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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

Science Kits Learn more about the world around you! Science kits contain all the parts you need for fun experiments, plus questions to think about and suggestions for further reading. Each kit comes in a box or backpack and checks out for one week. Take home a telescope, explore with a nature hike backpack, make a prediction with a weather forecasting kit, and more! How to Reserve Browse & Reserve Borrowing Kits: Kits are available to LCPL full access cardholders 18 years or older in good standing. You can borrow one kit at a time. Kits may be reserved up to 1 year in advance. The borrower is responsible for ensuring that all parts of the kit are returned in the bag on time and in good condition. You will be asked to sign a waiver at the time of reservation. Each kit is recommended for a certain age group but all kits should be used with adult supervision. For more information, suggestions for new kits, or assistance using the myTurn reservation system, please give us a call at (219) 769-3541 or email us .

Employment Resources Help for Every Stage of Your Search Job Search Tips & Tools The library sees job-seekers’ questions daily. Librarians are prepared to help you answer questions about any of the resources on these pages. Wondering how to write a cover letter? No problem. Need to find info on your chosen career? Our tools can help. 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! Prepare Before you start your search, make sure you're ready with a stellar cover letter and resume. Our tools will help you create them so that when you do find the perfect job, you can apply right away. More info Search Ready to start your search? These local databases and job hunt tips will help you find something in Northwest Indiana that matches your skills and needs. More info Apply Now that you've found a job you want, all you have to do is apply. Get help navigating online applications, brush up on your interview skills, and even get in-person help preparing to apply for a job. More info More Resources Sometimes it feels like there are a million details to take care of when job searching or starting a new job. What local resources and grants are available to help you with things like continuing education, childcare, and other concerns? More info

Creative Arts Summit Merrillville Branch | May 30, 2026 12 PM - 4 PM Back for FIVE years running, the Creative Arts Summit returns this summer, providing creators a space to network together, showcase their work, and even market their pieces to the public. Creatives of all types are invited to submit an application to participate. Applications are open February 2 - March 20. The fifth annual Creative Arts Summit will be held at the Merrillville Branch on Saturday, May 30th, and will feature a variety of mediums, including painting, writing, and more. Past Summits have featured various authors, painters, graphic artists, sculptors, vocalists, and craftspeople (jewelry, furniture, novelty items, etc.) Similar to an art fair, visitors to the event will be free to visit with participating creators to learn about their work & process. If you or someone you know is a creator, feel free to complete the submission form with samples of your work by March 20th. We look forward to seeing what everyone has to offer. Location : Merrillville Branch, Main Level Date & Time : Saturday, May 30th, 2026 | 12PM-4PM. Applications are now closed! More info coming soon. Application opens Feb 2, 9:00 AM! The application will be open February 2 - March 20. If you are selected to participate as a creator, a second form will be forwarded to you for full registration and instruction on how to pay the $10 registration fee. You must provide samples of your work (via online media link or attachment) to be considered. Applications without samples will not be considered. While the use and/or reinterpretation of previous works (such as in pop art, collage, and song covers) is certainly allowed, complete reproduction or copies of works will not be accepted. The application period for the 2026 Creative Arts Summit is now closed! * First name * Last name * How old are you? 18+ Under 18 * Email Address * Phone Number Address Select the category or categories that most closely represent your art (up to 3) 2D Visual Art (Painting: acrylic, oil, watercolor; illustration: charcoal, pencil=sketching, digital art) 2D Multimedia (collage, film-making, graphic design, photography, printmaking) 3D Visual Art (sculpture, woodcarving, metal and glass working) Creative Writing - Graphical Media (graphic novels, comics, manga) Creative Writing - Poetry (collections of poems, novels-in-verse, Spoken Word) Creative Writing - Prose (fiction, non-fiction, novels, short-fiction) Performance Art (Music, Singer-Songwriter, Instrumental, Dance) Textiles, Crafts, and Wearable Art (plushies, figurines, novelty items, accessories, jewelry) None of the above; I'll explain below. Provide a short description of your art, work, and/or style (for example, your artistic style, genre of music, genre and format of writing, etc.) Your application must include a sample of your work. You may attach samples, provide a website, or provide a social media link to your work. (Or all of the above!) Website showing my work: Link to social media showing my work: File attachment showing my work: Upload File File size limits: Images: 25MB GIFs: 15MB Video: 4GB Audio: 50MB. Number of channels: 1 (mono) or 2 (stereo) Submit

Annual Read-a-Thon Rules Dear Parents, The Lake County Public Library Foundation encourages your child to make reading a part of their life, both in and out of school. All your child needs to do is seek sponsors, then read as many books as possible within the six weeks of the READ-a-THON. Upon completion of the sixth week, your child should begin collecting pledges to put into their envelope. Please return the envelope with the child’s information on it to your school or local branch library. Once all the money has been counted, participating schools will receive one-third of the total monies raised by their students. Encourage your child to read. It is the one gift that will last a lifetime. Sincerely, Lake County Public Library Foundation Board Ribbon: $1 - $19.99 10" Trophy: $20 - $29.99 12" Trophy: $40 - $69.99 15" Trophy: $70 - $99.99 20" Trophy: $100 and over! Each branch library will recognize the top eight students who raise the most money in their community schools. 1st place: $50 gift card 2nd place: $25 gift card 3rd - 8th place: $10 gift card Rules: The READ-a-THON is open to all children from preschoolers through eighth grade. Participants must read at their own reading level. Books may be borrowed from the school or public library. Books read for other reading programs may be counted for the READ-a-THON, but books read for school assignments or prior to the start of this year's Read-a-Thon may not be counted. Books read to children in first grade or below may be counted. In order to be eligible for prizes, all Sponsor/Booklist Record envelopes and monies collected MUST be returned to your local branch library by the deadline. The school and child raising the most money overall will be notified. A service fee will be charged on returned checks. Please make checks payable to: LCPL Foundation Trophies will be distributed to the schools in May. Some branch librarians may distribute trophies at an in house ceremony. Prizes:

Singing Teaches Early Literacy Singing with your child is a fun way to help your child get ready to read. Music helps children hear the smaller sounds of words and builds vocabulary. How Can Singing Develop Early Literacy Skills? Children develop listening skills and hear the rhythms and rhymes of language. Children get an understanding of the smaller sounds in words because singing slows down language, and often songs have different notes for each syllable. Clapping or playing instruments along with rhythms improves fine motor skills and also helps children hear syllables. Children learn new words and concepts they wouldn't normally hear in everyday conversation, adding to their general knowledge. Music helps children remember things longer because it activates a different part of the brain than regular spoken language. What Kind of Singing? Children learn best by doing activities with you. Make it fun and don't feel self-conscious about your singing voice – your child loves your voice and loves hearing you sing! Sing anything you enjoy and are comfortable with: traditional songs, nursery rhymes, and any song you like, including rock or pop! If you enjoy it, your child will, too. Sing throughout your day: learn or make up songs about routines, like cleaning up or brushing teeth – songs make ordinary tasks more fun! Sing songs with rhyming words, silly words, and long stretched-out words. Use the language you know best. They need to hear you in the language you're most fluent in. Putting it Into Action Need song ideas? Check out our catalog or stream kids' music from Hoopla . Get up and move! Children develop motor skills as they clap, jump, twirl, and play instruments. (You can make simple instruments: a plastic bottle filled with rice becomes a maraca shaker, a round oatmeal container becomes a drum, and a rectangle tissue box wrapped with rubber bands can be a guitar!) A child playing a home-made tissue box guitar Sing a book! Check our Songs and Rhymes section of picture books or make up a simple tune for one of your child’s favorite books. Sing songs again and again (and again) – repetition reinforces learning! Examples of using singing to build early literacy skills: Are there any new words in a song? Talking about their meanings afterwards will build vocabulary. Sing songs slowly: songs often break up the syllables of words by assigning a different note to each, as in "Are You Sleeping?/Frère Jacques." Sing songs quickly! Changing up the tempo will help children hear the small sounds of words differently. For example, you can "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" gently , then swiftly down the stream . . . Make up new verses to familiar songs like "The Itsy Bitsy Spider" together; this develops narrative (story-telling) skills. Sing a familiar song to a different tune: it will emphasize the smaller sounds even further. For example, sing the Alphabet song to the tune of "Mary Had a Little Lamb." It breaks up the letters LMNOP so your child can hear them individually. Sources: Saroj Ghoting Every Child Ready to Read 2nd Edition Storytime Katie: Babies Need Words Every Day Library Bonanza: Early Literacy Talking Points Story Time Secrets: Babies Need Words Every Day

Consiga su Tarjeta de Biblioteca en Línea Llene el siguiente formulario para registrase con su tarjeta electronica de la Lake County Public Library. Obtenga acceso a todos los materiales electronicos de nuestra biblioteca. La tarjeta electronica permite a los residentes de nuestro distrito acceso a la biblioteca y puede usar los recursos de la biblioteca, aun que no puedan llegar a los surcursales de la biblioteca. La tarjeta electronica no permite el uso de los materiales impresos y otro materiales, pero no se preocupe, pueden traer el codico de su tarjeta electronica con una forma de identificacion apropiada a cualquier de nuestro locales y pueden elevar el servicio de su tarjeta electronica a una tarjeta con acceso completo. Por favor de llenar el siguiente formulario para su registro. La informacion sometida es solo para el uso de los servicios de la biblioteca. Reciberan el numero de su tarjeta "eCard" despues de un periodo para validar su informacion. Nota: Se usted ya tiene una tarjeta con acceso completo, no es necesario solicitar para una tarjeta electronica. El codico de su tarjeta se puede usar para todo material electronico . Si no viven en nuestro distrito, no pueden solicitar para una tarjeta electronica, pero si es posible que puedan cualificar para otras tarjetas . in English

Did you know our Summer Reading Program for adults, children, and teens, is 100% funded by contributions? The same is true for many of our amazing programs, classes, and events, especially children's programs that foster literacy. We invite you to be a part of a long tradition of supporting the library and enhancing the many services we offer. A donation to the library is an investment in your community! The library is supported in a major way by two groups: the Friends and the Foundation. Monetary contributions to these groups have the most visible impact on our library - and of course, you can also contribute your time become an active participant in either! Friends of LCPL The Friends of the Lake County Public Library operate our booksale room and contribute to the acquisition of library materials. They also are responsible for funding Summer Reading Program activities! Learn more about how you can help . The LCPL Foundation The Foundation sponsors our annual Read-a-Thon as well as the 1000 Books Before Kindergarten Challenge , which helps kids prepare for Kindergarten. They also use their funds to provide books and materials above and beyond what would be available through the library's traditional tax-based funding. Learn more or make a donation . Support The Library Make a Memorial Donation or Gift Give a lasting and thoughtful tribute to your family or a loved one by making a monetary contribution to the Lake County Public Library. Download the gift form (PDF) . Donate Through the Legacy Foundation Monetary donations to LCPL through the Legacy Foundation are used to directly support our educational initiatives. We may also use donations to continue expanding our collection of books, movies, music, and other materials so that people can engage in self-guided study. Donate now! Volunteer Give the gift of your time! Call your library for more information on how you can donate your time and talent. Adults who volunteer 100 hours of their time and teens who volunteer 50 hours are eligible for special privilege gold or silver library cards . Learn More... Support a Read-a-Thon Participant Every year, the Foundation Board sponsors the annual Read-a-Thon, during which young readers collect pledges to benefit the library. Keep an eye on the Foundation Events page for the next Read-a-Thon dates! Shop at Amazon.com When you go to Amazon from this link , a portion of what you pay comes right back to the library and into our materials budget. Learn more... Visit Our Booksale Room Each of our locations has a sale rack, but the Merrillville branch has a full booksale room. You never know what you might find, and proceeds from sales benefit the library! Not interested in buying more books, music, and movies? You can also help us by donating some of your old ones. Learn More...

Reading Aloud & Early Literacy Reading Helps Children Learn Letters and their sounds Phonological awareness (rhyming; breaking down words into sounds) Narrative skills and comprehension Print motivation (discovering that reading is fun) Vocabulary Print awareness (the way a book is organized; learning that print has meaning) In other words, reading aloud can teach children all the oral language components they need to know in order to become successful readers. But perhaps the most important thing reading out loud can teach children is a love of reading. If the reading aloud experience is fun and pleasurable, a child will want to learn to read and will work hard to learn, even if it is sometimes a struggle. So... HOW we read with young children is every bit as important - or more important! - as how often we read with them. Reading with your child makes reading fun for them! For example: If children are actively involved in the reading aloud experience, they learn more early literacy skills - and it's more fun! Talk, talk, talk - about the story and the pictures. Encourage your child to participate with repeated phrases, animal sounds, and so on. Ask your child what is happening in the pictures or to predict what will happen next. If something in the story or the pictures prompts a memory in your child's life, talk about it! Have a conversation around the book and always keep it fun! Here are three great ways to read aloud with a child: Dialogic Reading Shared Reading Picture Book Walk 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 bundle of kids' books for curbside pickup! Some Pets Angela DiTerlizzi Skills Skills Vocabulary Background Knowledge Practices 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 Practices Practices Writing Reading Extend the book with your own texture book !

Library Subscriptions Want it All? Buy a Lake County Public Library Subscription! For $55 a year, anyone can enjoy the same amazing benefits that LCPL taxpayers receive from the library. Note: If you're a resident of our district , you do not need to purchase a library subscription - your taxes have already paid for one! If you are an Indiana resident you already have access to most of our physical collection through our Statewide Borrowing Agreement ; you only need a subscription for access to our digital collection and a few other services described below. What Does an LCPL Subscription Give Me? An LCPL subscription - also known as a fee card - gives you exactly the same privileges that our taxpayers receive. That means that in addition to the regular privileges we extend to all Indiana residents (like checking out items from our shelves), you also receive access to: • Online research tools (https://www.lcplin.org/databases)like Consumer Reports, Mango Languages, and Creativebug • Streaming music (https://www.lcplin.org/streaming/music)(downloads also available!) • Streaming movies & TV shows (https://www.lcplin.org/streaming/movies-%26-tv) • eBooks (https://www.lcplin.org/streaming/ebooks)and eAudiobooks (https://www.lcplin.org/streaming/audiobooks) • Digital magazines (https://www.lcplin.org/streaming/magazines) • Digital comics (https://www.hoopladigital.com/browse/comic/popular?page=1) • Purchase requests and interlibrary loans (https://www.lcplin.org/purchase-requests) • The Libratory (https://www.lcplin.org/libratory) • Video games (https://pac.lcplin.org/polaris/search/searchresults.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&type=Keyword&term=*&by=KW&sort=MP&limit=TOM=vgm&query=&page=0)and video game consoles (https://pac.lcplin.org/polaris/view.aspx?cn=1075701,1106578) How Do I Subscribe? If you already have a card with us all you need to do is walk up to a desk and hand over $55. We accept cash or check, or can set up the option to pay online with a credit card. Or, if you'd like to pay online without visiting a branch, you can give us a call at 219-769-3541 or send us an Ask a Librarian form.(https://www.lcplin.org/ask) If you don't already have a card with us, fill out this online registration form.(https://www.lcplin.org/get-a-card) Next, bring a photo ID with your current address to any LCPL location (https://www.lcplin.org/locations/)to pay. If your photo ID doesn't have your current address, bring it along with another piece of suitable identification.(https://www.in.gov/bmv/files/BMV_Documentation_List.pdf ) (Note: If you'd rather pay online without visiting a branch, call us at 219-769-3541 or send us an Ask a Librarian form (https://www.lcplin.org/ask)after you've filled out the online registration form.) Can't I Get a Card for Free? Well, yes! We have many types of cards depending on your needs. These cards are free: Limited Access Cards If you are an Indiana resident and have a card with your home library district - the one you pay taxes to - you can get a Limited Access card. It's good for checking out physical items, but does not give you access to our online library. In-House Use Cards These are cards for people who do not want to check out materials at all. It will only let you sign up for events online, book a small group room, or use our public computers. You can learn more about these types of cards on our Borrowing Privileges (https://www.lcplin.org/borrowing)page.

Job Application Help So you've prepared your resume and cover letter , found a job you'd love to get , started the application process... and now you have questions. Maybe you're not sure how to send in your application. Or maybe you have a question about formatting your resume for this specific job. Maybe you've made it to the interview stage and aren't sure how to prepare! Don't worry, we're here for you. Employment Help Computer beginner? Check our calendar for basic tech-help classes. Need a refresher? Read the handouts from our Apply Online for a Job class. One-on-One Help Need help with an online application? Having trouble using a job search engine? Question about your resume or cover letter? Bring it on! Contact your branch to ask for a one-on-one appointment.