prompted for an email address and subject heading.

Your reading history and lists WILL NOT automatically migrate to the new catalog system. If you don't save them, they will be lost.