Neighbors in Buffalo Grove no longer have to worry about which side of the street they live on when it comes to checking out library books. 

Effective immediately, residents can visit either library to verify their residency and walk away with a fully active library card, regardless of which service area their home falls within, thanks to a new intergovernmental agreement.

Unlike many municipal services, the borders of the library districts in Buffalo Grove cut through neighborhoods and individual streets. Historically, this meant a resident might visit the Vernon Area Library, only to find they "belonged" to Indian Trails. Under the old rules, staff had to send the patron to the other district’s physical building just to register.

"It was a lot of running around," noted Vernon Area Public Library Director Anne Rasmussen. "We wanted to replace a frustrating administrative hurdle with an experience that is easy and simple. This partnership puts patron needs ahead of zip code maps."

As a result of a new administrative partnership, both libraries can now verify residency and issue cards for the neighboring district on the spot, providing a "one-stop" registration experience, relieving residents of the burden of knowing district boundaries.

"It’s a friendly administrative solution to a long-standing local quirk," added Indian Trails Executive Director Brian D. Shepard. "We want our residents to spend their time reading and learning, not navigating district maps."

This seamless service is made possible by both libraries’ participation in the Cooperative Computer Services (CCS) consortium. Both VAPLD and ITPLD share the same database, catalog, and registration procedures.

Catalog improvements are here — again!

Last September, we took a major step forward by joining the CCS network, giving you access to millions of items from 30+ local libraries. Today we have launched a brand-new catalog interface designed to make finding, organizing, and enjoying those millions of items easier than ever.

Think of last fall as getting a much bigger library; think of this spring as getting a much better way to navigate it.

This software upgrade focuses on your experience. Whether you’re on a desktop or a smartphone, you’ll find a modern, accessible design with powerful new tools:

• Smarter Searching: You don’t need to be a database expert to find what you want. Use everyday language — like "new movies" or "award winners" — to get instant, relevant results.
• Decluttered Results: We’ve heard your feedback about messy search results. Our new "Grouped Results" feature brings every edition and format (print, e-book, and audiobook) of a title into one single, easy-to-read entry.
• Personal Reading Shelves: This is your new digital home for books. Easily track what you’ve read, what you’re currently reading, and what you want to borrow next. You can even create and share booklists with the community.
• Community Discovery: See what your neighbors are reading! Explore ratings, reviews, and curated "Staff Picks" to find your next great read.
• Accessibility First: The new interface is built for everyone, with improved support for screen readers, keyboard navigation, and high-contrast viewing.

Just like our last upgrade, the things you love about Vernon Area Public Library remain the same. Your favorite friendly faces are still here to help and you will continue to enjoy no overdue fines and automatic renewals.

The Vernon Area Public Library "Branch Out" reading program booklet was named a winner in the 2026 American Library Association PR Xchange Awards. 

The award recognizes excellence in library marketing nationwide. 

The Branch Out booklet was designed by library staff to provide engaging, human-curated reading recommendations. It features 12 reading themes, each accompanied by nine handpicked book suggestions and personal "handwritten" annotations. 

The program leans into the idea that "reading is its own reward." A collectible pin is the reward for those who complete the progam, and library power users will enjoy the prestige of showing off their years of reading. 

The program is designed to provide enough structure to encourage readers to try something new, along with enough flexibility to read at their own pace and on their own terms. 

The PR Xchange Award will be officially presented on June 27, 2026, at the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago.

Last September we took a massive leap forward by joining the CCS network, effectively handing you a "golden ticket" to millions of items from over 30 local libraries. It was like our library grew tenfold overnight.

On May 19, we are launching a brand-new catalog interface. If last fall was about expanding our collection, this spring is about perfecting how you find it. Here is a look at what’s changing and what you need to know for day one.

What’s New?

The new interface is faster, sleeker, and designed to work beautifully on your desktop, tablet, or smartphone.

• Smarter, Natural Searching: No more "database speak." Type in phrases like "award winners" or "new movies" to get instant, relevant results.
• Decluttered Results: No more scrolling through multiple entries for the same book. Every edition — print, e-book, and audiobook — is grouped into one single, easy-to-read entry.
• Personal Reading Shelves: Track what you’ve finished, what you’re reading now, and what you want to borrow next. 
• Community Discovery: See what your neighbors are reading! Explore ratings, reviews, and curated "Staff Picks" to find your next favorite story.
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What to Expect on Your First Visit

When the new catalog goes live on May 19, your first login will look a little different. Here’s a quick "Day One" checklist:

• Create Your Username: You can finally ditch the 14-digit barcode! The first time you log in, you’ll be asked to create a unique username. This makes future logins a breeze.
• Set Your Privacy: You’ll choose an account name (a public nickname) for any reviews or lists you want to share. Don’t worry — your borrowing history remains private until you specifically choose to share. 
• Import Your Lists: Have you saved items to a list in your library account? Use the “Import List Items” button to move them over to your new "For Later" shelf.

Accessibility First

This upgrade was built for everyone. The new interface includes robust support for screen readers, seamless keyboard navigation, and high-contrast viewing options to ensure every patron has access to the digital shelves.
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