Lake Bluff Public Library
Library Cards Free or Fee??

”Why do I have to pay for a library card when others get them free?”
“But I live in Lake Bluff - why are you charging me for a library card?”

There is still a lot of confusion and some frustration experienced by patrons who come for a library card and told there is a fee. Families living in the Lake Bluff zip code who pay library taxes to Lake Bluff Public Library may obtain a library card without an additional fee. Those who live in the Lake Bluff zip code and do NOT pay taxes for Lake Bluff Public Library or any other public library are charged a fee equal to the taxes paid by others, based on the assessed value of their property. This can vary per family from $16 to $150 or more, just as it does for those paying library taxes. To add to the confusion, some Lake Bluff families pay taxes into the North Chicago, Cook Memorial or other library districts, depending on the boundaries, and must obtain their “free” card from that library.

These changes came about two years ago when the State of Illinois passed legislation to help make library cards and services obtainable by persons who do not pay library taxes. Overall, we feel the effect has been positive. Forty-five local families pruchased library cards last year. Purchased cards are valid for one year, and can be used at MOST area libraries.

How will I know?
A good place to start is your tax bill. Look to see if you are paying taxes for a library, and if so, which one. If you are paying taxes to Cook Memorial or North Chicago Public libraries, you must first obtain a card there, and then you can use it at any library of your choice.

What if I don’t pay library taxes?
Then you may purchase a card from the library serving your unincorporated area. This, too, may be any one of three libraries, depending upon your exact address. We can help you determine which one.

How do I get a card if I don’t pay any library taxes?
Please bring an official document with you Lake Bluff address: phone bill, electric bill, driver’s license, etc. We will look on special maps and tax tables to determine your correct library. If Lake Bluff is your library, you may then purchase a library card for a fee equivalent to what taxpayers in a residence of equal value would pay. You may obtain enough cards for all members of your immediate family living at the same address for this one fee.

Please be patient while we determine the correct library and fee for your address. For some residential strees, the library of jurisdiction changes house to house! We will do our best to give you the correct information quickly!

For your convenience, we are providing some of the more common neighborhoods and their respective library districts below.

Plese stop by or call the library if you have any questions. Our number is 847-234-2540.

We look forward to serving you!

Sanctuary Annexation
These addresses pay Lake Bluff taxes. No additional charge for a card.

Lake Bluff Subdivisions paying taxes for other public libraries
Forest Point - North Chicago Public Library

Hamptons - North Chicago Public Library

Deervalley - North Chicago Public Library

Whispering Lake - Cook Memorial Library

Glenmore Woods - Cook Memorial Library

Stratford Court - North Chicago Public Library

River Drive - North Chicago Library