About the Friends
The Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library was founded in 1986, and is a volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to raising funds to supplement the Library’s annual budget for materials and programs and supporting literacy initiatives in the Chatham community. The Friends welcome new members and offer service opportunities for youth and adult groups.
The Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library are that and a whole lot more! Some of the other things the Friends do to make the library services better for our patrons include:
- Hosting the annual Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Fundraiser
- Sponsoring the Teen and Adult Summer Reading Programs
- Providing volunteers to help with various library programs
- Sponsoring the Library on the Go e-books and more databases
- Providing computers and equipment for the library
Become a Member of the Friends of the Library
Let's be Friends!
Making a monetary donation to FOL establishes you as a member of the FOL organization for the current calendar year. Your donation will enhance Library services and provide increased resources and materials.
Proceeds from memberships help provide financial support for library services and programs like summer and winter reading programs/prizes for kids and adults, Friends of Genealogy group, Library on the Go, book club kits, art show prizes, Teen Trivia Night prizes and more.
You can donate by filling out the 
Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library Membership Form 2023 and drop it off at the Library's circulation desk, the Friends' Cafe & Bookstore or mail it to:
600 East Spurce Street
Chatham, IL 62629
Or you can pay online:
Volunteering
Anyone can volunteer with Friends, regardless of their membership status. Volunteers can participate in a variety of activities:
- Working at the biannual booksales held in the Library Galleries
- Staffing the Friends Café & Bookstore
- Acting, serving or baking at our March Murder Mystery Fundraiser
- Being a member on the Friends Board. Help guide the Friends with their fundraising efforts and determine how to assist the Library with their programming and equipment needs.
- Helping at other Friends-sponsored library events
Thank you for your support!
We hope to hear from you! Please contact us with how you're interested in serving!
Volunteering at the Friends' Cafe & Bookstore
One great way to support the Library and the Friends is to volunteer your time working in the Friends' Café & Bookstore!
There are many ways to help the Friends of the Library. If you like to connect with your community, talk about books and support your Library, there is no better way than to be a volunteer in our Friends’ Café & Bookstore! For more information, click on and complete the 
Volunteer Information Form, and it will be sent to the Bookstore & Café Coordinator. You will be contacted, and the Coordinator will discuss the open volunteer needs, typical job duties and answer any questions you may have. We hope you’ll join the fun!
Home Delivery
This free service is made possible for our patrons through the generosity of the Friends of the Chatham Area Public Library. If you would like to help with this program, please contact the Library.
The Chatham Area Public Library District is not responsible for any loss or injury incurred or suffered, directly or indirectly, to any person or persons volunteering in or receiving service from this program.
Volunteers will be asked to sign a Release and Hold Harmless form.
You can learn more about the program here.
Friends of the Library Board and Meetings
The Friends of the Library Board welcomes any member of the Friends to join them at their meetings. They are typically on the 4th Tuesday of the month, at 6:30 p.m. The Board determines all fundraising activities for the year. They also vote on what projects to fund for the Library.
Due to the Pandemic, meetings are held online via zoom. If you would like to join our meeting, please email us at [email protected].
Next Book Sale
We're back! Don't miss the Sweet Corn Book Sale before you head off to the festivities at the park. Enjoy bargain prices for a large assortment of items.
Special Perk - Friends Members are invited early for a “Power Hour” from 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. Not a member? You can join that morning, or you can join early by becoming a member online: https://www.chathamlib.org/friends-library?qt-guide=2...
Also, the Bargain Sale opens for everyone at 2:00 p.m. for a donation of $2.00. What a deal! (Please note: no advance stockpiling of books allowed.)
Want to volunteer? We can always use help to set up and take down the sale. Contact [email protected] if you or your group are interested in assisting
Our 2023 Murder Mystery fundraiser was a resounding success! Thank you to everyone who helped solve our whodunnit. See you next year!