Who are the Friends?
We are a group of local folks just like you, who care about helping our community’s library continue to be the outstanding resource for the residents of Elmwood Park and their children.
Officers:
- President - Jack Bower
- Secretary - Mary Alvord
- Treasurer - Anna Machalski
Contact the friends at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
How long have the Friends been around?
There has been a group of residents involved as volunteers about as long as there has been a library in Elmwood Park.
What do the Friends do?
Our primary purpose is to raise money to enhance library programs and resources. Since 2002 we have raised approximately $30,000 through membership fees and bookcase sales.
Where does the money go?
Money we raise goes to supporting the Library in a variety of ways:
- Sponsorship of adult and youth programs, including support for programs such as genealogy, cooking, floral, health, and antique programs, as well as many performances from children's entertainers. Look for Friends-sponsored events with the Library's online calendar, our newsletter, and in-house signage.
- Special collections & building items that are not within the annual library budget. Some additions have included the children's puppet theater, modular children's furniture, Explore-To-Go Science Kits, an outdoor bench and butterfly garden.
- Support for special annual events, including Summer Reading and the Fourth of July parade.
Being a Friend
Types of Membership
Active Member - Choose to be an active member. Attend monthly meetings and/or volunteer to assist with book sales, special events, and other Friends-sponsored programs.
Supporting Member - Don't have the time to be involved? You can be a supporting member of the Friends with your simple $5.00 annual membership donation.
How do I become a Friend of the Elmwood Park Public Library?
Whether you want to become an active or supporting member of the Friends, print out the Membership Form and either mail it or drop it off to the Library along with your $5.00 donation (or $25.00 for a business membership).
If you have any questions please contact the Adult Services desk for more information at 708.395.1217.
Book Sales
Lobby Book Sale Shelves
In addition to membership, the Friends raise funds by organizing and maintaining an ongoing book sale in the Library’s lobby. Browse paperbacks, kids books, cookbooks, DVDs, and more. Choose items and simply pay at the donation box.
All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Library, which supports the Library's programs and collections.
Book Donations
Support the Friends' book sales by donating your new and gently used books to the Library at the drop box in the lobby. Please do NOT put them through the library return slots in the front of the building.
Please make sure your donations are clean, dry, and in good condition. We are not accepting product manuals, textbooks, encyclopedias, or magazines.
Thank you.
Annual/Pop-Up Book Sales
In addition to the ongoing Lobby Book Sale Shelves mentioned above, we occasionally schedule smaller pop-up book sales and/or larger annual events during the year in the Library's meeting rooms, once we have accumulated enough appealing inventory.
Keep your eyes open for announcements of future dates and times.
