Friends of the Library

Who are the Friends of the Blue Island Public Library?

     The Friends are a grass-roots organization of community members interested in supporting and participating in efforts to enhance the quality of our public library. Members assist the library staff in developing programs of local interest. We work to inform residents of library programs and services and strive to encourage their participation in library events. The Friends work to assist the library in raising funds for special needs, projects, and programs. We also provide a channel for community members to express ideas and offer suggestions about the library and to help support advocacy on its behalf.

Who can join the Friends?

  All persons, businesses, and groups are invited to become Friends of the Library. The minimum annual dues are $8.00 for new and returning individual members and $10.00 for families. There are various membership levels for those who wish to provide additional financial support for the Friends and the Library. Members who join the Friends at the $20.00 or more level receive our centennial book bag or a signed Jack Simmerling centennial Library print as our way of saying "Thank You."

What are the Friends doing and planning to do?

    The Friends work to raise supplementary funds for the library. Currently, the Friends’ fundraising efforts consist of our annual membership drive beginning each summer, our big once-a-year book sale in September, and our ongoing used book sales at the library. The Friends also offer promotional items, such as the Friends' commemorative book bags and tee shirts featuring Jack Simmerling's Blue Island's three historic library buildings, and unframed prints of this work signed by the artist. 

The Friends work to promote the library by participating in local events, such as Main Street’s TGIF picnics, the Blue Island House and Garden walks, and the Blue Island Community Expo and Senior Fair. We are also presenting educational and entertaining programs both at the library and on Blue Island’s local cable access station as other ways to reach out to the community. Authors and actors, artists and musicians, even chefs and model railroaders have participated in these informative and fun events.

The Friends also have fun by hosting library receptions in recognition of authors, artists, and area business and community leaders, and social get-togethers like the Annual Christmas Tree Trim. They also have fun by working on projects like planting the “Friendship Garden” that help beautify the library grounds.

The Friends plan to do more and we need your help!

Why should I join the Friends?

     The volunteer efforts and financial support of community members like you play an invaluable role in enhancing the quality of your local public library. In turn, a quality public library helps to enhance the quality of area schools, businesses, and the city in general, by providing needed library services as well as cultural and intellectual opportunities that make a community like Blue Island attractive to live in. So when you help the Friends, you’re helping your community as well!

How can I join the Friends, and when do they meet?

  Join the Friends by completing a membership form, which you can find on the Friends' pages of the library Web site or on the Friends' book cart at the library, and sending or bringing it and your annual membership dues to the library. If you are interested in becoming a more active participant in the Friends, you are most welcomed to attend our monthly planning meetings. The Friends meet in the library at 6:00 pm on the second Tuesday of most months. We hope to see you there.

If you are interested in joining the Friends, just print out the membership application, complete it, and include your membership dues plus any additional contribution you wish to make. You may pay by check or money order made out to The Friends of the Blue Island Public Library.

      Then return your membership application and contribution to:

The Friends of the Blue Island Public Library
2433 York St.
Blue Island, IL 60406

If you would like to play a more active role in the Friends by helping us with a program, project, fundraiser, or whatever, just join us at the library on the second Tuesday of most months at 6:00 pm and give us a little of your time and talent.  You can even jot us a note or send e-mail to friends@blueislandlibrary.org or biplfriends@hotmail.com with your comments, ideas, and suggestions. 

However you decide to help the Friends, it will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.