Public Information
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, RFPL is regarded as an important information, entertainment, and community resource for people of all ages.
River Forest Public Library features a collection of more than 55,000 physical items, including books, CDs, DVDs, periodicals, and 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 1,000,000 items. We regularly bring new technologies to our patrons, and provide wifi, 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 6-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 15 part-time employees.
Library Levy
Property taxes make up a major portion of our operating revenue. Other revenue sources include fines, fees, grants, and donations. A levy request is sent each December to the Village of River Forest, which has levy authority for the Library. View the Library Levy (pdf).
Library Budget
The Fiscal Year 2022-23 operating budget is $1,489,000. View the 2022-23 Library Budget (pdf).
Financial Audit
The Library annually engages an independent auditor to fulfill our responsibility of financial transparency. View 2022 Financial Audit (pdf).
River Forest Public Library will strive to enhance the quality of life in River Forest by maintaining a welcoming environment where all patrons will experience a high level of service and satisfaction from a responsive and knowledgeable staff who help them find the information they need and the services and resources they want.
The Library has adopted a Strategic Plan to meet their mission. The current strategic plan has been extended to April 30, 2023. View the complete 2019-2022 Strategic Plan (pdf).
River Forest Public Library policies are official statements adopted by our Board of Trustees. These policies ensure that we operate in a way that most effectively fulfills the Library’s Mission and Service Goals.
Using the Library
Patron Code of Conduct
General expectations of behavior in the Library. View Policy (pdf).
Child Safety
Caregiver responsibilities for children younger than eight years old. View Policy (pdf).
Security Camera Policy
Security camera policy. View Policy(pdf).
Meeting Room
Types of organizations that can reserve the meeting room. View Policy (pdf).
Borrowing Privileges, Circulation, and Patron Confidentiality Policies
Borrowing privileges and responsibilities. View Policy (pdf).
Reference Services Policy
Reference services policy. View Policy (pdf).
Equipment and Computer Use
Provision and use of the Internet. View Policy (pdf).
Best Practices and Ethics
Collection Management
Why the River Forest Library selects which materials. View Policy (pdf).
ALA Code of Ethics
General ethical principles adopted by libraries. View Online.
Library Bill of Rights
Rights of library users as defined by the American Library Association. View Online.
Freedom to Read
Joint statement of the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers. View Online.
Freedom to View
Statement of the American Film and Video Association. View Online.
Prevailing Wage Resolution
Statement of Prevailing Wage Resolution. View Policy (pdf).
Program Policy
How River Forest Public Library-sponsored programs are selected and implemented. View Policy (pdf).
Freedom of Information (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 View the 2022-23 Library Budget (pdf)
- Annual audit View 2022 Financial Audit (pdf).
- Library policies View selected 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 day 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.
Board of Trustees, Calendar of Meetings, Agendas & Minutes
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 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.
