Book donations accepted only during Main Library open hours, June 1-July 22
The Friends of the Oak Park Public Library will host their book fair on a smaller scale the first weekend in August in the Main Library’s second floor Veterans Room. Underground garage parking (with the first two hours free) and elevator access is available.
Donate: Books only at the Main Library
Have a few items to share and self-sort?
Between June 1-July 22, bring your donations during Main Library open hours. Donations will not be accepted at Dole and Maze. At the Main Library, labeled boxes will be set up on the lobby’s first floor for donated books in the following categories:
- Non-Fiction
- Fiction
- Mystery/Thriller
- Kids/Teens
- CDs
- DVDs
Please note: magazines, textbooks, Reader’s Digest back issues, and VHS tapes are not accepted. See below for other donation locations.
Have a lot to give? Drop off on Saturday mornings!
Between June 1-July 22, plan to drive up and drop off bigger loads at the library’s loading dock (see map) only on Saturdays between 9 am-1 pm. Friends volunteers will be ready and waiting to help you!
Shop: Fair hours
- Friday, August 5, 2-6 pm
- Saturday, August 6, 9 am-5 pm
- Sunday, August 7, free materials for volunteers (12-2 pm) and educators (2-4 pm). Please bring proof of educator status and/or employment.
Shoppers can plan to pay for items with cash, by check, and by credit card.
Volunteer: Email friends@oppl.org
Anyone interested in volunteering before, during, and after the fair can email the Friends at friends@oppl.org.
Consider these options for your book donations
Little Free Libraries
Individually owned residential and Park District of Oak Park Little Free Libraries are on the Cheney Mansion grounds and in Austin Gardens, Lindberg Park, and Mills Park.
Chicago Books to Women in Prison, Chicago, IL
Serves: AZ, CA, CT, FL, IL, IN, KY, MS, MO, and OH
Liberation Library HQ in Chicago. Serves youth in all Illinois youth prisons and select Illinois youth jails.Midwest Books to Prisoners Chicago. Serves: IA, IL, IN, KS, MI(Libraries only), MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, SD, WI
Open Books (various drop-off locations, visit the website to schedule a free pickup)
- West Loop: 651 W Lake, Chicago, IL 60661 – Available during store hours (Mondays to Saturdays, 9 am-7 pm; Sundays, noon to 6 pm). No more than four boxes per donation at this location, please.
- 645 W Couch Pl., Chicago, IL 60661 – Drop box off of Desplaines between Randolph and Lake, behind the West Loop store
- Pilsen: 905 W. 19th St., Chicago, IL 60608 – Drop slot in front of building available 24 hours a day. Larger donations accepted during store hours, 7 days a week, 10 am to 4 pm
- River North: 802 W. Superior, Chicago, IL 60642 – Drop box at corner of Halsted and Superior
Our Future Reads
Chicago nonprofit accepting new and gently used books, textbooks, comics, and manga by appointment only. Contactless pickup is available for all donations. Contact to arrange a pickup »
{Re}Book Oak Park Facebook group
A private Facebook group that you can request to join. The group is for swapping books, not selling.
