Supporting the Des Plaines Public Library for nearly 70 years!
Founded in 1954, Des Plaines Friends of the Library is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that raises funds to provide gifts (programs, materials, equipment, and artwork) for the library. The Friends sponsor a Spring and Fall used book sale and maintain an ongoing book sale shelf located on the first floor, offering used books, movies, audiobooks, and magazines for sale throughout the year.
Friends' book sales
Do you love quality used books at great prices? Then you'll love the Friends' book sales!
It's easy to be a member of the Friends. Complete a membership application and return it to the library. Once you're a member, you'll pay annual dues:
$5 per year for an individual
$10 per year for a family
Good Friend ($25 – $99 donation) or Benefactor ($100+) memberships are available too!
As a Friend, you'll help organize and run the Friend’s two annual book sales and maintain the ongoing book sale shelf. Friends members also have access to the book sales prior to the public!
Friends Monthly "Roundtable" Meetings
The Friends meet the fourth Tuesday of most months at 6:30 p.m. in the Board Room on the second floor. There is no meeting in July and December. The general/annual meeting is in May and is held in a first floor meeting room.
Contact the Friends at dpplfol@outlook.com or 847-376-2922 for more information.
2023 OFFICERS
2022 Friends of the Library Officers Arlene Arend (Secretary), Debra Sus (Treasurer) John Leach (President), and Karen Wierer (VP Membership)
President: John Leach
Vice President Membership: Karen Wierer
Treasurer: Debra Sus
Secretary: Arlene Arend
What the Friends support
All year long, the funds raised by the Friends via book sales and dues support a wide range of library programs designed to appeal to diverse communities in Des Plaines. Toddlers, grade-schoolers, teens, adults and people with special needs benefit from these activities that are made possible by the Friends’ dedicated volunteer fundraising. Friends-supported activities include:
Adult Programs
Friends-sponsored activities for adults include Friday evening and Sunday afternoon movies, Wii games, cultural lectures, and live performances. Friends also provide funds for adult summer reading prizes.
Family Programs
Musical fun, puppets, live animals and more: the Friends support events for the whole family including Friends Family Sundays and other programs.
Kids' Programs
Friends sponsor fun at the library for kids of all ages including live musical and theatrical performances. The Friends also sponsor kids’ summer reading program events and prizes. In 2017, more than 2,500 children participated in this Friends supported program.
Teen Programs
For teens, the Friends supports the annual Battle of the Bands, as well as reading clubs and programs from yoga to snacks at the Finals Cafe. The 2017 Battle of the Bands winner went on to compete and win at the state level!
