Friends Of The Oak Park Public Library

About Us:

The Friends of the Oak Park Library was founded in the mid-1950s prior to the opening of the Library in June 1958. Its purpose was to provide "support of the library, broader understanding of what the library offers, and wider use of the library by more people." Volunteers went door-to-door soliciting members, money and materials. Through their efforts over $24,000 was raised to provide funding for most of the library's furniture and equipment.

Over the years the Friends have donated thousands of dollars to the Library to enhance its collections, building and services. In 2002 the Friends donated more than $11,000 to the Library to completely revamp one of the Library's rooms into a magazine/newspaper reading room. This is in addition to the numerous children's programs offered during the year and the almost $4,000 donated to the Library in 2001 to purchase interactive educational games for the Children's area!