Hoopla Borrowing Limit Changing

07/24/2025

Hoopla Service Update

If you’ve recently seen the message, “The collective daily borrow limit set by your library has been reached and will reset at midnight” while using Hoopla, you’re not alone.

Hoopla has become increasingly popular with Lake Bluff Public Library users—and we love that so many of you are exploring eBooks, audiobooks, movies, and more! However, this growing demand has outpaced our current digital media budget.

Book Order Delays

05/28/2025

On April 4, 2025, we shared an update about our transition to a new book vendor to improve the availability of new materials for our Library users. While this change is an important step forward, ongoing vendor backlogs—combined with continued budget cuts—have further impacted the timely arrival of new books.

In some cases, we’ve had to purchase titles at retail price due to delays with our discount vendors. This limits how many new materials we can afford to purchase and may lead to continued delays in availability.

Weeding 101

05/28/2025

By Julie Jurgens, Lake Bluff Public Library, Youth Services Librarian

Even though I grew up on a farm, I have a black thumb when it comes to plants (I’m still sad about my lack of cherry tomatoes the past two summers despite my best efforts), but thankfully when it comes to weeding books, I have much stronger skills.

Some of you might be saying, Weeding books? What does that mean? Well, that’s why I am writing to you today. 

New Committee of the Whole Format Approved

05/21/2025

The Lake Bluff Library Board is committed to making Library governance more transparent, efficient, and accessible. At the May 20, 2025 Regular Board Meeting, the Board voted to consolidate all committee meetings into Committee of the Whole meetings, beginning Tuesday, July 1, 2025. This new structure will bring every Board member together in a single, open forum—allowing you to see every stage of discussion and decision-making.

Why this change benefits our community

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Celebrating 1 in 7 Children under the age of five in the USA receives Imagination Library Books

Lake Bluff Public Library is pleased to announce that Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is now open for enrollment in Lake County, thanks to the Lake County Regional Office of Education Foundation (LCROEF). This program delivers a free, high-quality book each month to every child from birth to age five—no matter the family’s income—to foster a lifelong love of reading.

A Message from the Friends

04/14/2025

Dear Friend,

As we said in November, there has been so much change and excitement at the Lake Bluff Public Library, and it only continues in 2025. We are so excited to welcome Natalie Starosta as the new Library Director. 

The Friends of the Lake Bluff Library is a dedicated group supporting our local library in its mission to provide vital services and resources to our community. We are proud to philanthropically support Lake Bluff Library.