Friends of Lake Forest Library

 

Friends News

Upcoming Friends Events & Meetings

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This event is in the "Adults" group.
This event is in the "Kids and Families" group.
This event is in the "Everyone" group.

Contact us

For info about the Friends, or to arrange for local pick-up of larger donations of books, please send a message to the Friends.

You can also follow the Friends on Facebook and Instagram!

Did you donate books?

 

How You Can Help

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Become a Member

Thank you for your interest in becoming a member of the Friends. Members receive invitations to special events and admittance to the members-only Preview Day at the Annual Book Sale.
Do you want to receive the Library eNews full of upcoming events, news, and more?
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Membership Payment

You may pay by check or online.

Pay by check

Make check payable to: Friends of Lake Forest Library

Mail your check to:

Friends of Lake Forest Library
360 E Deerpath Rd
Lake Forest IL 60045

Pay online

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Volunteer

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with the Friends. We have volunteer opportunities year-round to help sort and price donated books. Volunteers are especially needed in September to set up and help during the Annual Book Sale.

Please complete and submit our volunteer form and we will be in touch.

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Financial Donation

Your donation supports the Friends of the Lake Forest Library in their mission to provide funding for library programming and renovations. Thank you!

Friends of the Lake Forest Library is a charitable organization and is exempt from federal taxation as described by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, amended.

About the Friends

The Friends of Lake Forest Library is a group of dedicated supporters and library enthusiasts. It is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that works to support the mission and services of Lake Forest Library, as well as to engage in related educational, charitable, and cultural activities.

The Friends raise funds through book sales, Friends memberships, and your monetary and book donations, all of which make a huge difference to Lake Forest Library and the community. Since its founding March 21, 1976, the Friends have raised over two million dollars. These funds help maintain and enhance Library programming, our historic building, our extensive fine arts collection, and more.

 

Book Donations & Sales

Jump to: How You Can HelpFriends BoardGratitude

The Friends accept donations of gently used books, audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs.

These donations are tax-deductible. Tax receipts are available at the back dock of the Library and can be downloaded.

The success of the book sales depends on your donations.

Processing book donations requires a lot of time and effort on the part of Friends volunteers. Please review the guidelines on this page to ensure that your book donations are processed appropriately.

The Friends reserves the right to accept or reject donated books based on their condition and resale value.

When & Where to Donate

Please put your used book donations in the blue bins on the back dock of the Library.

Donations are accepted during Library hours.

Book donations are closed:

  • September 1–30
  • November 22–28
  • December 22–31

Desired Items

  • Gently used fiction, nonfiction, and cookbooks
  • Like-new books with dust jackets
  • Children's books
  • Collectible books
  • DVDs and music CDs
  • Puzzles and board games
  • Not Accepted

    • Damaged, soiled, or musty items
    • Encyclopedias
    • Reader's Digest or Time Life books
    • Outdated (5+ years) technical/professional books
    • Library discards
    • Magazines
    • Video games
    • VHS/Cassettes/Records

    History of the Annual Book Sale

    The Friends of Lake Forest Library held their first used book sale on September 18, 1976, in the Library courtyard and lobby. The sale raised about $4,000. Over the years, the sale moved from the Library to the Gorton Community Center parking lot, to Market Square, to a yellow tent in West Park, and finally to its current location in the Lake Forest Recreation Center Gymnasium.

    Now an annual Lake Forest tradition, the four-day fall book sale offers more than 108 categories of high-quality used books at bargain prices. Thank you to all of our donors, sponsors, supporters, and everyone who comes out to the sale each year and helps the Friends raise money for Lake Forest Library.

    Timelapse of the 2022 Book Sale

     

     

    Supporters & Gratitude

    Jump to: About Our Book SalesHow You Can HelpBook DonationsFriends Board

    Thank you

    We would like to acknowledge and thank the individuals, organizations, and foundations who generously support the Friends of Lake Forest Library through their donations and/or sponsorship of the Annual Book Sale. Our mission to help the Library would not be possible without your continued support.

    Donors to Friends

    Negaunee Foundation

    Peterson/Desenis Charitable Fund

    John and Kathleen Schreiber Foundation

    Sponsors of the Annual Book Sale

    The Grainger Foundation

    Uline

    AT Mechanical

    Lake Forest Bank

    Knauz Auto Group

    Sunset Foods

    The Fresh Market

    Thank you from the Library

    Lake Forest Library is grateful for the Friends for their promotion of the value of the Library to the cultural and educational life of Lake Forest. In addition, annual grants from the Friends have supported:

    Library programming for the community including Summer Reading, Lake Forest Reads, and Read Between the Ravines.

    Enhancement of Library resources including the purchase of the Library's very first computer in the 1980s, several eBook readers for staff experimentation and learning in 2010, and almost 50% of the cost of the Media Lab in 2014.

    Building Maintenance including restoration of the art deco drinking fountain in the Children's Library foyer and 90% of the cost of restoration of 26 windows in the building in 2013.

    Giving back to the community including the annual provision of three $2,000 scholarships to graduating seniors.

    Fine art collection development and restoration including: