Events FAQ

You don’t need a library card or to live in Lake Bluff to attend our Library events. Most programs are free and open to the public. Some online events are restricted by third-party agreements, and in those cases, you may be asked to enter your location information to confirm eligibility.

Many Library events require registration for space limitations, materials preparation, or for distributing Zoom links or recordings. Events requiring registration will be labeled as such on all publications and on the individual event page on our Programming Calendar.

Events with registration hosted by Lake Bluff Public Library:

1. Find the event on our Programming Calendar. You can scroll through all upcoming events or use the search bar at the top of the page to locate a specific event. 

2. Click on the event’s title to open the individual event page.
3. Look for the blue “Begin Registration” button below the event details. If you are registering multiple people together, select the total number of people attending before clicking on “Begin Registration.”
4. Complete the registration form with your information and click the blue “Register” button at the bottom of the form.
5. You will receive a confirmation email of your registration from alerts@mail.libcal.com to the email address you entered. Please check that you received the email – an incorrect email address or emails going to your spam folder can result in missing important event updates or information such as Zoom links.

Events with registration hosted by a third party:

1. Find the event on our Programming Calendar. You can scroll through all upcoming events or use the search bar at the top of the page to locate a specific event. 

Check for a confirmation email from the third-party. Most third-party registrations, particularly for Zoom events, will send a confirmation email.

Click on the event’s title to open the individual event page.

Look for a blue hyperlink in the event description that includes “Register” or “Registration” and click to open registration.

Follow the steps on the third-party registration page to enter your information and submit your registration. 

Please be considerate of Library staff and other members of the public by cancelling your registration in advance if you will not be attending the event. You can cancel your registration using the link provided in your confirmation email or contact the Library for assistance. Note: If you booked multiple seats and wish to cancel part but not all of your registration, do not use the link provided – contact the Library.

On the event’s page, there are icons to the right of the event title. Click the calendar icon to download an .ics file compatible with Apple Calendar and Outlook. Click the G+ icon to add the event to your Google calendar. For events with registration, your confirmation email will include an .ics file compatible with Apple Calendar and Outlook.

You must register for the event to receive the Zoom link to a program, whether it is hosted by the Lake Bluff Public Library or via a third party. Zoom links are typically included in your confirmation email after registering. For Lake Bluff Public Library hosted Zoom events, the Zoom link will also be included in your reminder email that is typically sent one day before the event.

There will be a statement on the event’s page that the event will be recorded and how and when that recording will be available. If recording is not mentioned in the event’s description, the event will not be recorded.

We understand that recordings can make programs more accessible and convenient. While we do record select events when possible, we’re not able to record everything. A few key factors guide this decision:

• Copyright law: Some presentations include copyrighted materials that can’t legally be recorded or shared.
• Presenter livelihood: Many speakers rely on paid appearances as part of their income. Sharing recordings can affect their ability to earn a living.
• Technology limitations: Not every event or space is suited to high-quality recording, and technical challenges can affect the final product.
• Staff time and resources: Recording, editing, and publishing programs requires significant staff resources.
• Low interaction with recordings: In many cases, recordings receive far fewer views than the number of people who attend live.

When we have permission and the resources to do so, we’re glad to share recordings of select programs.

At this time, we do not offer hybrid events. Running a successful program for both in-person and online audiences requires specialized technology, reliable connectivity, and dedicated staff to manage each experience simultaneously.

It can be difficult to create an engaging, equitable experience for both groups, and we’ve found that many programs — especially interactive ones — work best face-to-face. We also see lower in-person attendance when a virtual option is available.

Instead, we design each event specifically for either in-person or online participation so we can provide the best possible experience in that format.

Age guidelines help us create the best possible experience for participants. Programs are designed with specific audiences in mind, and the content, pacing, and activities are tailored to that age group. Some events also require particular skill levels, attention spans, or background knowledge, and age-specific programs encourage connection among peers in a safe, supportive, and developmentally appropriate environment.

If you see a program you’d like offered for a different age group, we welcome your feedback. Please submit a suggestion through our online comment form — we’re always interested in hearing from our community.

Some programs are designed for children and their caregivers to participate together; these are indicated by the age range for the event including the phrase “with an adult.” Other events are intended for the child to participate independently. For children under 8, a caregiver must remain in the library building during the event, in accordance with our Safe Child Policy.