Frequently Asked Questions

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 18, 1976, the Friends have raised more than $3.3 million. These funds help maintain and enhance Library programming, our historic building, our extensive fine arts collection, and more.

Children's Book Sale

Library Foyer, during Library open hours

June 11–13, 2026

Annual Book Sale

LF Rec Center, 400 Hastings Road

September 16–19, 2027

Holiday Book Bazaar

Library Foyer, during Library open hours

November 30–December 23, 2026

About 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 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. Access a timelapse of the 2022 Friends Book Sale.

Thank you to all of the Friends donors, sponsors, supporters, and everyone who comes out to the sale each year and helps the Friends raise money for Lake Forest Library. Since its founding on March 18, 1976, the Friends have raised more than $3.3 million.

Donors to the Friends: The Negaunee Foundation, Peterson/Desenis Fund, Schreiber Fund, Uihlein Family Foundation, Dick and Donna Barry, Louise Glasser Fund, Ishwar Family Fund, David and Pam Waud

Sponsors of the Annual Book Sale: The Grainger Foundation, Uline, AT Mechanical, Lake Forest Bank, Knauz Auto Group, Sunset Foods, The Fresh Market

The Friends accept donations of gently used books, audiobooks, DVDs, and CDs. These donations are tax-deductible. Download a tax receipt. Printed tax receipts are also available at the Library back dock.

When and Where to Donate

Donations are accepted during Library open hours.

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

Book donations are closed:

• Mid-August through the end of September
• Last week of November
• Last week of December

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

Thank you for becoming a new or renewing member of the Friends. Members receive invitations to the member-only Preview Day at the Annual Book Sale.

You may pay by PayPal or check.

Complete a form and pay via the Friends PayPal page.

-OR-

Print a form to complete and mail with a check made out to "Friends of Lake Forest Library" to the Library address: 360 E Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest IL 60045.

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

The Friends of 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.

You may donate by PayPal or check.

Donate via the Friends PayPal page.

-OR-

Print a form to complete and mail with a check made out to "Friends of Lake Forest Library" to the Library address: 360 E Deerpath Rd, Lake Forest IL 60045.

The Board of the Friends of Lake Forest Library is comprised of dedicated volunteers. Board members serve three-year terms. 

Members

Tanya Huang, President

Nancy Mieling, Vice President

Leanna Walther, Treasurer

Dan Goon, Membership Secretary

Denise Andresen, Recording Secretary

Members: Paul Bergmann, Tish Borkowski, Ingrid Bryzinski, Rowena Festin, Laura Friedrich, Jan Gibson, Molly Graziano, Cynthia Hessemer, Liz Jacob, Patty Kreischer, Liz McClain, Marie Nemerov, Sande Noble, Sue Sanborn, Jane Sotos, Heather Strong, Cynthia Toohey

Honorary Members: Kaye Grabbe, Elaine Hughes, Patricia Meyer

Meetings

Members of the Friends are welcome to attend Friends Board Meetings in the Library Kasian Room, 9:15–11:15 am on the dates below.

2026

April 18

June 20

August 8

October 24

2027

January 23