Friends Logo with stripes in the background

The Friends of Wilmette Public Library 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 or join the Friends today to support Library programs! 

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Books Down Under Hours

Books Down Under is open the following days and times:

Monday           11am-5pm 
Tuesday           9am-5pm
Wednesday    11am-5pm
Thursday         9am-5pm
Friday              11am-5pm
Saturday         9am-4:45pm
Sunday           1pm-4:45pm

Friends Supported Programs

  • One Book, Everyone Reads
  • Summer & Winter Reading Clubs
  • 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.

This year, material donations were shared with: A Just Harvest, Kidz Korner at the Lake County Courthouse, Humble Design, The Warming House, Mather High School Library, and GSA Club at New Trier High School.

This year, the Friends also gifted rare books to Northwestern University Libraries, Pritzker Military Museum and Library, and the Newberry Library.

Officers of the Friends of the Library 2022-2023

Cecilia Clarke - President

Saloni Desharnais - Secretary

Susan Friedman - Book Room Co-Chair

Liz Allan - Book Room Co-Chair

Susan Morrison - Book Room Vice-Chair

 

Cindy Levine - Membership Chair

Judy Schnecke - Hospitality Co-Chair

Traci Bernthal - Treasurer

Jennifer Mullman - Marketing Chair

Email the Friends of the Wilmette Public Library

Friends of the Library FY23-24 Meeting Schedule

The Friends of the Library 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:

  • October 11, 2023
  • January 10, 2024
  • February 14, 2024
  • March 13, 2024
  • April 10, 2024 (tentative)
  • May 15, 2024

All members and volunteers are welcome to attend.

Books Down Under

Books Down Under is open the following days and times:

Monday          11am-5pm 
Tuesday          9am-5pm
Wednesday   11am-5pm
Thursday        9am-5pm
Friday             11am-5pm
Saturday         9am-4:45pm
Sunday            1pm-4:45pm

 

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

Drop off donated books to during Library hours in the staff entrance vestibule, located on the northeast side of the building near the Library van parking space. Tax receipts available.

 

Donation Guidelines

We accept:

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

We decline:

  • 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