Lake Forest Library to close temporarily at 5:00 pm on March 14

UPDATE: As of March 30, 2020, Lake Forest Library will remain temporarily closed until further notice. Programs are currently cancelled through April 15. Due dates are extended, and the Library is not accepting any returns at this time. Librarians and staff are available to answer questions via the website contact form, emails to reference@lakeforestlibrary.org, and voicemails at 847.810.4610.

Lake Forest Library is canceling all programs and temporarily closing the building to public access starting at 5:00 pm on Saturday, March 14, until in support of COVID-19 prevention efforts. We will offer restricted services Monday–Saturday, March 16–31. This decision follows our ongoing conversations with the City of Lake Forest, local health officials, and the announcement that Lake Forest schools will be closed through April 3.

These safety measures are being taken out of concern for the health and safety for our community, not due to any known exposure. All Library users registered for canceled programs are being notified. The Library will extend due dates on all currently checked out materials until April 1. Patrons do not need to return anything while the building is closed.

As of today, we plan to reopen on Wednesday, April 1. We will continue to monitor the situation and reassess as more information becomes available.

Closing the Library is an extraordinarily difficult decision that we have made only because of these extraordinary circumstances. The health and safety of our patrons and staff is our first priority. According to the CDC, early actions to increase social distancing—isolating people and canceling gatherings—are the best way to contain the spread of COVID-19 and help "flatten the curve" of new COVID-19 cases to keep the healthcare system from becoming overwhelmed. We feel that closing the Library is the best way to protect the health of our community at this time. While we are closed, we will carry out extra cleaning and disinfecting of the building.

"We understand that the Library is a valuable resource at all times, but especially in times of uncertainty," said Library Director Catherine Lemmer. "We are committed to being available in all ways possible that do not conflict with the safety of our staff or Library users."

In an effort to support the practice of social distancing, we encourage Library users to:

• UPDATE: Holds and ILLs are no longer available at this time.
  Place holds on items and call the Library at 847-234-0636 to pick up your holds at the back dock. This new, temporary service will be available starting Monday, March 16. Through the end of the month, holds can be picked up Monday–Friday, 10:00 am–6:00 pm, and Saturday, 10:00 am–5:00 pm. Hold pickups will not be available on Sundays.
• UPDATE: The DVD2GO machine is no longer available for patrons to check out or return discs. All due dates are extended.
  Use the DVD2GO machine at the West Train Station, which is available when the train station is open.
• UPDATE: Homebound Delivery is no longer available at this time.
  If it is appropriate and necessary for your situation, request Homebound Delivery service at www.lakeforestlibrary.org/homebound.
• Call or email the Library to ask our professional staff for factual information about COVID-19 or any other topic, as usual.
• Stay connected with the Library on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more ideas for things to do with your library card, and ways to stay healthy and happy during this complicated time.

The Library will promptly update the public of any further changes to services.

Please visit the Library's communication regarding COVID-19 at www.lakeforestlibrary.org/covid19.