At the Lake Bluff Public Library Board of Trustees meeting on Tuesday, September 17, Trustees voted unanimously to extend the current Hours Pilot an additional six months through March 31, 2025. The Library’s Hours Pilot was originally launched on January 1, 2024 with the goal of aligning the Library’s operating hours with current staffing levels, building usage trends, and budgetary challenges. For more details, visit the Library’s Hours Pilot FAQ page.

Library Pilot Hours through March 31, 2025:

• Mondays 10-6 pm
• Tuesdays 10-6 pm
• Wednesdays 10-6 pm
• Thursdays 10-8 pm
• Fridays 10-5 pm
• Saturdays 10-5 pm
• Sundays CLOSED

During the September 17 Board Meeting, former Library Director Renee Grassi shared, “The Library’s recommendation to the Board is to extend the Modified Hours Pilot at least six months. This would support our existing staffing model, as we are currently onboarding several new employees. Right now, we have two part time positions vacant, we are onboarding a third position later this month, and in October, our full time Reference and Circulation Manager will depart accepting a position at another library. This is a time of fluctuation of our Library. All organizations go through periods of rebuilding. An extension of the existing pilot would allow our Library to focus on regaining operational stability.”

Trustees discussed the matter at length, weighing community needs and operational challenges. Citing a difficult decision, the Board ultimately chose to continue the reduced hours due to ongoing staffing challenges and low building usage patterns.

The extended schedule will be reassessed in six months. The Library will continue to gather data on building usage and community needs, and this data will be presented to the Board of Trustees at monthly Board meetings to inform future decisions.

For more information on the updated hours or to provide feedback, please contact David Seleb, Interim Library Director, at interimdirector@lakeblufflibrary.org.