Now you can join Friends of WPL online!

Membership Application | Bookstore Volunteer Form | Books Down Under Bookstore

Welcome to the Friends of the Wilmette Library. We are a group of information-loving people who support the library and its many activities. The Friends is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing materials, services, and financial support to the Wilmette/Kenilworth library community, which means YOU.

Look around the library, and see what the Friends contribute. Check out the bronze sculpture outside, the new computer room and equipment, online databases, and furniture and original artwork throughout the library--all the result of Friends’ donations.

Friends’ activities support the Children’s Art Show, Scholar-in-Residence Programs, One Book Reading Events, National Library Week Programs, the Summer Reading Program that attracts about 1,300 children and the annual Juried Art Show.

Election of Officers and Notice of Annual Meeting

Friends of the Wilmette Public Library recently changed its fiscal year to coincide with the fiscal year of the Wilmette Public Library. 

Therefore, beginning with the year commencing July 1, 2012, the Friends’ fiscal year will begin on July 1st and will end on June 30th of the following calendar year.  Timing of the Friends’ Annual meeting has also changed to correspond with the Library’s fiscal year. This year’s Annual Meeting will be held Monday, June 11th, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. in the Board Room on the 3rd floor of the Wilmette Public Library. The Friends of the Library Nominating Committee has submitted the following slate of officers for membership approval. Members are requested to fill out the provided ballots and return them by mail or place them in the ballot box on the Circulation Desk no later than 9:00 p.m. on June 7th.

 1. Heather Hehman for President
     a. Heather currently serves as Vice President of Friends.  She has been on the Friends’ board for two years and was formerly Membership Chair. Heather lives in Wilmette with her husband and two middle-school aged children.  They are avid users of the library and particularly love the Kids’ Summer Reading Club, One Book, Everybody Reads, and the Annex (Books Down Under). Ms. Hehman has a B.A. from the University of Michigan and worked in advertising for many years.  Most recently she was a Vice President at DDB Chicago.  She teaches conversational ESL and plays tennis for fun.

2. Emily Spectre for Vice President
   a. Emily currently serves as the Governance Officer of Friends.  She has been on the Friends’ board for one year and during this time she has, among other things, amended the bylaws.  She lives in Wilmette with her husband and two daughters.  Before choosing to stay home with her young children, Emily practiced law with a focus on intellectual property.  She is also a volunteer for the McKenzie Elementary PTA and is a Brownie Girl Scouts troop leader. 

 Officers of Friends of the Library for 2011-2012 are:
Don Campbell - President; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Heather Hehman - Vice-President; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Elaine Rucker - Secretary
Cyndy Crider - Treasurer
Emily Spectra - Governance

How does all this happen?

Books Down Under

 The Friends’ book store offers a huge selection of bargain materials for children and adults.

Wanted: Volunteer ‘Bibliophiles’ for Books Down Under

Friends of the Wilmette Public Library is looking for volunteer "bibliophiles" to assist in the operation of its highly successful second-hand bookstore, Books Down Under. Bookstore volunteers organize, price, and shelve the high-quality, gently-used books that have been donated. Sale proceeds fund Library programs and equipment including musical productions, kids’ summer reading club, computers and furniture. Applicants need to be available two mornings a week at 9:00 and be able to attend quarterly board meetings. Please send a brief bio, including volunteer and/or work experience, to Friends president, Don Campbell at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Guidelines for donations:
• free of mold, smoke, and water damage
• still have covers and other major parts
• magazines less than six months old that are not weeklies or business topics

We no longer have weekend book sales. BUT either a separate cart or shelves in the Annex or Books Down Under will hold special sale books. Check this site and signs in the library for news about sales and which genres they cover.

To find out more about the book store, its offerings, and how to volunteer, visit or call 847-256-5025 x6842.

To volunteer for the book store, board, or Friends-sponsored events, call 847-256-5025 and ask for Community Services.

Store Hours

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.