Lake Forest Library weighs its service options

From day one of the Stay-at-Home Order from Illinois Governor Pritzker, Lake Forest Library staff have been discussing when and how to offer in-person services and access to physical library materials again. Our top priority is the health and safety of our staff and the residents of Lake Forest.

There are many factors to consider before reopening the Library collections to the public. The Library circulates on average 20,000+ physical items throughout the Lake Forest community each month. Unlike restaurants and retail stores which provide a one-way flow of items to the consumer, the Library's materials circulate—out to homes, back to the Library, and out again—which necessitates caution about how library materials are handled and shared.

A small number of area libraries were equipped with drive-up windows and curbside systems prior to COVID-19. The staff at these libraries are evaluating the risks and deciding on a case-by-case basis how to reopen those services and begin providing library materials to their communities. Lake Forest Library staff likewise are working to develop a curbside delivery plan that can be operated with minimal contact between library staff and pedestrians or motorists. However, as much as we want to begin providing access to physical library materials again, there continue to be unknowns about the viability of COVID-19 on surfaces that must be resolved first.

The overriding factor for the restoration of services is the risk to library staff and Lake Forest residents. Library staff need to know that we have the systems, equipment, and PPE supplies in place to reduce the risks to everyone handling and receiving library materials, which includes the public. We are currently awaiting the results of a national research project being conducted by an independent lab regarding the length of time COVID-19 remains active on various library materials. In addition, we are following guidance from the American Library Association, Centers for Disease Control, and other local organizations, as well as direction from Governor Pritzker and state and federal health officials as we develop our plans.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding as we work toward managing and reducing the risks in order to safely circulate items again. In the meantime, please continue to use the wealth of digital resources available through the library website at www.lakeforestlibrary.org/digital. We have been gratified to see the circulation of items including eBooks and streaming movies up as much as 60% in some cases. Using these digital resources until we can offer you physical materials is just one way to continue to engage with the Library while staying safe at home.

Please note that while the physical library building is closed, we are very much open. Check out our website at www.lakeforestlibrary.org for reference help, readers' advisory, and tech assistance as well as over 60 research, language, and creative databases and book and movie streaming services. We are here to help you. Stay safe and be well.