The Lake Bluff Public Library Board is seeking to appoint a new Trustee starting in May 2025! This appointment will be for a two-year term, with the appointee required to run in the 2027 election to retain their seat for the remaining two years of the full four-year term.

As a Trustee, you’ll help guide the Library, engage in strategic discussions, and shape its future. The Library is a vibrant community center dedicated to enhancing knowledge, fostering civic engagement, and expanding access to resources. Our Board upholds core values like accountability, accessibility, intellectual freedom, and diversity.

If you’re committed to these principles and want to make a difference in the community, we encourage you to apply!

Appointment Process:

• April 1 – 13: The appointment application opens. Submissions are due by April 13.
• April 15: The Board reviews applications and selects finalists. All applicants will be notified of their status.
• May 20: The Board conducts finalist interviews in a closed session during the regularly scheduled Board meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the Library’s Spruth Room. The Board will extend an appointment offer, and the selected finalist will be sworn in alongside other new trustees at the same meeting.

Application Requirements:

Interested applicants should submit a resume and responses to the following questions:

1. Why are you applying to serve on the Lake Bluff Public Library Board?
2. Briefly describe your background and qualifications for the Board.
3. What do you see as the most pressing issues before this Board?
4. Select one issue of concern before the Board and explain how you would seek to address it:
   • Finances: About 95% of the Library’s operating budget comes from property taxes, with limited options for increasing revenue. Additional funds are needed for building and operational needs. Lake Bluff Library receives a lower percentage of property taxes compared to other libraries in similar communities (2.5% vs. up to 6.0%).
   • Building: The Library’s aging building faces climate control issues, space constraints, and accessibility challenges. Last winter, the Library was forced to close multiple days due to unsafe temperatures. Budget constraints have prioritized safety-related projects, delaying modernization efforts.
   • Community Engagement: The Library values its relationships with the Village of Lake Bluff, the History Museum, and School District 65. Strengthening these connections and diversifying community engagement efforts are priorities, particularly as community input and support will be essential for addressing financing and building needs.

To apply or for more information, contact the Board.

Application Deadline: April 13, 2025