General information about the records the library maintains and how to submit FOIA requests.
Skokie Public Library is committed to serving our diverse community. Serving a core population of more than 65,000 and drawing reciprocal patrons from large parts of the Chicago area, we feature a collection of more than 345,000 physical items and more than a million digital titles.
The library is run by the Director, who is hired by the Board of Library Trustees. The seven members of the Board of Trustees are elected in staggered six-year terms during the Consolidated Election in April. The Board generally meets on the second Wednesday of each month at 6:30 pm in the library's Board Room on the third floor.
The library is divided into 11 departments: Access Services, Administration, Building Services, Communications and Multimedia Engagement, Community Engagement, Information Technology, Learning Experiences, Patron Engagement, Safety, Teen Services, and Youth Services. A manager chairs each department and reports to the director or the deputy director. The library has approximately 84 full-time and 67 part-time employees.
Property taxes make up a major portion of our operating revenue. Other revenue sources include fines, fees, and donations. A levy request is sent each December to the Village of Skokie who has levy authority for the library. The Fiscal Year 2026 operating budget is $14,018,282.
- Board meeting schedules*
- Board minutes*
- Board policies*
- Employee names, titles, and dates of employment
- Records of library ownership of real or personal property
- Contracts
- Annual Reports to the Illinois State Library
- Annual budgets*
- Tax levies*
- Audit reports
- Bills or invoices issued and received by the library
- Receipts for revenue
- IMRF member compensation*†
- In accordance with Illinois Public Act 101-0504, a link to IMRF's public disclosures regarding employer cost and other participation information is made available below:
Employer Cost & Participant Information
- In accordance with Illinois Public Act 101-0504, a link to IMRF's public disclosures regarding employer cost and other participation information is made available below:
*Asterisked items describe types of records which will be made available immediately upon request.
†Pursuant to Illinois law (5 ILCS 120/7.3a), a certified list of employees whose total compensation packages are $75,000 or greater is available for inspection at Skokie Public Library's Administrative Office
†Pursuant to Illinois law (5 ILCS 120/7.3b), a copy of an employee’s total compensation package equal to $150,000 or greater will be made available for inspection at Skokie Public Library’s Administrative Office at least 6 days before approval by the Skokie Public Library Board of Trustees.
Skokie Public Library’s Administrative Office is located at 5215 Oakton Street, Skokie, IL and is open from 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. The phone number is 847-673-7774.
Note: Exemptions under the Illinois Freedom of Information Act may allow non-disclosure of some parts of public records maintained by the library.
Library 2023-24 Financial Report
Revenues
| 12,284,007 | Property Taxes |
| 1,221,722 | Corporate Replacement Taxes |
| 100,040 | Per Capita and Other Grants |
| 80,672 | Fines and Other Receipts |
| 177,883 | Interest Earned |
| 13,864,324 | Total |
Expenditures
| 7,078,366 | Salary |
| 1,761,771 | Insurance and Benefits |
| 672,171 | Maintenance |
| 526,395 | Technology |
| 1,359,366 | Materials for the Collection |
| 106,805 | Programming |
| 933,287 | Capital projects |
| 561,463 | Other Expenses |
| 12,999,624 | Annual Expenses |
| (158,116) | Change in Fund Balance |
| (477,184) | Transfer from Reserve Fund for Sites and Buildings |
| 1,500,000 | Transfer to Reserve Fund |
| 13,864,324 | Total |
We accept requests for records in writing. You do not have to complete a standard form (but we have one available). Submit your written request by mail, fax, or email:
FOIA Officer
Skokie Public Library
5215 Oakton Street
Skokie, IL 60077
Fax: 847-673-7797
Email: foia@skokielibrary.info
Please keep the following things in mind as you work on your request:
- Be as specific as possible when describing the records you are seeking. Remember, the Freedom of Information Act is designed to allow you to inspect or receive copies of records. It is not designed to require a public body to answer questions. If you want to ask questions of a representative of the Skokie Public Library, call the library’s Administrative Office at 847-324-3128 to be directed to the proper person.
- Please tell us whether you would like copies of the requested records, or whether you wish to examine the records in person. You have the right to either option.
- There is no fee for up to 50 pages of standard paper copies. For pages beyond 50, there is a 15¢ per page charge.
- You are permitted to ask for a waiver of copying fees. To do that, include the following statement (or a similar statement) in your written FOIA request: “I request a waiver of all fees associated with this request.” In addition, you must include a specific explanation as to why your request for information is in the public interest—not simply your personal interest—and merits a fee waiver.
- Please include your name, preferred telephone number(s), mailing address, and, if you wish, your email address.
As we develop and improve our services and facilities here at the library, we may issue requests for proposals.
In compliance with the U.S. Departments of Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor and Treasury Transparency in Coverage (TiC) rule, machine-readable files must be made available to the public that include negotiated service rates and out-of-network allowed amounts between health plans and health care providers. The machine-readable files (MRFs) are formatted to allow researchers, regulators, and application developers to more easily access and analyze data. MRFs are monthly documents with content that can be readily processed by a computer but are not readable to humans.