It serves a core population of approximately 11,000 residents, and drawing reciprocal patrons from the surrounding area.

The River Forest Public Library opened its doors in 1905, in a small store front property on Park Avenue.

The current library building, designed by Prairie School architect, William Eugene Drummond, was completed in 1929.

[1] The River Forest Public Library has over 90,000 items, including books, CDs, DVDs, periodicals, and an expansive collection of digital materials and electronic resources.

The library also provides inter-library loan service for books and articles to cardholders as well as a variety of programs for patrons of all ages, including 2 seasonal reading programs open to all RFPL cardholders.