Card Types

Resident Cards (Incorporated Lake Bluff)

Resident Cards are issued to individuals residing at incorporated Lake Bluff properties that are taxed for library services by the Village of Lake Bluff. Incorporated Lake Bluff includes the Sanctuary and Tangly Oaks. Resident cards are issued for periods of three years.

Non-Resident Cards (Unincorporated Lake Bluff and Knollwood)

Non-resident cards are issued to individuals residing at unincorporated Lake Bluff and Knollwood properties that are not taxed for library services by any taxing body. Non-resident cards may be purchased for an annual fee equivalent to what the property would pay in taxes for library services. Payments can be made by cash or check at the front desk or by credit card online.

Not sure if you're eligible for a Non-Resident Card? Look up your street on our list of Library Service Areas by Lake Bluff Address or check your property tax bill. We also have a section about Non-Resident Cards on our  FAQ page. Feel free to contact the Library with any questions.

If you have a child attending Lake Bluff Elementary School, Lake Bluff Middle School, Lake Forest High School, or Forest Bluff School, your child may be eligible for a free library card through the Intergovernmental Agreement Cards program (see that section below).

Reciprocal Cards (Other Communities)

If you have a library card in good standing issued by another Illinois public library, you can register your card at Lake Bluff for reciprocal borrowing privileges. Reciprocal cards are issued for a period of time determined by the home library. You must bring your library card with you to the Lake Bluff Library when you come to register it.

Some unincorporated Lake Bluff properties are taxed for library services by neighboring library districts. Residents of these properties must obtain their library card from the library that their property taxes support. Once the card has been issued, it may be registered at Lake Bluff as a reciprocal card.

Business/Institutional Cards

Businesses and institutions in the Lake Bluff community may register for a business/institutional card if they meet the following requirements:

• The business/institution owner or authorized representative must provide a letter on official letterhead stating that the business/institution accepts financial responsibility for fines, fees, and replacement costs associated with the card.
• The business/institution owner or authorized representative must complete a Business/Institutional Card Application.
• The business/institution owner or authorized representative must provide a list of individuals who are authorized to use the business/institutional card.
• Business/institutional Cards are valid for one year. To renew them, the business/institution owner or authorized representative will need to confirm contact information and provide the Library with an updated letter and list of authorized employees.
• Businesses/institutions located in unincorporated Lake Bluff and Knollwood may need to pay a non-resident fee to obtain a business/institutional card.

The following restrictions apply to business/institutional cards:

• Valid at the Lake Bluff Library only; may not be registered at another library
• Subject to standard loan periods and fine/fee schedules

Educator Cards

These cards are available to teachers and teacher's assistants who are residents of Lake Bluff, teach in Lake Bluff classrooms, or teach in a public school district that serves Lake Bluff. For more information, check out Educator Services.

Student Cards

Minors who reside in unincorporated Lake Bluff and who do not fall under the service area of another library are eligible for a free Student card. These cards are good for one year and may only be to check out items by/for the student.

• Who can get a Student Card?
  • To be eligible for a Student Card, the applicant must:
  • Be under 18 years old
  • Live in unincorporated Lake Bluff
  • Live at a property that is not within the service area of another public library

Student Cards are valid for one year and may only be used to check out materials for the student.

• Student Card Rules and Restrictions
  • Cardholders must be present at the library to check out items with their Student Card. 
  • Student Card holders may not check out Library of Things items that require a waiver.