Annual Giving

Join us in fostering community awareness of the resources available at Brookens and providing the essential financial support for the development of collections and services. In return, you will belong to an organization that enhances the vibrant intellectual life of the University of Illinois Springfield and of the surrounding communities. 

Friends of Brookens Library

The Friends of Brookens Library of the University of Illinois Springfield is a service organization established to support the library. It was formed with two major goals in mind:  

  1. To foster greater community awareness and use of the resources of Brookens Library at the University of Illinois at Springfield.
  2. To support the development of collections and services in Brookens Library.

Since the time of its founding, the Friends of Brookens Library has also played an important role in helping the library to provide exceptional programming for the greater Springfield community.

Membership Rates

Community Member: Levels of giving begin at $50.

Become a Friend

Circles of Giving

  • Carl Sandburg / Chancellor’s Circle ($2500+)
  • Gwendlowyn Brooks Circle ($1000)
  • James Jones Circle ($500)
  • William Maxwell Circle ($250)
  • Lorraine Hansberry Circle ($150)
  • Vachel Lindsay Circle ($50)

Special Rates

  • Faculty and Staff * ($25)
  • Students* ($5)

*Faculty and staff must be currently employed at UIS. Students must be currently enrolled at UIS. 

Give Online

Making a gift online to Brookens Library is easy, convenient and secure.

Give to the Library

Give by Mail

Please make check payable to the UIF – Friends of Brookens Library.

University of Illinois Springfield
Brookens Library 
One University Plaza
Springfield, IL 62703

Gifts in Kind

We welcome donations that enrich and enhance our Archives or Special Collections. Suitable gifts in kind include: books, CDs, DVDs, manuscripts, historic maps, artwork, special collections, and photographs. Gifts in kind may be tax deductible. To discuss the possible donation of your gift that may be suitable for the Archives or Special Collections, please contact Pattie Piotrowski, University Librarian at (217) 206-6597 or the Katrina Burch, University Archivist at (217) 206-6520.

Materials Donation

Effective August 1, 2024, Brookens Library will no longer accept donations for the general collection or book sale. We no longer have the capacity to sort or store books. We encourage you to contact local libraries, social agencies, or thrift stores to donate, or offer them for free on social media. You can also recycle books.

Here are a few tips to recycle:

  • Books fall into the recycling category of “mixed paper,” with a lower value than newspapers and corrugated cardboard. However, old textbooks, and both hardcover and softcover books can be recycled.
  • Softcover books and magazines can generally be recycled as is without deconstructing them.
  • It’s usually best to remove the cover of any hardcover book prior to recycling as they may contain non-paper elements. Once you remove the binding of hardcover books and textbooks, they can simply be added to your curbside recycling bin along with any old paperbacks.
  • Additionally, keep in mind that any book that has gotten wet or moldy should be thrown away or burned as they have no value in the recycling market.
  • Also, aged books with brown or tan pages should be disposed of as they can’t be recycled.