River Forest Public Library is committed to providing value and excellent service to the Village of River Forest, a suburban community just west of Chicago. Serving a core population of approximately 11,700 residents, and drawing reciprocal patrons from the surrounding area, the Library is regarded as an important information, entertainment, and community resource for people of all ages.
The Library features a collection of more nearly 50,000 physical items, including books, magazines, DVDs, board games, kits, and technology like Wi-Fi hot spots. The Library also has an expansive collection of digital materials and electronic resources. We are a member of the SWAN consortium which provides our library patrons with access to over 1 million items. We regularly bring new technologies to our patrons and provide Wi-Fi, computer access, and training.
The Library is run by the Director, who is hired by the Library Board of Trustees. The seven members of the Board of Trustees are elected in staggered 4-year terms during the Consolidated Election in April. The Board generally meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 PM in the Library’s Meeting Room on the first floor. All meetings are open to the public. Check the RFPL online calendar for meeting dates.
The Library is divided into four departments: Administration, Adult and Teen Services, Children’s Services, and Materials Services. The manager of each department reports to the Director. The Library has approximately 8 full-time and 17 part-time employees.
Library Levy
Property taxes make up a major portion of our operating revenue. Other revenue sources include fees, grants, and donations. A levy request is sent each year to the Village of River Forest, which has levy authority for the Library.
Library Budget
The Fiscal Year 2024-25 operating budget is $1,722,700.
Financial Audit
The Library annually engages an independent auditor to fulfill our responsibility of financial transparency.
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
The purpose of the Freedom of Information Act is to provide public access to information maintained by public bodies. Unless information falls within an express statutory exemption, it must be disclosed under FOIA (5 ILCS 140/3).
Certain types of information maintained by the Library are exempt from inspection and copying as defined by the Freedom of Information Act. These are some of our records that are available for public viewing:
- Operating budget
- Annual audit
- Library policies
- Annual reports to the Illinois State Library
- Minutes of the Board of Library Trustees Board meetings that have been approved and released
- Monthly Financial Statements
- Resolutions
- Documents included with monthly Board meetings
- Organizational chart
If you require more information that you cannot find on this site, you may make a FOIA request.
Considered a public body, the River Forest Public Library must generally comply with a request within 5 working days after receipt of the request, or 21 days if the request is for a commercial purpose. The request must be in writing (please see link to request form below). An extension of 5 days may be permitted under certain circumstances.
FOIA Officer & Fee Schedule
The Freedom of Information Officer designated for the Library is:
Emily Compton, Library Director
River Forest Public Library
735 Lathrop Avenue
River Forest IL 60305
708-366-5205 x 319
Fees and costs for supplying records may occur according to the following schedule:
The first 50 pages of black and white, letter, or legal paper are free of charge. After the first 50 pages, the Library will charge $.10 per page. Colored copies and copies sized other than legal or letter size will be charged at the actual cost of reproduction. Cost of electronic records, e.g., disks, diskettes, tapes, etc., will be charged at the actual cost of the recording medium. Certified copies are $1.00. Fees may be waived or reduced if a waiver is within the public interest.
References
River Forest Board Meetings & Documents
Freedom of Information Request Form (pdf)
OMA Public Act 97-609
Public Act 97-609, effective January 1, 2012, requires employers participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement fund to post on their Web sites, within six business days of approving their budget, the “total compensation package” for each employee making over $75,000 per year. View compensation information PDF
Public Act 101-0504
Public Act 101-0504, effective January 1, 2021, requires employers participating in the Illinois Municipal Retirement fund to link to IMRF Employer Cost & Participation Information.