Fox Lake Public Library

The Fox Lake Public Library announces that the City of Fox Lake has proposed a 40% reduction in the library’s materials budget for the upcoming fiscal year. This decrease would significantly affect the library’s ability to purchase new books, audiobooks, digital resources, and other materials that the community depends on. 

The proposed reduction is part of the City’s effort to achieve a balanced budget. Despite these financial challenges, the Fox Lake Public Library remains dedicated to providing essential educational, informational, and recreational resources to residents of Fox Lake and the surrounding area. 

To adapt to the decrease, the library tentatively plans to: 

• Prioritize the purchase of high-demand and essential materials. 

• Reduce or eliminate high-cost or low-demand formats, including the possible discontinuation of Hoopla. 

• Rely more heavily on interlibrary loan services to provide access to items beyond the local collection. 

• Encourage community input on future materials purchases to ensure they reflect local needs and interests. 

While the proposed budget cut is significant, the library’s commitment to serving the community remains strong. The library will continue seeking creative ways to make the most of available resources and ensure that essential services remain accessible. 

Community members are encouraged to support the Fox Lake Public Library by attending Library Board and City Council meetings, sharing feedback, and continuing to make use of the library’s many services. 

The final approval of the 2026 City budget is scheduled for Wednesday, November 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Fox Lake City Council Chambers.