Friends of the Library

The Friends of the O’Fallon Public Library are dedicated volunteers who believe in the power of libraries. We raise funds, host events, and advocate for the library’s role as a vibrant center for learning, creativity, and connection.

From funding literacy programs and special events to expanding resources and supporting early learning, the Friends help the library go above and beyond. Every dollar raised goes back into making the library better for everyone in our community.

A strong library builds a stronger community. When you support the Friends, you help bring lifelong learning, inspiration, and opportunity to people of all ages and backgrounds.

The Friends are managed by a member-elected board.  The board members for 2025 are as follows:

President: Melissa Fanning

Vice-President: Greg Zelinske

Secretary: Caitlin Grotowski

Treasurer: Katie Mettille

Directors:

• Linda Amos
• Becky Corless
• Ray Farmer
• Andrea Fohne
• Elena King
• Mary Alice Koriath
• Ann Morey
• Diane Zelinske

Library Board Liaison: Suzanne Rupright

Library Staff Liaison: Ryan Johnson

Have a question about donating a large sum of books, volunteering, making a financial contribution or otherwise?  Reach out to us at [email protected] and someone will follow up with you ASAP.

Alternatively, complete this quick form and we'll be in touch soon!

Becoming a Friend is easy—and impactful! Join our mailing list, volunteer at events, or donate to support programs you care about. There are no dues, just a shared commitment to our library’s future.

Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a beloved book-gifting program that delivers a free, high-quality book each month to children from birth to age five. Every child in the 62269 zip code is eligible—no cost, no catch.

The Friends of the Library, in partnership with Ready Readers, fund this magical program through book sales and generous donations like yours.

Your support helps spark a lifelong love of reading—one book, one child, one month at a time.

Do you know a child under five living in the 62269 area? They’re eligible to receive a free book every month from Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library—no strings attached!

Register a child today by completing this quick online form.

All it takes is $25 to mail a child one book per month for an entire year. The Friends of the Library currently have over 700 local kids enrolled, with hopes of increasing that number as donations and fundraising initiatives allow. Your generous gift helps us fulfill this mission.

Donate today to help us put more books into the hands of local kids and build a stronger, more literate future for all.

A gift to our Annual Campaign helps support this important initiative.

Ways to Give:

• Text ofallon25 to 44321
• Visit ofpl.info/donate

You can also mail a check to:

Friends of the O'Fallon Public Library
120 Civic Plaza
O'Fallon, IL  62269

We'd love to hear from you.  Please email [email protected] or call 618-206-4342.

The Friends of the Library are excited to help keep Little Free Libraries around town stocked with great reads. As a resident, you can sign up to receive $5 worth of free books each month to share with the community through Little Free Libraries.

Here’s how it works:

• Sign up online using the form below or visit the library to get on the list.
• Shop our book sale area on the first floor, selecting from a wide variety of genres and reading levels. Whether you want to focus on specific age groups or mix it up, it’s your choice!
• At checkout, let the Help Desk staff know you’re claiming your $5 in free books. They’ll mark you off the list—easy as that!

This program is ongoing, so join anytime and help spread the joy of reading throughout our community.

In Spring 2023, the Friends financed the installation of a StoryWalk at Thoman Park

A StoryWalk is a movement and literacy boosting project that places an illustrated children’s book, taken apart and displayed page by page, along a walking route in your community. As you stroll down the trail, you're directed to the next page in the story.

StoryWalks have been installed in 50 states and 13 countries including, Germany, Canada, England, Bermuda, Russia, Malaysia, Pakistan and South Korea!
The concept was first developed in Vermont as a collaboration between the State Health Department and a local library as a way to convince families to get outside and be active while engaging with literacy.

The installation at Thoman Park features 20 stations, the contents of which are updated seasonally.  Staff members in the Youth Services Department select the books and design interactive prompts to engage and entertain readers.  

In the Summer of 2023, the Friends of the Library, in partnership with a private donor and State Construction, created an Outdoor Activity Space on the northwest corner of our lot. 

The Outdoor Activity Space consists of a 30-foot by 30-foot concrete pad, covered by an all-seasons shade structure.  A new sidewalk connects the space to the existing sidewalk to provide easy access. 

With this space we will hold a ton of outdoor children’s events.  Everything from story time and STEAM activities to messy projects we’d prefer to hold outside.  The space, while primarily created with kids in mind, will be flexible enough for other purposes too.  Perhaps an outdoor book club?  Perhaps study space on a beautiful day? 

Overall, the space allows us to hold more kids per event than we currently can inside.  What’s more, we’ll still be able to utilize that indoor space for other purposes while the outdoor space is in use!  It truly is a win-win for the library, and for you, our wonderful patrons.

The Friends rely on YOUR donations of books and other materials to help fulfill their mission and fund special projects.

You can drop items off anytime during normal business hours.  Call the library's main line at 618-632-3783 for special assistance or circumstances.

The Friends sell books year round in the Book Nook area on the first floor of the library.  They also have an online Amazon Store! 

Every Spring they hold a HUGE book sale that brings in roughly 2,000 extra visitors to the library in just a five day period.  Keep an eye on the library's Event Calendar for upcoming dates.  

Every day, people use the library to learn, connect, and grow. Your donation helps:

• Fund programs for kids, teens, and adults
• Support early literacy programs
• Provide technology and digital access
• Purchase books and special collections
• Enhance library spaces and services

Give today. Strengthen your library. Strengthen your community.

More than books. More than a building. More than ever.

Your support helps keep the library a vital resource for everyone.

Set up a one-time or monthly donation by doing one of the following:

• Text ofallon25 to 44321
• Visit ofpl.info/donate

Checks can also be made out to and mailed to:

Friends of the O’Fallon Public Library
120 Civic Plaza
O’Fallon, IL 62269

Please write Annual Campaign in the memo line.