The Lake Bluff Library has at least temporarily stopped offering some services to patrons citing staffing shortages.
On Oct.10, passport, notary, voter registration and curbside pickup services were suspended according to a statement posted on the library’s website.
“We understand the importance of these services and deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause,” Interim Director David Seleb said in the statement. “We remain dedicated to finding solutions to restore these services as quickly as possible.”
Library Board President Bonnie Shaul connected the decision to the recent resignation of one of the library’s five full-time employees. (She said there are about 15 or 16 part-time employees.)
“It is driven by the skill and capacity to do this,” Shaul said in an interview.
She added the library would direct patrons to other community outlets providing those same services and did not rule out a resumption in the future.
“It is possible they could be brought back at some time,” she said. “I think we will take the opportunity with our interim director to evaluate these services.”
Shaul acknowledged the Lake Bluff library is dealing with many changes, tying to the often contentious debate regarding modern library services throughout the country.
“Libraries as a whole are facing high personnel turnover as librarian’s jobs have become fraught with some of the civil friction that exists today in our communities,” she said.
On its web site, the library has a job posting for a reference and circulation manager.
In the meantime, Shaul indicated the library’s immediate focus would be on “core library capabilities” including the library’s physical and electronic collection, early education and children’s story hours.
“Those are the heart and soul of what the library delivers,” she said.
Shaul said the suspension of the services was not a financial one as the library has an approximate $1.25 million operating budget in this current fiscal year. However, she did mention the library represents 2.5 percent of the overall Lake Bluff property tax bill while other area libraries receive as much as six percent.
This reduction in services marks another chapter in a tumultuous period for the Lake Bluff Library.
Last July, the board instituted a pilot program reducing hours of operation including closing the Scranton Avenue building on Sundays. On Oct. 1, the library voted to extend that program through in March 31, 2025.
Last month, Library Director Renee Grassi left for a new job at the Wilmette Public Library.
To replace her temporarily, the board hired Seleb as a part-time director. Shaul said the board hopes to retain an executive search firm in November with the goal of hiring a permanent director in three to four months.
Daniel I. Dorfman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
