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Friends of LCPL We are an independent, nonprofit citizens' organization dedicated to assisting in the development of the Lake County Public Library into one of the finest community libraries. For example, did you know that LCPL's Summer Reading events wouldn't happen if it wasn't for the Friends of the Library? The Friends support LCPL events by covering supply costs and speaker fees so we're able to hold amazing programs and invite presenters to the library - which helps everyone in Lake County learn new things and expand their horizons! F ellowship with other library Friends R aise funds in support of the library I nvest in Lake County Public Library's future E ncourage gifts, endowments, and memorials N urture knowledge of the library D evelop library services & special community programs S timulate public support Support the Friends There are many ways you can support the Friends of the Library and Summer Reading! Visit the book sale room or the sale racks at the branches . We also hold an annual book sale with many more items. All proceeds from these sales go to the Friends. And of course you can always join the Friends! Join the Friends Why We Need You: LCPL's Summer Reading Challenge is 100% funded by the Friends of the Library! The Friends wisely use membership fees and donations to sponsor fun programs and classes, as well as prizes. The FRIENDS sponsor LCPL's 1000 Books Before Kindergarten reading challenge. FRIENDS contribute to the acquisition of books, video and audio materials, equipment, and other library materials for the entire community. The FRIENDS, by spreading knowledge of the Library, will enlarge its place in Lake County's cultural, civic, scientific and business life, and increase its daily use in the community. FRIENDS encourage gifts of books and special collections to the Lake County Public Library which would be lost to the public were it not for your support. Being a FRIEND Has Benefits! Your FRIENDS organization runs an in-house Book Sale Room , open five days a week. Our annual book sales enrich library resources and secure library equipment for purposes of public use and enjoyment. Friends get early access to the annual Fall Book Sale! Membership dues to the FRIENDS, as well as monetary gifts and book contributions, are deductible for income tax purposes. Another -- more personal -- benefit of being a FRIEND, is the opportunity to meet other Lake County Public Library patrons who are equally interested in supporting the Library. The quality of our Library depends on your participation. Your support will ensure continued quality library service. Be a FRIEND and Join Today!! If you would like to be a FRIEND, stop by the library to pick up the membership form or download the form and mail it to: Lake County Public Library 1919 W 81st Ave Merrillville, Indiana 46410 Kathy Mikulich: President Teresa Tressler: Vice President Gayle Krekovich: Secretary Jennifer Burnison: Treasurer Friends Officers

Resume Help Preparing for Your Job Search A resume and cover letter are staples of any job application. When did you last update yours? This is an important early step in your job search; you wouldn't want to find the perfect job only to be stopped by missing pieces of your application! Here are some tools to help you prepare. Want a personalized critique and edit workshop? Send your resume and/or cover letter to jobhelp@lcplin.org and our team of specialists (with experience workshopping hundreds of resumes and cover letters) will take a look and help you put your best foot forward! Recommended Resources Guide for People with Disabilities Resume best practices, anti-discrimination laws, and more. More info Resume Generator An easy-to-use website for making quick, simple resumes. More info Craft a Cover Letter Cover Letter Sample See what a basic cover letter might look like. This sample will help you understand appropriate tone and voice for a cover letter. More info Cover Letter Template Format your cover letter properly. This template also includes guidelines for content. More info Craft a Resume Federal Resume Template Resumes for government jobs are unique. More info No Experience Resume Template No experience? No problem. Give this resume template a try and highlight your skills instead. More info Just out of College Resume Template A starting point for recent college grads searching for their first job. More info Basic Resume Template A basic starting point suitable for most resumes. More info Resume Tips The DOs and DON'Ts of writing a resume. More info Resume Worksheet Start here. Planning what you will include in your resume is just as important as typing it out neatly with no mistakes. More info

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Share a Book Together As you read a book aloud, encourage your child to participate — make it interactive! Shared book reading is one of the most important ways adults can help children get ready to learn to read. Shared Reading There are many ways to share a book with a child: Encourage your child to turn the pages. Focus on the text. Point to words in repeated phrases What does the font or layout of the text tell you? What letters do you notice? Help your child tell a story from the pictures. Look at the pictures on one page. What do they make you and your child think about? Talk about them together. Read the story straight through to get the flow of the story. There may be short interactions with your child. Encourage your child join in with a repeated word or phrase. When reading books with repeated phrases or actions, or rhyming books, stop before the end of a line and let your child finish it. Ask questions to involve your child: "What do you think is happening here?" Ask open-ended questions: "What would you do if that happened to you? How would you feel? Why do you think happened?" Talk about or explain words your child does not know. Give your child time to ask questions or make comments. After reading the book, talk about what happened first, in the middle, last. Ask questions that prompt your child to reflect on the story. Examples: How would you have solved this problem? Now that you know what happened, why do you think the character acted that way? How was the story different from what you thought would happen? Guidelines from: Saroj Ghoting, www.earlylit.net This Month's Featured Reads! LCPL staff have selected these books because kids love them and they help build important pre-reading skills. Check them out today! Want more hand-picked kids' books? You can request a surprise bag of kids' books for curbside pickup! Some Pets Angela DiTerlizzi Skills Skills Vocabulary Background Knowledge Skills Practices Talking Playing Writing Extend the book with a paper pet collage ! Have a Look, Says Book Richard Jackson Skills Skills Phonological Awareness Letter Knowledge Skills Practices Writing Reading Extend the book with your own texture book !

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Design Block Dictionary This is a space to share more about the library. Take advantage of this long text to tell people who's behind it, what it does, how it began, and other details. It's an excellent place to share the story behind the library and describe what this site has to offer its visitors. This is a space to share more about the library. Take advantage of this long text to tell people who's behind it, what it does, how it began, and other details. It's an excellent place to share the story behind the library and describe what this site has to offer its visitors. This is a space to share more about the library. Take advantage of this long text to tell people who's behind it, what it does, how it began, and other details. It's an excellent place to share the story behind the library and describe what this site has to offer its visitors. Vision Sign Up for a Library Card Take your story further at the library! Join Us A LIBRARY CARD Your library card does more than just provide access to materials from any of our fourteen Allen County Public Library locations. HOW TO GET? TEEN'S PROGRAMS Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur. Integer leo nunc nullam eu euismod parturient.

A Note on Gifts and Donations A donation can be a gift from any individual or group seeking to benefit other library users, a memorial in honor of a loved one, a thank you, a commemoration of a special occasion, or even "just because." Your gift will keep on giving year after year because it is invested! The annual interest is used to purchase library materials. You may designate what type of library materials you would like your donation to purchase! Please let us know if there is a particular subject you'd like the materials to cover. Materials purchased with your donation will be marked with a gift plate. Thank you for thinking of the library! 2025 Officers and Board Members Tom Lounges, President Carol Moore, Vice President Marti Ross, Secretary Ingrid Norris, Treasurer Carol Daumer Gutjahr, Executive Secretary Jennifer Burnison, Asst. Executive Secretary John Brock, Financial Manager Tracy Anderson, Member Michael McIntyre, Member Debbie Milne, Member Dian Reyome, Member Charman Shields-Williamson, Member The Lake County Public Library Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that was established in 1984 by people who were concerned about the quality of library service in their community. The Foundation's mission is to administer funds received and provide a continuing source of income for the library through annual special events such as the spring Literary Tea and the Read-a-Thon. The money raised is invested, and only the interest is spent to benefit the library. Through the interest, the Foundation is able to provide books and materials that go beyond what is obtainable through traditional tax base funding. They are also the primary sponsor for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library in our district. Foundation funding enhances, and does not supplant, the public funding received by the Lake County Public Library. Interested in joining the Foundation or want more information? Contact the library's Marketing Manager at 219 769-3541, ext 315. Foundation Events Gifts & Memorial Donations Imagination Library Lake County Public Library FoundATION

So you want to 3D print! Here are some classes, articles, and web pages to help you get started. For questions about 3D printing at LCPL's Libratory, see our Libratory page . 3d Printing Resources Filter by Type of Resource Web How to Use Support Material, Part 1 Scott Cahoon; Matter Hackers, 2016 Describes why you might need support structures and how to choose which type will work best. Go to Resource Web Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D Sortable guide covering many popular 3D printing materials Go to Resource Web Top 10 Tips Anna Kaziunas France; Make: Community, 2013 An overview of some tips for creating 3D designs for printing Go to Resource Book 3D Printing Cameron Coward; Alpha, a member of Penguin Group (USA), Inc., 2015. Includes information about what 3D printings is, tips for fixing your 3D designs, and projects to practice with. Go to Resource Book 3D Printer Projects for Makerspaces Lydia Sloane Cline; McGraw-Hill Education, 2017. Goes over general information about 3D printing and includes several 3D printing projects. Go to Resource Book Getting Started with 3D Printing Liza Wallach Kloski; Maker Media, 2016. Includes information on how to use 3D modeling software and tips for fixing your 3D designs. Go to Resource LinkedIn Learning Learning 3D Printing Kacie Hultgren, 2021 Includes information on what 3D printing is, how to create a 3D design for printing, and more. Go to Resource LinkedIn Learning Desigining a Replacement Part Using 3D Printing Kacie Hultgren, 2014 Explains how to make a replacement part using 3D printing Go to Resource LinkedIn Learning Learning Tinkercad Kacie Hultgren, 2020 A video tutorial on how to use Tinkercad Go to Resource LinkedIn Learning Additive Manufacturing: Troubleshoot 3D Prints Rich Cameron & Joan Horvath, 2021 Goes over common mistakes with 3D printing and how to fix them Go to Resource Recommended Resources

Articles If you need more in-depth information on a specific topic, or a topic that could be considered "current", try one of these databases! Recommended Resources Get Started Consumer Reports Formed in 1936, ConsumerReports is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering you to make informed choices about the products you buy. Read articles on product safety, unbiased reviews of popular products from kitchen appliances to baby clothes, get shopping tips, and more. Tutorial Get Started ERIC Education Resource Information Center. Provides access to information from journals included in theﾠCurrent Index of Journals in EducationﾠandﾠResources in Education Index. viaﾠINSPIRE Get Started Explora for Middle/Secondary Schools Mobile-friendly topic search - an excellent starting point for research. Read reputable articles on any subject, or just browse for ideas. (viaﾠINSPIRE) Get Started Explora for Primary Schools Mobile-friendly topic search - an excellent starting point for research. Read reputable articles on any subject, or just browse for ideas. (viaﾠINSPIRE) Get Started Explora for Public Libraries Mobile-friendly topic search - an excellent starting point for research. Read reputable articles on any subject, or just browse for ideas. (viaﾠINSPIRE) Get Started Flipster Sign in with your Full Access card and PIN to read magazines in your browser, or download the app to read on your device! Tutorial Get Started General OneFile Contains articles from newspapers and magazines from around the world. Searchable by audience, keyword, or publication title. Get Started MAS Ultra - School Edition Periodicals contained in MAS Ultra cover a wide range of subject areas that are of interest to high-school students including art, history, sports, music, film, travel, science, the Internet, fashion, religion, nature, hobbies, current events, fiction and much more. (viaﾠINSPIRE) Get Started Middle Search Plus Full text for more than 140 popular middle school magazines. All full text articles are assigned a reading level indicator (Lexiles). (viaﾠINSPIRE) Get Started National Geographic Virtual Library A complete archive of National Geographic magazine - every page of every issue. Get Started Opposing Viewpoints inContext Presents the different sides of current events from several magazines and newspapers. Get Started Primary Search Contains full text for more than 80 popular elementary school magazines. All full-text articles are assigned reading level indicators (Lexiles). Includes thousands of relevant photos, maps and flags. (viaﾠINSPIRE) Get Started U.S. History inContext Presents different perspectives on historical issues side-by-side Get Started World History inContext Presents different perspectives on world issues side-by-side. Includes biographies of important world players and overviews of major historical eras.

Annual Literary Tea Fundraiser Enjoy a full afternoon tea with an enlightening presentation on the Victorian language of fans, flowers, and gloves. Ticket Info Events Storytime? Tech help? Book club? See upcoming events at your favorite branch! More info New Arrivals The latest titles hitting our virtual and physical shelves. More info Gale Literary Sources Academic articles, essays, and topics about literature. More info eBooks & Audiobooks Download or stream eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, comics, and more! More info Stream Movies & TV Shows When it's time to kick back and relax with some on-screen magic, your public library has you covered. More info

Frequently Asked Questions General Check Out Questions How many items can I check out? 50 total This total may include up to: - 10 New Release DVDs (DVDs that are new to our collection) - 2 Bestseller Express books - 5 video games - 1 video game console - 5 read-aloud books If your card type allows check out of these material types. Note: This total refers to physical items that you can pick up from our shelves and is only for card types (such as Full Access and Limited Access) that have physical borrowing privileges. Digital check-outs, such as ebooks, do not count toward this total. How many holds/requests can I place? 50 total. Mix and match from the following: - Up to 5 on children's Read-Aloud books - Up to 10 on New Release DVDs - Up to 50 on 14-day DVDs - Up to 50 on print materials and sound recordings - Up to 10 on downloadable audiobooks and ebooks Note: If your card does not have video privileges, you may not place holds on or request DVDs. What's up with automatic renewals? All Lake County Public Library patrons are automatically signed up for automatic renewals! This means that eligible items will renew themselves instead of becoming overdue, without you having to log in or call us to renew them. If you're signed up for email or text notifications, you'll also get an email or text reminding you that your items have been renewed or letting you know if they were NOT renewed. The notification includes the adjusted due date to help you avoid late fees. You can also sign into your account (https://catalog.lcplin.org/)at any time to check on the status of your items. 14-day loan period items (books, older movies, tv shows, magazines, etc) may renew 6 times (as long as no one has a hold on them). Bestseller Express books and New Release DVDs are not eligible for renewal. Can I check out magazines? Yes! You can check out print magazines at any location. Full Access/Digital Access cardholders can check out digital magazines (https://www.lcplin.org/magazines)as well. How do I request a specific periodical issue? Go to the catalog (https://catalog.lcplin.org)and do a keyword search for the title of the magazine you're looking for. Use the 'Refine Results' feature to limit the format to 'Serial', then click Apply at the bottom of the list of options. When you find the correct magazine, click the 'Find Specific Edition' button on its listing. This will take you to the listing page with an 'Edition Information' section. Click the button that says 'Request Edition' (NOT the button that says 'Request Any Edition'). This will offer you a list of editions to choose from. Click 'Place Hold' next to the edition you want and follow the on-screen prompts. I'm reading a series and want to know how many titles there are total and what order they're in. There are several ways to find out this information! Checking the author's website is often a good choice. You can also try Novelist, a database of nothing but books and reading suggestions. To find a series using Novelist: - Go to Novelist a(http://ezproxy.lcplin.org/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,uid&custid=s9072362&profile=novelist&groupid=main)nd type in the name of the series in the search bar (For example, Dresden Files). - Click the blue "Series" tab at the top of your search results. - Click the series you were looking for. You will be taken to a page of information about the series. - Scroll down to see books in the series in order. Why don't I have a Full Access Card? Not all cities in Lake County contribute taxes to the Lake County Public Library; many belong to different library districts. If you do not pay taxes in one of our taxing districts, you are not eligible for a Full Access Card (see the different library districts of Lake County)(https://www.lcplin.org/library-districts). There are other ways to get Full Access Cards, however. Volunteers who contribute a certain amount of time to the library are eligible for special cards that provide full access among other benefits. Residents of other library districts may also subscribe to the library (https://www.lcplin.org/library-subscription)for $55/year (which is the amount that our taxpayers contribute!) to get full access. Please see our Borrowing Privileges (https://www.lcplin.org/borrowing)page for full information on what kind of card you can get. I have fines. Can I pay online? Yes! Fines of any amount can now be paid online. Just log in to your library account,(https://catalog.lcplin.org) click 'My Bookshelf' at the bottom of the screen, and navigate to the 'Fines and Fees' tab. I forgot my PIN! Do I have to come in to the library to find out what it is? Nope! If you have an email address on file with us, you can just go to the catalog,(https://catalog.lcplin.org) click Log In, then click "I forgot my passcode." • If you don't have an email address on file: • Grab your library card and give us a call. (https://www.lcplin.org/locations) • We'll verify your library card number and ask a few other security questions, then we'll add your email address and send you the PIN reminder email. • If you don't have an email address on file and don't want one: • Grab your library card and give us a call.(https://www.lcplin.org/locations) (https://www.lcplin.org/locations) • We can reset your PIN over the phone after you answer some security questions. You can then change the PIN to something only you know by following these instructions .(https://www.lcplin.org/change-pin) Checking Out DVDs How many DVDs can I check out at one time? 50 total. You may mix and match from the following categories to total 50: - Up to 50 14-Day DVDs (educational DVDs, TV shows, movies that have been in the collection longer than 5 months, etc.) - Up to 10 new release DVDs (DVDs that are new to our collection) Note: If your card does not have video privileges, you may not place holds on or request DVDs. Do you have this DVD? Here is a searchable list of all DVDs (https://catalog.lcplin.org/search?pageSize=10&pageNum=0&sorting=relevance&sortOrder=asc&searchType=everything&query=*&universalLimiterIds=&materialTypeIds=33&collectionIds=&intendedAudienceIds=&literaryFormIds=&agentIds=&conceptIds=&languageIds=&locationIds=)(just type the title where the * is in the search box.) If none of the branches have the title you're looking for, you can make a purchase suggestion.(https://www.lcplin.org/purchase-requests) How do I request a book/CD/DVD? Check out our Purchase Suggestions page,(https://www.lcplin.org/purchase-requests) complete with instructions and detailed Purchase Request FAQs. Can I return a DVD to a different branch? Yes! Any DVD checked out from a Lake County Public Library (LCPL) location (https://www.lcplin.org/locations)can be returned to any other Lake County Public Library location. (Please Note: The Crown Point Library, Hammond Public Library, Lowell Public Library, East Chicago Public Library, Whiting Public Library, and Gary Public Library are not part of the Lake County Public Library system.) Is there a list of all movie titles in the system? Yes! H(https://catalog.lcplin.org/search?pageSize=10&pageNum=0&sorting=relevance&sortOrder=asc&searchType=everything&query=*&universalLimiterIds=&materialTypeIds=33&collectionIds=&intendedAudienceIds=&literaryFormIds=&agentIds=&conceptIds=&languageIds=&locationIds=)ere is a list of all DVDs in the system. (https://catalog.lcplin.org/search?pageSize=10&pageNum=0&sorting=relevance&sortOrder=asc&searchType=everything&query=*&universalLimiterIds=&materialTypeIds=33&collectionIds=&intendedAudienceIds=&literaryFormIds=&agentIds=&conceptIds=&languageIds=&locationIds=)You can search this list by typing in the title of the movie you're looking for in the search box where the * is. This list includes only physical DVDs. However, we also have many movies available to stream!(www.lcplin.org/movies) 3D Printing What do I need for 3D printing? A Lake County Public Library Full Access library card in good standing. Patrons under 14 must have an adult with a Full Access library card who agrees to pick up and pay for the print job. An .stl, .obj, or .thing file or the link to the item on Thingiverse.com.(https://www.thingiverse.com/) How do I request a 3D print? Send your 3D print request to lab@lcplin.org.(mailto:lab@lcplin.org) 3D print requests must include the following information: 1. First and Last Name: 2. Phone 3. Library Card # 4. Filament Color Choic 5. Print Resolution Choice 6. Amount of Infill Desired 7. An .stl, .obj, or .thing file or the link to the item on Thingiverse.com 8. Pick-up branch How much does it cost to make a 3D print? The library charges $0.10/gram When do I pay for my print? After you send in your request, you will receive an email letting you know how much the print will cost and asking for approval to charge your library account. Once we receive approval, we will charge your account with the cost of the print. Payment is due at time of pickup. • Charges of less than $5 must be paid in cash or by check at a LCPL branch. • Charges of $5 or more can be paid by card online. Will I have an opportunity to approve the cost of my print before it is processed? Yes. Library staff will notify you of the estimated cost of your print before it is printed. You will need to approve this cost before the library will send the request to the printer. What are the specifications of the 3D printer? The library has two 3D printers: the Dremel 3D45 and the BambuLab X1-Carbon. • Both have a single drive print head • The 3D45 can only use one filament at a time. • The X1-Carbon has an Automatic Material System to use up to four filaments at a time. • Both use 1.75mm filament • Both have a nozzle diameter 0.4mm • Heated glass bed (3D45) • Heated flex plate bed (X1-Carbon) • 3D45 max build volume: 255 x 155 x 170mm (10" x 6" x 6.7") • x1-Carbon max build volume:256 x 256 x 256mm (10" x 10" x 10") Can I bring in my own filament? No. The library does not allow patron-supplied filament. What types of filament does the library offer? The library offers PLA, ECO-ABS, regular ABS, and PETG filaments. What color options are available? ECO-ABS: black ABS: black PETG: translucent. PLA: black, white, brown, gray, green, blue, purple, pink, red, orange, yellow, silver, gold https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6bd57_ee6db9211e864bea9a0c9a618a5fedf0~mv2.jpg What is print resolution and what options are available? 3D prints are created layer by layer. Print resolution determines how thin or thick each layer is. Thin layers will create more polished looking prints, while thicker layers will be more noticeable. The library offers: • Low Resolution (0.28mm) • Standard Resolution (0.2mm) • High Resolution (0.12mm) • Ultra Resolution (0.08mm) https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6bd57_f340aed0423d4400bffa3ab339ea2b7a~mv2.jpg What is infill and what options are available? The level of infill determines if the printed object will be hollow or solid. Certain 3D models will require minimum amount of infill in order to print correctly. The options range from 0% to 100%, with 20% being our standard option. We currently do not offer gradual infill. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/b6bd57_e99385e59827484ea393304c78e6def7~mv2.jpg Does the library have sample prints so I can see what each option looks like? Yes! Each of our branches have 3D printed swatches for the colors available. You can also visit the Libratory during its open hours to see sample prints with different amounts of infill. Will I be charged for support materials if the library adds them? Support materials will not be added without approval from the patron requesting the print. Library staff will notify you if they believe your print will benefit from support materials. You will also be given an estimate of the cost with and without support materials for comparison. If you approve the addition of support materials, you will be responsible for paying for the support materials in addition to the main print. How long does printing take? Prints can take anywhere from a few minutes to several hours. Print time depends on the size of the object, the amount of infill, and the print resolution. To ensure fair access to the library's 3D printing services, prints with estimated print times longer than six hours will not be processed. Can I print in more than one color? Yes! If you would like to print a model with up to four colors please let our staff know in your request and they will schedule an appointment for you to digitally paint or assign the colors onto your 3D model in our slicing program. Please note that process of printing in multiple colors will increase the cost and time of the print. What happens if my request isn't printed properly? If there are errors in the final print, the patron is still responsible for paying for what was printed. Fees will only be waived or refunded for mechanical error. Does the library offer classes on how to create models for 3D printing? The library does not currently offer classes on creating models for 3D printing. Visit the Libratory page (https://www.lcplin.org/libratory)for some of our recommended courses and a list of other resources. You can also set up a one-on-one appointment with staff to go over your file with you to evaluate it for any possible errors which might occur during the printing process. Are 3D prints food-safe? It is not recommended to use 3D printed objects for food. We cannot guarantee the material or manufacturing process is food-safe. Can I pick up my print at any LCPL branch? Yes! Let us know where you would like to pick up your print, and we will send it out. Please remember to bring in the library card used to request the print when you come in to pick it up! How long do I have to pick up my print? You must pick up your print within two weeks from the time that we notify you that your print is ready. After two weeks, you will need to contact the Libratory to make other arrangements for pick up. If the print is not picked up within 30 days of the notification that it is ready for pick up, it becomes property of the Lake County Public Library. I have an idea for a design. Can you make it for me? No, the Libratory does not offer 3D modeling services. You will need to provide your own print-ready file (or a link to one). Can you copy and print an object for me? No, we cannot copy objects and print them. You will need to provide your own print-ready file (or a link to one). InterLibrary Loan How do I make a Purchase Request or an InterLibrary Loan request? Check out our full tutorial on making requests!(https://www.lcplin.org/purchase-requests) How can I request an ebook or digital audiobook? You can request digital materials to add to the library's Overdrive/Libby collection using Notify Me tags! Here's how.(https://b6bd57a2-d41b-4154-baa4-e3076e5a7073.usrfiles.com/ugd/b6bd57_cc2f49f4d73b4d198e852262ee0f8dce.pdf) Some things to keep in mind: • First, check our digital collection to see if we have the item. You should check both Overdrive/Libby (https://lakecounty.overdrive.com/)and Hoopla.(https://www.hoopladigital.com/) • If the title is not available in EITHER collection, search for it in Overdrive/Libby and add a Notify Me tag to the title. • Please note: If the title is available in Hoopla, we will not purchase it for Overdrive/Libby. • If we purchase the title, you'll be notified - but you won't be automatically added to the holds list. This is because you get unlimited Notify Me tags and we can't choose for you which titles you want to use your holds on! • Your tags are anonymous - we only see the number of tags on a title, not any information about you. Can I decide whether the library purchases or borrows my request for me? The library reserves the right to determine the best way to fill your request, while still delivering the item to you in as timely a manner as possible. Why didn't the library purchase the item I requested? We are unable to purchase every title that is requested so we have created a set of criteria that will determine whether or not we will purchase a title for our collection. In general we consider the year of publication, community interest in this subject, and availability from our library vendors. Does the library attempt to borrow new items? If we opt not to purchase a new item for the collection we will attempt to borrow it from another library for you. However, our success rate for securing items released in the last year is low. If the item you have requested is new and is not purchased for the collection, we may be unable to obtain it through Interlibrary Loan. How long will it take for my request to arrive? Some requests may take longer depending on how long it takes to obtain an interlibrary loan or make a purchase, however the average time to process your request is 3 weeks, though DVDs may take longer. You can check the status of your request by logging in to your account (catalog.lcplin.org)on the library catalog. Click My Bookshelf in the lower left corner, then click Holds. Is there a charge for this service? There is no charge if Lake County Public Library purchases your request for its collection. On occasion, when we borrow an item from another library, the library will charge us for the privilege. We will borrow from a library that charges fees only if you authorize us to do so, and only if there are no free libraries available. Fees are due when you pick up your item, when applicable. How many requests may I submit? You may submit 5 requests at a time. A request is anything submitted using your library card number, regardless who entered it. When a request has been canceled or filled and returned to the lending library, you may submit an additional request. How can I take full advantage of my requests? • Always check the Lake County Public Library Catalog (https://catalog.lcplin.org)for the item you are looking for before you submit a request. • The library will not attempt to purchase titles unless they meet certain criteria and we may not be able to borrow recently published materials through Interlibrary Loan. • Items owned by public libraries are generally available at no charge. University and medical libraries often charge a fee. If there are no free lenders and you are not willing to pay a loan fee, your request will not be filled. I have a $5 or more fine on my card. Why can't I use the Interlibrary Loan service? While the library does provide Interlibrary Loan service for free, there is actually a cost associated with it: the library pays shipping and transport fees and passes on none of that cost to you. As a courtesy, we do ask that you pay your fines before we pay to ship books for you! If you are borrowing or buying my request, can you send it to a different library? We are happy to send your request to any of our 9 locations (https://www.lcplin.org/locations/)for convenient pick up. If you want an Interlibrary Loan delivered to a another library system, you must submit your request through that library's Interlibrary Loan Department. How long can I keep an item you borrowed for me through Interlibrary Loan and can I renew my item? The lending library determines the length of the loan. The items are not renewable. Be sure to pick up your item as soon as possible after you receive notification. This will allow you to have it for the maximum loan period given by the lending library. The longer your item sits on the hold shelf, the less time you will have with it. Some items borrowed are only for use in the library and cannot be checked out, such as rare or fragile materials, microfilm, microfiche, and other special materials. How do I check my pickup location? To check your pickup location, log in to your account and check your Requests. How will I be contacted when my item arrives? You will be contacted by your preferred method of notification when your item arrives at your designated pickup location. I requested an item for purchase/inter-library loan a very long time ago - why haven't I gotten it yet? If we can not get an item for you, you will be notified in your patron account and your request will be changed to "Canceled". In cases in which the status of your request has not changed, it is likely that we have purchased the item but are now waiting on the publishers. We often order items months before they are published; if you've requested one of these from our catalog and the item's release date was pushed back after we placed our order, your wait time may be prolonged. An item I requested never showed up in my Requests. What do I do? If the library cannot obtain the title and will not be purchasing it, or if there is some delay in obtaining the title, a message will be posted in your account. Log in to your account from the library catalog, and check Messages. Who do I talk to for more information about my request? Interlibrary Loan (borrowing) Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. Telephone: 219-769-3541, ext. 333 Libratory Where is the Libratory? The Libratory is located in Merrillville Branch just down the hall from the Book Sale Room. Our address is 1919 W. 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410. You can call us at 219-769-3541 ext 354, or e-mail lab@lcplin.org (mailto:lab@lcplin.org)to get in touch with us. When is the Libratory open? Monday - Thursday: 10 AM - 8 PM Friday: 9 AM - 4 PM You can make a one-on-one appointment, use our drop-off conversion service, or send in a 3D print job any time. Just email lab@lcplin.org (mailto:lab@lcplin.org)to get started. Who can use the Libratory? Only LCPL patrons with Full Access Cards or a Library Subscription (https://www.lcplin.org/library-subscription)C(https://www.lcplin.org/library-subscription)ard in good standing are able to use the Libratory. Patrons under 18 require parent/guardian permission, and patrons 14 and under require parent/guardian supervision. How much does it cost? 3D printing costs $0.10/gram for standard filament and $0.25 for premium filament, but there is no cost to use any other Libratory equipment or software. You can bring your own jump drive to store your work, or jump drives with 16 GB of memory are available for purchase either at the Circulation Service Desk or in the Libratory for $8.00 each. For film and audio conversions, DVDs and CDs are available for purchase for $1 each. Will someone show me how to use the equipment and software? We have prepared easy-to-follow quick-start guides for our equipment! Knowledgable staff will be on hand to answer any questions you have after following the guide. We're also happy to help you find books or online tutorials for anything else you're interested in learning. More into independent study? LCPL full access cardholders have access to LinkedInLearning,(https://www.linkedin.com/learning-login/go/lcplin) an online learning company that helps anyone learn business, software, technology, and creative skills! Something Else I lost an item or damaged it - can I give you a new copy to replace it? No. If you lose an item, you are responsible for paying a lost item fee rather than replacing the item yourself. This is because library copies of books are more expensive than copies available for purchase by the general public. They have library bindings and are more durable than commercial copies so that they can be handled by hundreds of people without falling apart. We also do not allow patron-provided replacements of any DVD due to the different versions available of each item (deluxe editions, availability of subtitles, differences in features, etc). The lost item fee covers the loss to the library's collection and is based on the retail cost of the lost item plus staff time required to make a new item shelf-ready. However, if you find a lost item, simply return it to us and we will be happy to refund the lost item fee! Can I fax something here? Due to popular demand, faxing and scanning service is now available every branch! Learn more here.(https://www.lcplin.org/scan-fax) Where can I get something notarized? Many banks have a notary on staff for their customers. Check with your bank to see if you can get something notarized there. How do I download eBooks? Downloading an eBook is slightly different depending on the device you're using. However, the first step is always to locate the ebook you want to read. H(https://www.lcplin.org/ebooks)ead to our ebook page to learn how.(https://www.lcplin.org/ebooks) This page also has links to more specific instructions for our ebook check out services, Hoopla and Libby (aka Overdrive). If you still have questions or experience an error, feel free to give us a call or come in for help. We're always happy to provide one-on-one device help! How many music downloads do I get each week? (Freegal) You can download 5 songs per week using Freegal.(https://lcplin.freegalmusic.com/) You can also stream whole albums on Hoopla,(http://www.hoopladigital.com/) where you get 16 checkouts per month. Each album counts as a checkout. How is the price for a library subscription (fee card) set? People living outside of our taxing district can purchase a library subscription (https://www.lcplin.org/library-subscription)to access resident-only features (like ebooks or digital music). The price of the subscription (formerly known as a fee card) is regulated by Indiana Code 36-12-2-25 (d) (http://iga.in.gov/documents/c1220de2)(scroll to page 15) but, to put it simply, it is the average amount each resident of our district contributes to the library in taxes each year. The current fee card price is $55. I don't live around here but I need to use the computer. What can I do? If you are over 18, you may present a photo ID and get a guest pass for the day. If you will be coming back, you can apply for a computer-use only card. Speak to staff at the desk for either. I have a group that would like to use the meeting room. Would that be possible? The library welcomes the free use of its meeting rooms for local non-profit groups. An adult LCPL cardholder in good standing must take responsibility for the group's use of the room, equipment, and conduct of members by signing a reservation and use agreement. That adult must be present at the library before staff will open the meeting room to the group, and he or she must be present throughout the scheduled meeting. These are the basic guidelines. For more details, please see the full Public Meeting Room Policy.(https://www.lcplin.org/policies/meeting-rooms) You can fill out a meeting room application (www.lcplin.org/meeting-room-application)online.

Reading and writing go hand in hand. Writing—scribbling at first—helps children make the connection between the spoken and printed word. How Can Writing Develop Early Literacy Skills? As children see print used in their daily lives, they begin to recognize that those printed letters stand for spoken words. Writing helps children learn the purpose of reading – that printed letters can communicate information. Children who scribble, draw, and do crafts are practicing coordination and exercising their hand and finger muscles. This develops the fine motor control needed in order to hold a pencil and write letters and words. What Kind of Writing? You are your child's first role model; they will learn by watching you!kids building writing skills while having fun! When you write lists or notes , show them to your child and talk about what you're doing. Scribbles : let them hold and use thick crayons, pencils, or markers. As they grow, encourage them to make strokes that will later form letters: straight lines, curves, and circles. Drawing : draw pictures for your child, and encourage them to draw their own pictures. Provide blank unlined paper for them to draw on as they please. Name Fun : Play with the sounds and letters of their name. Point out letters you see and have your child find others. Write their name, saying the letters out loud as you point to each. Help your child write their name in uppercase letters and repeat their sounds. Word Writing : help them label parts of pictures or write captions for them. Writing Teaches Early Literacy Putting it Into Action Make it easy for your child to draw/write by setting up a craft area for them. Give your child opportunities to use other art supplies like washable finger paints, chalk, playdough, even safety scissors. These build fine motor skills too. Let them experiment with what they write/draw on as well: different kinds of paper, cardboard, the sidewalk. Make or get washable crayons they can use on themselves or on the tub during bath time. Provide coloring pages and pages with simple tracing activities. Write favorite words for them to see: dog, cat, Mom, Dad, etc. Use a chalkboard or magnetic letters on the fridge to write family messages; help your child write their own messages too. When your child is ready to write letters, start with them in uppercase. Display your child's drawings and writing around the house: on your fridge, etc. Here are several examples of using Writing to help build early literacy skills: When you go grocery shopping or have errands to run, write out a list and ask your child to add to it. As you complete it, have your child check the item off. Talk to your child about what they draw: ask questions and respond to what they say. Make up stories together about the picture. Ask your child to label parts of their drawings. This will also help them understand that words stand for things. Suggest drawing a story: three pictures for the beginning, middle, and end. Have your child tell you the story so you can write out captions for the pictures. Draw a picture yourself and tell your child about it, then ask them to draw one for you. You can trade pictures back and forth like a conversation. Encourage your child to “sign” their name on their drawings. Even if it starts out as a scribble, they are learning that they can write something to represent their name. Later, they will be able to write their initials, then the complete name. Sources Saroj Ghoting Every Child Ready to Read 2nd Edition