This year has brought so much change and excitement to the Lake Bluff Public Library. As the Friends of the Lake Bluff Library, we are dedicated to supporting our local library in its mission to provide vital services and resources to our community. The library is a gem in our community and is facing financial needs as our community grows.

In past years, your generous donations have enabled us to make significant improvements to the library, including purchasing new furniture and updating computer stations, funding the summer reading programs and supporting various community events for the library, all of which have greatly enhanced the experience for our patrons. We are deeply grateful for your ongoing support, which has allowed us to keep the library a welcoming and valuable space for everyone.

However, in recent months, maintenance challenges of an aging building, budget limitations and operational demands have resulted in the need for even more urgent support. The infrastructure needs are significant, particularly in bringing the building up to ADA standards and ensuring the safety and security of both the staff and the public. Due to budget shortfalls, the operating hours and staffing levels have seen significant decreases in the past year as well. We know the community would love to see the library able to extend these services again. Improving these issues can help to ensure that we continue to provide a safe, comfortable, and functional environment for our community to visit.

To help address these pressing needs, we are reaching out to ask for your help once again. Your continued support through an annual donation will be essential to helping us fund these much-needed repairs, while also allowing us to maintain the high level of service that our patrons rely on. In addition, donations will also continue to support library programs for youth and adults, and maintaining comfortable spaces for people to enjoy studying, reading, and gathering at the library.

We realize donations alone cannot fund every need of the library but want to be transparent about the challenges our library is currently facing. Our library exists today because of the unwavering support of our incredible Lake Bluff community. You may be surprised to know that only 2.5% of your tax bill goes to the Lake Bluff Library while other suburban Chicago libraries receive as much as 6.0%. Your generosity has always been a cornerstone of the Lake Bluff Library’s success, and we hope we can count on your support once more. Every contribution, no matter the size, will make a direct impact to the library, its patrons and our community. Together, we can ensure the library remains a vibrant and valuable asset for everyone.

We hope you’ll take a moment to support us today by making a philanthropic gift to the Friends. Additionally, don’t forget to check if your company matches gifts.

Thank you for considering our request, and for your continued commitment to strengthening our community through your support of the library. If you have any questions or would like more information, please feel free to reach out to the Friends.

With sincere gratitude,

The Friends of the Lake Bluff Library
Margaret Abel, Claire Abrahamson, Mary Dahlmann, Edye Draegert,
Brittany Dressler, Wendy Engelland, Cris Graham, Eva Javier, Ken Kasel, Linda Kennett,
Eileen Laack, Liz Mayer, Missy Romanoff, and Ruth Schnell