Friends of the Library

Two Friends of the Library Members setting up the Fall Booksale

The Friends of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to provide gifts (programs, materials, equipment and artwork) for the library. The Friends sponsor yearly sales and maintain a book boutique (located on the first floor) offering used books and magazines for sale throughout the year.

If you are interested in learning more about the Friends of the Library contact us at friends@ahml.info.

A Friends of the Library Member Helping a Customer

Book sales follow library, local and state COVID mitigation protocols.

The Adult Sale is held in the Hendrickson Room and the Children’s Sale is held in the Cardinal Room. The Adult Sale will feature nonfiction and fiction books, DVDs, Blu-Rays, music CDs, vinyl records and audiobooks. The Children’s Sale features board and picture books, easy readers, novels and nonfiction. Buy It Now and Auction items will be for sale on the 2nd floor. Auction bidding begins Friday at 6 p.m. and ends Saturday at 2 p.m.

Location: Hendrickson Room and Cardinal Room

The Friends accept credit cards, cash, checks and PayPal. Scanning is not allowed at FOL sales on any device. For the Children's Sale, there will be a 25% teacher discount for teachers with a valid ID. There will be an $8 bag sale on Sunday (no teacher discount).

There are maximum capacity limits in each room. People may need to wait momentarily for others to leave the sale room before new shoppers may enter. Everyone’s patience is appreciated.

Upcoming Sales in 2024

Spring Used Book Sale for Adults & Children 
April 12-14 

Summer Used Book Sale for Adults & Children 
August 2-4 

Fall Used Book Sale for Adults & Children 
November 8-10 

Friends of the Library Logo

Subscribe to the Friends of the Library eNewsletter to be reminded about upcoming used book and media sales and more.

Did you misplace your copy of the FOL newsletter? Read it here. (Requires Adobe Reader)

Friends of the library members laughing together at a book sale

Membership in the Friends of the Arlington Heights Memorial Library is open to all individuals in agreement with its purposes.

  • Arlington Heights residents and non-residents are welcome.
  • Several membership categories are available: individual, family, patron, life and corporate.
  • All contributions are tax-deductible.

The membership year runs from April 1 to March 31. Applications processed between November 1 and March 31 will be for the following year which begins the next April 1.

Become a Member

If you prefer, you may submit a paper application. Paper applications are also available at the Checkout Desk on the first floor of the library. Instructions for submitting a paper application are printed on the form.

photo of book boutique
  • Visit the Friends Book Shop on the first floor of the library to find used books for adults and children, DVDs, CDs, books on CD and magazines. Fiction is alphabetized by author and non-fiction is organized by subject area.
  • Most items are priced $1 for adults, 50 cents for children.
  • Electronic devices (scanners, laptops, cell phones, etc.) are allowed in the library space, including the Friends Book Shop, subject to library policies on such use.
  • Behavior that is disruptive to patrons, creates a mess, or is unlawful is prohibited in the Friends Book Shop.
Friends of the Library External Website

Please visit the Friends Website for an expanded version of the information on this page.

simple animated graphic of book drop

The Friends of the Library are currently accepting book and media donations at the following times:

Monday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m.
Wednesday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Friday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

For donations by appointment, please call the Friends at 847-506-2663 and leave a message. Appointments are recommended for larger donations or alternate times.

Requests for Donations from the Friends of the Library:

The Friends will consider donation requests from nonprofit organizations and other groups that promote literacy, support education or provide community services. Once approved, someone will respond via the email address provided in your completed form. Preference will be given to approved organizations in our local area. Pick-up at the Arlington Heights Memorial Library is required.

Please fill out this form: Request for Donations Form

Image of Gifts the friends have donated to the library

Since its inception in 1968, the Friends have provided more than $1.5 million in gifts to the library. Funding is generally used to provide for short notice needs or needs not satisfied through the library's budgetary process. The Friends have paid for programs, materials, equipment, artwork and patron series, which include:

  • Sunday Musicale series
  • DVD shelving units
  • Blu-ray and DVD collection
  • Hendrickson Room audio/video system
  • July 4 parade float and giveaways
  • Holiday lighting
  • Art
  • Sculptures