FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY

Join or Volunteer | Membership Application (pdf) | Bookstore Volunteer Form (pdf)

Happy 10th Anniversary to the Friend's book store, Books Down Under, and all the volunteers who work there on the library's behalf!

The Friends is a local, non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of Wilmette's library by providing materials, services, and programming not funded by the library budget. Group membership supplies volunteer and financial support for a wide range of library activities. Friends' activities include an Annual Juried Art Show, Children's Art Fair, Scholar-in-Residence Program, special National Library Week programs, and the Summer Reading Program that attracts about 1,300 children.

The Friends is run by a ten-member board that meets every other month. Income for Friends activities comes from yearly membership dues and the sale of used books and audio-visual materials in the volunteer-run bookstore, Books Down Under. Meetings and membership in Friends are open to everyone, so come share your ideas.

Books Down Under

Friends operates a book store, Books Down Under, that offers a huge selection of materials for children and adults at reasonable prices. The books and audio-visual materials for sale either come from donations or stock weeded from the library's collection. Friends volunteers sort and display the books at the bookstore on the lower level of the library, on book shelves in the Lobby, and for sales throughout the year.To find out more about the book store, its offerings and upcoming sales, visit or call 847-256-5025 x6942.

Store Hours:
Tuesday & Thursday   9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. - 8:45 p.m.
Wednesday        1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Saturday        9:00 a.m. - 4:45 p.m.
Sunday          1:30 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

GIFTS TO THE LIBRARY

Besides events, Friends donates more than $50,000 annually for the purchase of books, audiocassettes, CDs, furnishings, computer equipment and online databases, and original artwork. These purchases are made possible by the generosity of North Shore residents who donate their time, books, and audio-visual materials. Many donate funds as well.

Please make sure donations are free of mold, smoke, and water damage and that they still have covers and other major parts. We only take magazines less than six months old that are not weeklies or business topics that become outdated as soon as they're printed.

FRIENDS LATEST GIFT - LIFE'S LESSONS - Bronze sculpture purchased by Friends of WPL honors Dick Thompson, outgoing Director.

BECOME A MEMBER AND VOLUNTEER!

How to join: If you would like to join Friends, fill out the membership form below and return by mail or in person to the Wilmette Public Library. Membership forms are also available in the library lobby or in the bookstore, Books Down Under.

Donate books: If you would like to donate materials for Books Down Under, drop them off inside the employee entrance marked "Deliveries" at the furthest east entrance on the parking lot side of the building. You can also leave donations at the front desk or bring them to Books Down Under.

Volunteer: If you would like to volunteer for work at the bookstore, on any Friends-sponsored events, or on the Friends Board, call 847-256-5025 and ask for Community Services.

Join this wonderful group that helps keep the Wilmette Public Library the great institution it is. Download a Friends of the Wilmette Public Library membership form here >> (.pdf)