Friends of the Library
Join the Friends
Library lovers are invited to join the Friends of the Northbrook Public Library, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt volunteer organization that raises funds to help support library programs and services through membership fees, the used bookshop, and quarterly book sales. Membership starts at just $10, and you can join and pay online or by mail.
Friends Membership Levels
Individual: $10 | Family: $20 | Contributor: $25 | Donor $50 | Guarantor: $250 | Sponsor: $100 | Patron: $500 | Benefactor: $1000
Renew your membership or purchase used books
We make it easy to join or renew your membership and pay for books at the Bookshop online using PayPal. Or, if you would rather join or renew your membership by check, you can mail a check to the address below.
Pay using a credit or debit card
Use this PayPal link to purchase books online or to join or renew your Friends membership. (PayPal provides the option to pay with a credit or debit card.)
Join or renew your membership by mail
If you would prefer to pay by mail, please mail a check with your name, address, and phone number to:
Friends of the Northbrook Public Library
1201 Cedar Lane
Northbrook IL 60062
Membership envelopes are also available at the library. If you have questions, email us at friends@northbrook.info.
Friends' Used Bookshop
Located at the west entrance to the library, The Friends Used Bookshop offers collections of fiction, non-fiction, coffee table books. and paperbacks. If a volunteer is not present to take your payment, please place your payment into a secure box on the door in the Bookshop, or use this PayPal link to purchase your books. Three managers and a dozen volunteers make up the shop staff. Additional volunteers are always welcome!
Bookshop Hours
- Monday-Thursday: 9:00am-9:00pm
- Friday: 9:00am-6:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am-5:00pm
- Sunday: 1:00-5:00pm
Pricing
$1 to $9 per title
25¢/paperback
Book Donations: Please drop off book donations at the Bookshop or in the donation bin in the west vestibule. (We do not accept encyclopedias, A/V materials, medical, or legal texts.)
For tax purposes, the Friends of the Library can supply documentation on the number of books donated; however, we cannot assign a value to them. To obtain a donation receipt, please visit the Bookshop.
Used Book Sales
Our book sales are held in the library's Civic Room, located in the lobby near the west entrance.
2026 Used Book Sales
- October 23 & 24, 10am-4pm*
2027 Used Book Sales
- Jan 29 & 30, 10am-4pm*
- April 30 & May 1, 10am-4pm*
- July 23 & 24, 10am-4pm*
- October 22 & 23, 10am-4pm*
* Friends Members-Only Preview Nights are held on the Thursday before each sale, at 6:30-8:30pm.
Note: No scanning or bulk buying is permitted on Thursday nights. Our Thursday evening sales are exclusively for Friends of the Library members and are intended for personal shopping only. This helps ensure a comfortable, enjoyable, and non-disruptive experience for our local members. Resellers are welcome to shop on Friday and Saturday. We value our reseller community and appreciate their support; however, Thursday preview nights are strictly reserved for personal use.
Who are the Friends of the Library?
- We are a group of people who are proud of our excellent library dedicated to helping the library serve the community.
- Our 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt organization receives funds through memberships and Bookshop sales.
- We work to increase public awareness of library resources and services and assist in fundraising efforts to provide the library with an enhanced collection and improved services. We also support new library services and facilities, and the Freedom to Read Statement, as expressed in the American Library Association's Bill of Rights.
Why join the Friends of the Library?
Stay in Touch
- Look for our column in the library's quarterly newsletter. We also send mailings to members. If you have any questions, please email us at friends@northbrook.info.
- If you are a Friend of the Library and you are not receiving email from us, please email friends@northbrook.info, and we'll add you to our email list.
Friends Board
President: Merrill Medansky
Vice President: Marlene Dubas
Recording Secretary: Mary Reynolds
Treasurer: Julie Achler Hokin
Board Members: Julie Achler-Hokin, Claire Bonnema, Michele Buttermore, Daniel Cacchione, Steven DeRoose, Marlene Dubas, Ktrina Elliott, Sarena Green, Dorth Korst, Lin Li, Merrill Medansky, Margot Molay, Carol Ng, Mary Reynolds
2026 Friends Board Meetings
The Friends of the Library Board will meet in the Civic Room from 10am-12pm on:
- February 10, 2026
- May 12, 2026
- August 11, 2026
- November 10, 2026
Join the Board
If you would like to join the Board or learn more, please email us at friends@northbrook.info or call 847-272-6224 x.175.
For other opportunities to support the library, visit the Library Foundation page.