About the Friends
The Friends of the McHenry Public Library is a non-profit organization whose members are interested in promoting the value of the library, enriching its resources, 
and promoting its services. The Friends provide support for the library through volunteer service, fund-raising, and program promotion.
Check the library's Events Calendar for the most current information. All potential members are welcome to attend. Volunteer opportunities include: book sales, book sorting, special speakers, children's programs, membership, newsletter/publicity, and special events.
Anyone interested in serving on a Friends committee or volunteering for a Friends project should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. the group.
Officers: Bill Edminster, President; Sharon Gorski, Vice President; Barb Koch, Secretary; Georgann Caputo, Treasurer.
The Friends board and members generally meet at 7 p.m. on the third Thursday of February, May, September, and November in the Library's Meeting Room.
Upcoming Events
- When: Saturday, April 15, from 10:00 am-1:00 pm
- Where: By the library's warehouse entrance -- enter through the north parking lot towards the back
- What: They'll take books in good condition (no mold, mildew, tears or stains), DVDs and CDs. They WON'T accept: textbooks, VHS, cassettes, encyclopedias, magazines, LP records, or Readers' Digest condensed books.
Guidelines for the donation drive:
- Bags/ boxes of items CANNOT weigh more than 10 pounds each.
- When you get to the front of the line, pop your trunk/hatch, and the Friends will review your items and accept only what meets their criteria.
Spring Book Sale
Upcoming Friends Meetings
The next Friends Meeting will be Thursday, May 18, at 7:00 pm in the Library's Meeting Room #136. Check the Library's Events Calendar for exact dates/times.
Book Donation Guidelines
While the Friends of the Library appreciate your book, DVD, CD donations of gently used items, please be respectful of these guidelines.
Donations can be brought to the Checkout Desk inside the Library. The Library will have a hand cart available for patrons to use to bring donations into the Library. Please limit the weight of boxes or bags of items to 10 lbs.
The Friends don’t accept:
- Magazines
- LP records
- VHS
- Cassettes
- Encyclopedias
- Textbooks
- Reader's Digest condensed books
The Friends won’t accept items that are in any of the following conditions:
- riped
- stained
- moldy or mildewed
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Activities
The Friends host fund-raising events each year, such as used and ongoing book sales, and they help sponsor the annual Summer Reading Program as well as children's book discussion groups and movie programs. Their ongoing used book sale area is near the library's Checkout Desk.
Membership Benefits
In addition to the satisfaction of nurturing the library, Friends' members enjoy the chance to contribute to the growth and well-being of our community, and it's an opportunity to have fun and socialize with others who value the library's contributions to our lives.
How to Join the Friends
Click here to download and print a membership form, or pick one up at the library's Checkout Desk and return it with your dues payment. Your renewable membership is good for one calendar year as indicated on the membership card.
Accomplishments
Funds raised by the Friends help the library to thrive by purchasing items not covered in the library's regular budget, and by sponsoring programs and special celebrations. Recent gifts include:
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- New public services desks
- Digital monitors for lobby announcements
- Annual movie license
- Inventory security system
- Summer reading incentives
- Sponsorship of children's book discussion groups
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The Friends have accomplished a great deal since the group was formed many years ago. Please consider joining the Friends in their efforts.
