Grayslake Gives:
How the Friends of the Grayslake Area Public Library and Grayslake Library Foundation Support Our Community
At the heart of the Grayslake community is the Grayslake Area Public Library - a place where knowledge is shared, connections are made, and imaginations are sparked. More than just a building filled with books, our library is a vibrant hub where people of all ages come together to learn, grow, and engage with one another. Through the vast catalog of resources and services available, many people are touched by the library’s impactful offerings day in and day out.
Supporting this vital institution found at the heart of the Grayslake Village Center are two dedicated groups: the Friends of the Grayslake Area Public Library and the Grayslake Library Foundation. While they are different groups, both have similar goals that play a crucial role in advancing the library’s initiatives and contributions. Through a variety of fundraising efforts by hard-working volunteers, these groups help the library thrive.
We want to take the time to introduce you to these groups, the incredible work they do to strengthen the Grayslake Area Public Library, and how you can help.
Friends of the Grayslake Area Public Library
The Friends of the Library are a group of volunteers who support the library financially through the sale of donated, gently used books and other items. These items are collected and sorted by volunteers, and offered for sale at the Books and More Store located in the library lobby.
The Friends accept books, CDs, DVDs, puzzles and board games year round. If you’d like to contribute, you’ll find a donation cart by the Library’s Front Desk. These donations are carefully sorted by the Friends’ volunteers, who also manage the sale shelves and organize the highly anticipated book sales.
The Friends’ book sales take place every spring and fall – transforming the library’s first floor meeting rooms and lobby area into a treasure trove of thousands of books and more. Prices are incredibly affordable – usually ranging from $1 - $3 each. Periodically, the popular Brown Bag Sale takes place. For just $5, you can fill as many remaining items as the bag can hold. The Friends will hold their next Brown Bag Sale at the library on Saturday, March 1st from 10 am – 3 pm.
All proceeds from the Friends’ sales are donated directly back to the library as a gift. The library then allocates these funds toward various initiatives such as the Summer Reading Challenge t-shirts, the Summer & Winter Concert Series, The Hub (makerspace) equipment, and other items to enhance the library’s services.
To support such efforts, the Friends of the Library are always looking for new volunteers. Their current team typically volunteers one or more two-hour shifts each week (Monday, Thursday and Friday 10 am – 12 pm) and Tuesday afternoons (1 pm – 3 pm) and helps manage the book sales.
As their current president, Marilyn Sarich explained, “Being a volunteer, I’ve met really great people. We all share a love of books and enjoy giving our time to support the library and its many initiatives benefiting our community.”
If you have a love of books and want to give back, consider joining the Friends of the Library. Learn more and fill out an application to volunteer by visiting https://www.grayslake.info/friends-of-the-library/. And next time you are looking to buy a new book, be sure to visit the Books and More Store sale shelves and stop by their book sales – you’ll get new material to enjoy and the library will benefit from your dollars spent.
Grayslake Library Foundation
While the Friends of the Library provide essential volunteer support and fundraising through book sales, the Grayslake Library Foundation complements the library’s vision of an engaged community by developing ongoing financial support through major fundraising events such as their Pouring Over Pages event held annually in March and their Escape Room: Unlock into Adventure fundraiser which takes place in the Fall.
As an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Foundation’s mission is to raise funds that are also gifted directly to the library. These contributions help finance special projects, facility enhancements and improvements to the evolving needs of the community that the library’s budget could not otherwise afford.
Like many organizations, the Foundation faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. The momentum behind its fundraising efforts slowed and sustaining volunteer engagement became more difficult. It wasn’t until about 2021 when the Foundation experienced a much-needed revival, fueled by the dedication of a small, but passionate group determined to rebuild.
This group introduced two new major fundraising events that take place at the Grayslake Area Public Library including Pouring Over Pages which takes place on March 8th. This is more than a fundraiser – it’s a celebration of art, literature and community and is carried out in partnership with the Grayslake Arts Alliance. The event takes place after-hours at the library from 6 pm – 9 pm. It includes a collectable wine glass, an art fair with art for purchase, book readings by local authors, music, crafts, a backdrop for pictures, and new this year – a scavenger hunt around the library. This event is for individuals 21+ and offers not only a lovely night out, but a great way to support the library.
The second event, held in the Fall is the Escape Room: Unlock into Adventure fundraiser, an exciting event that brings families, friends, and groups together for a fun, interactive challenge. With four themed rooms ranging in levels of difficulty, there’s something for everyone.
The funds raised from these events are gifted directly to the library. Examples of items purchased in the past through the Foundation’s fundraising include leather chairs and ottomans, iPads and software for Youth Services, and $30,000 for renovations in 2014-2015.
“This year, the library is really focused on providing more outreach to our library district and expanding their programs and resources further into the community,” said Becka Nieder, president of the Grayslake Library Foundation. To support the library’s goal, the Foundation is raising funds for a vehicle specifically intended to bring resources to more places within the community – providing increased access to individuals and families. “It is really exciting to see the impact the Foundation’s efforts are making in a tangible way. We’re really excited for what this vehicle and associated resources will do in the community,” said Nieder.
As the Foundation continues to grow and support the library, they are actively seeking individuals who can volunteer their time and talents including those skilled in marketing and promotion including social media, sponsorship and corporate fundraising, event planning and support, and fundraising strategy. There are also two open board positions.
If you’re passionate about supporting the Grayslake Area Public Library, and want to make a meaningful impact, consider volunteering for the Foundation. You can email Foundation@grayslake.info to learn more. Your time, skills, and enthusiasm can really make a difference in the community and generations to come.
A big thank you to the Friends of the Grayslake Area Public Library and the Grayslake Library Foundation for their invaluable roles in enriching the Grayslake community. Their passion, commitment, and contributions – from book sales to community events – are making a lasting impact. Our library is stronger because of their efforts.
And to those reading this, we hope you’ll consider supporting these organizations through book donations, book purchases, event attendance, and/or volunteering your time.
For more information, please visit https://www.grayslake.info/.
Please note, these two fundraising non-profits are separate from the Grayslake Area Public Library Board of Trustees who are elected officials serving the library. To learn more about the trustees, please visit https://www.grayslake.info/board-of-trustees/.
