Friends of the Library Updates

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Books Down Under (the Friends of the Library Bookstore) will be closed until further notice.

Additionally, book or media donations to the Friends of the Library will not be accepted at this time.

Officers of the Friends Board 

Membership Application

Meeting Schedule 

Meeting Minutes 

Annual Report 2019-2020

DONATE TO FRIENDS

Who are the Friends?

We are community members who love the library. Our mission is to support meaningful library programming and opportunities for the Wilmette and Kenilworth communities.

Funding for Library programming is supported in many ways.

• Books Down Under (BDU) is a used bookstore on the Library's Lower Level. Donated books are sold at bargain prices and book sales support library programs, events, art installations and materials.
• Friends' Membership and Donations additionally support programming.
• Donate to the Friends of the Library - Join the Friends of WPL today!

Friends Supported Programs

• One Book, Everybody Reads
• Shakespeare Project of Chicago
• Summer & Winter Reading Clubs
• Maker Programs
• Books for Babies

Friends Give Back

Friends give back to communities in need by sharing excess book donations from Books Down Under. By being bigger than just our community, Friends expands its local footprint and shares the love of reading and books with others who don’t have access to books. Book donations have been shared with A Just Harvest, Kid’s Corner at the Lake County Courthouse, Perspectives Charter School, Rotary Club of Wilmette, Our Place, Stand for Children, Illinois and Hands of Peace.

Officers of the Friends of the Library 2020-2021

Email contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Friends of the Library Meeting Schedule

The FOL will hold their regular business meetings on the following Wednesdays at 9:15am in the Small Meeting Room on the lower level of the library:

• September 22
• January 12
• February 16
• March 16
• April 13 (tentative)
• May 18

All FOL members and volunteers are welcome to attend.

Books Down Under

 Books Down Under is temporarily closed due to COVID-19. The store is slated to reopen in early fall 2021. Please check back for more details. 

Volunteer for Friends

Work at Books Down Under and get involved: fill out a volunteer form and return it to BDU: Bookstore Volunteer Form

DONATING TO BOOKS DOWN UNDER

Books Down Under is not currently accepting donations due to COVID-19.

Donation Guidelines:

We like:

• Gently used books in good condition
• Fiction or Nonfiction, for adults or children
• Classics in good condition
• Recent Best Sellers
• CDs  in good working condition
• Sheet music & LPs

We don't like:

• Books in poor condition
• Damaged/torn/broken bindings
• Dirty/moldy/water damaged
• Highlights, underlining, or markings
• Encyclopedia sets
• Dated nonfiction
• Outdated travel or technology books

Drop off donated books during Library hours at the staff door off the Library Parking lot. Tax forms available.