Lake Forest Library
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1899
- HeadquartersLake Forest, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Lake Forest Library does
Lake Forest Library is a publicly chartered municipal library serving the City of Lake Forest, Illinois, founded in 1899 (current building dedicated June 7, 1931). It operates from a 1931 art deco building at 360 E Deerpath Road housing the Children's Library, Teen Space, Media Lab, Reference Services, and historic 1931 rooms (Rotunda, Friends Reading Room, Reference Room), supported by a 24/7 Library Vending Machine at the West Train Station. Its core technology stack combines a CapiraTech-powered mobile app (iOS/Android) with digital library card, ISBN scanning, and event registration; a BiblioCore Discovery Layer catalog; and third-party digital lending platforms (Libby/OverDrive, cloudLibrary, Hoopla, Kanopy, Freegal, TumbleBooks). Differentiated offerings include a Media Lab with Mac Pro workstations, Adobe Creative Suite, Bambu Lab and Prusa 3D printers, vinyl cutters, and sublimation printers; a circulating TakeOut Tech collection (cameras, gaming consoles, streaming devices, microphones, sewing machines); Beanstack-powered reading programs; and Accessibility Collections and Exploration Kits. Revenue is overwhelmingly tax-funded by Lake Forest residents through the City, with marginal ancillary streams from non-resident annual card fees, printing/copying usage fees ($0.10 B&W / $0.50 color), Friends of Lake Forest Library memberships and book sales, and Lake Forest Library Foundation donations. The library is governed by a Library Board, currently led by retiring Executive Director Ishwar Laxminarayan, with institutional support from Friends of the Library, the Foundation, the Lake Forest Preservation Foundation, and reciprocal borrowing through the CCS Consortium (24 suburban libraries) and RAILS (statewide Illinois system).
Lake Forest Library firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Lake Forest Library
- Legal name
- Lake Forest Library
- Website
- https://lakeforestlibrary.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1899
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Lake Forest Library industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Public Library Services
- NAICS
- Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO), Library Collections & Cataloging Services (Acquisitions, Metadata, Circulation) (EDAEAGAE), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL), Libraries, Archives & Special Collections (BPAGAHAF)
Keywords
Where Lake Forest Library is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lake Forest
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Lake Forest Library business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Public Funding: Primary funding from local tax revenues supporting library operations and services for Lake Forest residents.
- Non-Resident Library Cards: Annual fee for non-residents purchasing library access; fee based on State Library formula for taxpayer support.
- Foundation Donations: Lake Forest Library Foundation funding for building projects, programs, and special initiatives including the Building Centennial Project.
- Friends of Library: Friends of Lake Forest Library memberships, book sales, and donations supporting reading programs and library services.
- Printing and Copying Services: Black and white copies/prints at $0.10 per page, color copies/prints at $0.50 per page. Scanning and faxing are free.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Resident Library Card - Free |
| Subscription | Annual | Non-Resident Card - Annual Fee |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Caregiver/Nanny Card - Included with Primary Cardholder |
| Subscription | Annual | City Employee Card - Free |
| Subscription | Monthly | Lake Forest College Student Card - Free |
| Subscription | Annual | Business Card - Annual Fee |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Takeout Tech Late Fees |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Printing Services |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Lake Forest Library product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Lake Forest Library is a public library that provides Lake Forest, Illinois residents with free access to physical and digital collections, programming, and technology resources. It circulates books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming media, and specialty items such as TakeOut Tech equipment (cameras, gaming consoles, hotspots, sewing machines) and Accessibility Collections, while operating a Media Lab with professional creative tools (3D printers, vinyl cutters, Mac Pro workstations, Adobe Creative Suite) and a 24/7 Library Vending Machine at the West Train Station. The library also delivers reading programs (Summer Reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 100 Books Before Graduation) via Beanstack, research databases, homebound delivery, and community programming for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Product overview
Lake Forest Library offers a public library service combining physical collections, circulating materials, and digital resources through a unified patron-facing platform. The core product is the library's physical and digital collections accessible via its integrated website and mobile app (built on CapiraTech). Supporting products include the TakeOut Tech circulating equipment collection, the Media Lab with creative technology tools, the Beanstack reading tracker for reading programs, the Library Vending Machine at the West Train Station, and Digital Media Collections accessible through Libby, CloudLibrary, Hoopla, and Kanopy platforms.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Lake Forest Library Mobile App CapiraTech-based iOS and Android app that lets patrons carry a digital library card, scan ISBN barcodes, search the catalog, place holds, register for events, and access their library account and reading history.
- TakeOut Tech Collection Circulating collection of technology and creative equipment available for checkout to teens and adults (Lake Forest residents ages 16+), including DSLR cameras, GoPro HERO9 Black, Roku streaming sticks, Yeti USB microphones, Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles, Ring Fit Adventure, Bird Watching Bundles, Hollyland Lark M2 wireless microphones, Plustek Photo Scanner ePhoto Z300, Singer Heavy Duty 4452 sewing machines, mobile hotspots, projectors, and media conversion tools.
- Media Lab Technology workspace for Lake Forest Library cardholders ages 13+ providing Mac Pro workstations with dual monitors, Wacom Intuos Pro tablets, Silhouette Cameo vinyl cutter, Bambu Lab P1P and Prusa MK3 3D printers, Sawgrass VG500 sublimation printer, Cricut heat press machines, VHS/DVD/8mm converters, photo scanners, turntables, cassette players, and software including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Premiere Pro), Blender, Silhouette Studio, GarageBand, iMovie, Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, and Roxio Toast DVD burner.
- Beanstack Reading Tracker Online and app-based reading program tracker used to log reading progress and activities for Summer Reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and 100 Books Before Graduation, with prize incentives for participants.
- Library Vending Machine 24/7 self-service vending kiosk at West Train Station (911 Telegraph Rd) dispensing bestsellers, picture books, Wi-Fi hotspots, and holds pickup; patrons scan their library card or app-based virtual card to borrow and return.
- Accessibility Collections Circulating collection supporting patrons of all ages and abilities, including items for mobility and motor skills, emotions and expression, signing and communication, vision and perception, hearing and filtering, and learning and focus.
- Exploration Kits Blue backpacks containing STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) literacy activities available for checkout to children.
- Playaway Launchpads Pre-loaded tablets with apps, videos, and games for interactive learning and play, available for checkout by library patrons.
- 3D Printing Service On-premises 3D printing service in the Media Lab using PLA biodegradable plastic, with a maximum print size of 250 x 210 x 210 millimeters.
- Print from Anywhere (Princh) Remote printing service that lets patrons upload documents from phone, laptop, or tablet through the Princh platform and release print jobs at the Library's Print Release Station.
- Digital Media Collections Access to eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines, streaming movies, TV shows, comics, and music through multiple platforms including Libby/Digital Library of Illinois (10 checkouts), CloudLibrary (16 checkouts), Hoopla (10 instant borrows per month), Kanopy, Freegal Music (18 million songs), and TumbleBooks.
Quantifiable outcome
- Free access to millions of library items through consortium partnerships
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Lake Forest Library
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Lake Forest Library technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Lake Forest Library partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- Berglund ConstructionmajorLead contractor for Courtyards Rehabilitation Project. Has significant experience with historic structures and prior work on Dome Restoration.
- Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc. (WJE)majorArchitecture firm serving as lead architect for Building Centennial Projects. Previously completed Dome Restoration and currently working on 1931 Historic Rooms Revitalization.
- CCS Consortium (Continuing Library Services)coreLibrary consortium enabling reciprocal borrowing across 24 member libraries in Chicago suburbs including Algonquin, Cary, Crystal Lake, Des Plaines, Evanston, Glenview, Highland Park, and others. Members share materials and allow cross-card usage.
- RAILS (Reaching Across Illinois Library System)coreIllinois library system enabling Lake Forest Library cardholders to register for privileges at RAILS member libraries statewide.
- Friends of Lake Forest LibrarycoreSupport organization providing funding for reading programs, book sales, memberships, and donations supporting library services.
- Lake Forest Library FoundationcoreFoundation providing financial support for Building Centennial Projects, capital improvements, and special initiatives. Co-funding dome restoration, murals restoration, and courtyard rehabilitation.
- Lake Forest Preservation FoundationmajorHistoric preservation organization consulted during Building Centennial Projects. Provided coloring book prizes for Summer Reading celebrating historic buildings.
- Lake Forest Garden ClubminorCommunity garden organization consulted during courtyards rehabilitation and landscaping design for Building Centennial Project.
- BeanstackcoreReading program tracking platform used for Summer Reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, and 100 Books Before Graduation programs. Available as web app and mobile app.
- Gardens in ProgressminorLandscape architecture firm designing courtyards and landscaping for Building Centennial Project. Has worked on gardens in North Shore of Chicago for over two decades.
- L. Marshall Roofing & Sheet MetalmajorContractor that completed dome restoration work in August 2023. Has extensive knowledge of the building gained during earlier restoration project.
- Parma ConservationminorConservation firm that restored the Nicolai Remisoff murals in spring 2024. Used chemistry, microscopy, and imaging technology to identify restoration approach.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves10 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Lake Forest Library competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Northbrook Public Library: North Shore Illinois public library offering comparable resident services, digital lending, and community programming to a similarly affluent demographic with reciprocal consortium access.
- Highland Park Public Library: Public library serving Highland Park, Illinois, also a CCS Consortium member, with similar affluent-suburb patron base, comparable collections, programming, and reciprocal borrowing arrangements with Lake Forest.
- Schaumburg Township District Library: Large Illinois public library district with comparable technology offerings, digital lending, and innovation initiatives (Maker spaces, circulating tech) operating on similar tax-based funding model.
- Skokie Public Library: Award-winning Illinois public library operating with similar digital platform integrations (Libby, Hoopla), Maker/technology spaces, and comparable resident-driven programming models in the Chicago suburbs.
- Glenview Public Library: North Shore Chicago suburb public library and fellow CCS Consortium member offering comparable collections, digital lending, and community programming to a similar affluent demographic.
- Barrington Area Library: Illinois public library serving an affluent Chicago suburb (Barrington), with similar digital lending platforms, programming for all ages, and comparable small-staff operational model.
- Gail Borden Public Library District: Illinois public library district serving Elgin area with comparable digital lending, community programming, and Maker/technology spaces; demonstrates the broader Illinois public library model comparable to Lake Forest.
- Evanston Public Library: Public library serving Evanston, Illinois, a fellow CCS Consortium member with comparable services, digital lending platforms, and community programming for a similar North Shore demographic.
- Newberry Library: Independent research library in Chicago focused on the humanities, comparable to Lake Forest Library as a specialized library with research collections, public programming, and historic building assets serving a similar North Shore/Chicago-area demographic.
Broad incumbents
- Chicago Public Library: Large municipal library system serving Chicago with 80+ branches; not a direct geographic competitor to Lake Forest but operates with similar public funding model, digital lending platforms, and serves overlapping regional patron needs via CCS/RAILS.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Lake Forest Library social profiles
Digital presenceLake Forest Library financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Lake Forest Library leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Lake Forest Library subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
Lake Forest Library funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Lake Forest Library M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Lake Forest Library
What does Lake Forest Library do?
Lake Forest Library is a public library that provides Lake Forest, Illinois residents with free access to physical and digital collections, programming, and technology resources. It circulates books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, streaming media, and specialty items such as TakeOut Tech equipment (cameras, gaming consoles, hotspots, sewing machines) and Accessibility Collections, while operating a Media Lab with professional creative tools (3D printers, vinyl cutters, Mac Pro workstations, Adobe Creative Suite) and a 24/7 Library Vending Machine at the West Train Station. The library also delivers reading programs (Summer Reading, 1000 Books Before Kindergarten, 100 Books Before Graduation) via Beanstack, research databases, homebound delivery, and community programming for children, teens, adults, and seniors.
Is Lake Forest Library a public or private company?
Lake Forest Library is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Lake Forest Library founded?
Lake Forest Library was founded in 1899. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Lake Forest Library based?
Lake Forest Library is headquartered in Lake Forest, United States, in the North America region.
How does Lake Forest Library make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. Public Funding is the primary driver. The others are non-Resident Library Cards, foundation Donations, friends of Library and printing and Copying Services.
Who are Lake Forest Library's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Northbrook Public Library, Highland Park Public Library, Schaumburg Township District Library, Skokie Public Library, Glenview Public Library, Barrington Area Library, Gail Borden Public Library District, Evanston Public Library and Newberry Library. Chicago Public Library is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Lake Forest Library have an API?
No public API is recorded for Lake Forest Library.
What industry is Lake Forest Library in?
Lake Forest Library's product category is Public Library Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAEAGAC, Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management, with a secondary code of BPAIACAO, Public Libraries & Information Services. Its NAICS code is 51921 and its SIC code is 8200.