Friends of the Barrington Area Library

Established in 1956, the Friends of the Barrington Area Library is a tax-exempt, volunteer organization dedicated to supporting the Barrington Area Library. This support falls into two categories—fund-raising and volunteer service.

Book sales

Join the Friends for their book sales June 21 & 22, 2008; and October 18 & 19, 2008. Selected books may also be purchased from the Friends on eBay. To browse only Friends' books, search by the seller's user ID of balfriends.

Call for books!

The Friends of the Barrington Area Library are in need of book donations for their upcoming sale. If you have books at home that you no longer use or need, please consider donating them to the Friends. For information, contact the Friends at friends@barringtonarealibrary.org or call 847-382-1300 x226.

Fund-raising

The Friends' principal fund-raising activities are used book sales, held several times each year at the library. The wide-ranging assortment of books and other materials available at these large sales make them popular in Barrington and surrounding communities.

Volunteer service

As you might expect, the Friends spend a great deal of time organizing the books that are donated for the sales. This is important work since the sale would not be a success without having the books well-organized in advance. Other ways to volunteer include working during the book sales, helping with the members’ newsletter, or serving on the board.

Where your money goes

Book sale receipts, membership dues, and contributions purchase needed materials for the library, not covered by the regular budget.  The Friends helped purchase the library's new plasma display screen, laptops and wireless equipment for the Laptop Checkout Program, books and supplies for the Books for Babies Program, a new 3M book security system, and much more.  The Friends also manage the budget for the Barrington Area Library Sculpture Garden .

The benefits of joining

The Friends of the Barrington Area Library foster our library’s growth by involving people like you. Besides the important work of providing quality information, a busy library is the center of a healthy community.   While some groups are based on a fraternal order, the Friends is open to all residents who enjoy using the library. The Friends is a diverse group that, like the library, is a reflection of the community. 

To join the Friends

Membership rates:

Individual: $20
Family: $25
Senior (65+): $10
Senior Couples: $15
Supporting: $50
Patron: $100
Lifetime: $250
Benefactor: $1,000

Please send your name, address, and phone number, along with your membership dues, to:

Friends of the Barrington Area Library
P.O. Box 65
Barrington, IL 60011

To contact the Friends by email: friends@barringtonarealibrary.org

Are you interested in sorting donated books or working at book sales? Include this information with the above, and a Friend will contact you.