The Top 10 Reasons to Get a Library Card

To register for a library card, just visit us with your photo ID and proof of residency. For more information on what are acceptable forms or ID and residency visit our website.

1. Books, Movies, and Music! This may seem obvious, but it can't be stressed enough. Libraries have a vast supply of best sellers, as well as series books, and nonfiction books about everything from gardening to interior decorating, cookbooks, and philosophy. Lake Forest Library also has popular new DVDs and Blu-Rays, and binge-worthy TV shows like House of Cards and Game of Thrones. We've got everything from bluegrass to hip hop to classical music available for checkout too. Librarians are also on hand to help you find materials and recommend a good book or movie.

2. eBooks, eAudiobooks, Downloadable Music and Movies A lot of people don't realize that you can download eBooks and eAudiobooks from your favorite authors for free through the Library. You don't need to pay for Audible or Kindle Books anymore. Use the Cloud Library, Overdrive, and Hoopla apps to get started today. Hoopla also offers streaming and downloadable music albums and movies. For more information about these apps, visit our website here.

 

3. Magazines and eMagazines We've got over 300 magazine subscriptions for you to enjoy. Patrons can check out back issues of magazines and browse through the newest editions in our beautiful Reading Room. Check out a wide variety of eMagazines on your tablet or phone by downloading the RB Digital app. 

 4. Tutor.com With your library card you get access to one-on-one online tutoring in math, science, English, and writing for K-12 and college students everyday from 2:00-11:00 pm. Get help for you or your child here.

 5. Lynda.com Gain access to online tutorials from the leader in technology training. Learn how to take better pictures, start a business, make a website, or become an Excel pro. If you want to learn something, there is likely a class on it available on Lynda.

 6. "With Love from Your Library" Month During the month of February when you show your library card at select local businesses you get a discount on your purchases. There are also special programs and events at the Library throughout the month.

7. Museum Adventure Pass Get discounts on entry to 17 suburban museums and destinations, including Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Botanic Garden, and Legoland. Just bring your library card to the Circulation desk to check out the passes. To see the full list of participating destinations, check out Museum Adventure's site.

 8. Media Lab If you've got a Lake Forest library card, you have free access to our Media Lab with one-on-one help from one of our attendants. Scan and edit photos, digitize movies, record a podcast, and create music with our state of the art equipment. Make an appointment online here.

9. Financial Resources Access Morningstar, Value Line, Investor's Business Daily, and Standard and Poors for all your investment needs for free with your library card. Consumers' Checkbook and Consumer Reports provide reviews on services and purchases.

10. Programs and Events We have an array of awesome programs for all ages. There's a storytime almost every day, as well as other entertaining children's programs like Cooking with Kids, Lego Club, Popeye and Sailor Trick Dog Act, and Astronomy for Everyone. We also offer a lot of great programs for Teens and Adults including a cookbook book club, fiction and nonfiction book clubs, tech classes, and special presentations like How to Live a Zen Life and a Japanese Koto music performance. Check out our calendar for more information on these and other programs.