Support the Library
These two organizations actively lend financial and voluntary help to the Thomas Ford Memorial Library.
Western Springs Library Friends
The Western Springs Library Friends is a volunteer organization that supports the activities of the Library through fundraising and other work. Volunteers serve by working at book sales, hosting at sponsored library programs, and joining the Friends board.
How the Friends Help
Among the programs helped by the support of the Friends are many children's author and character programs, the
film discussions, summer reading programs for all ages, and the Friday at the Ford concert series. Funds from the Friends help the
library staff purchase equipment, furniture, and materials. They also offer scholarships for community members seeking
library profession educations.
Book Sales and Memberships
The two primary sources of funds for the Friends are its semi-annual book sales and its annual dues from
membership. The book sales take place on weekends in April and October. The Friday nights of each sale are the
Friends' membership pre-sale, open only to members. A variety of annual memberships are available:
- Individual ($10)
- Family ($25)
- Sustaining ($35)
- Patron ($50)
- Benefactor ($100)
- Life Member ($500)
Applications to join the Western Springs Library Friends are available at the Checkout Desk.
Book Donations
You may donate books for the sale at any time of the year. Boxes or bags of donations may be left in or near the Friends'
bin near the elevator on the entry level. Ask at the Checkout desk if you need assistance or wish to get a form for your tax returns.
Friends' Board Meetings
The Friends' Board meets five times a year on the second Wednesday of January, March, May, September, and November. Meetings
begin at 7 p.m. and generally last one hour. All are welcome to attend.
Thomas Ford Library Foundation
The Thomas Ford Library Foundation is dedicated to making a great library even better through gifts from the community. Tax-deductible contributions to the Foundation are invested to build an endowment and to underwrite special initiatives such as the Reading Railroad Project. This financial support to the Thomas Ford Memorial Library, in addition to tax revenue, helps to increase the value and quality of living in Western Springs.
Established in 1995, the Foundation is an independent 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. All donations receive tax benefits to the extent allowed by law.
To contribute to the Foundation, checks payable to the Thomas Ford Library Foundation are accepted at the Library or may be mailed to Thomas Ford Library Foundation, 800 Chestnut Street, Western Springs, IL 60558. For further information please contact Anne Kozak, Library Director, at 708-246-0520 or Liz Burns, Foundation Chair, at 708-246-2392.
