Get Ready. Get Set. GO SHOPPING!

As you know, the Evanston Public Library Friends is auctioning off a variety of unique items to raise money in an effort to keep our neighborhood libraries open, and their services available to the community.

Thanks to the many talented Evanston authors and artists, as well as several from across the country -- amazing items and services have been generously donated! There are fabulous tickets to sporting events, cultural & music venues, signed movie scripts, art, private vacation homes, VERY cool stuff for kids, Outings with Authors including dinner with Audrey Niffenegger, gift certificates, fitness packages, signed first editions from best selling authors like Scott Turow, Kathryn Lasky, Syd Lieberman, Lisa Lutz, hand bound "The Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain, an Emmitt Smith hand signed football, several Unique Experiences and more... As you browse, remember that our virtual auction brings together the best of community giving. When you win a gift in the auction, you're making a donation!

We are in the home stretch - Don't miss out!!

The 2010 ALA Campaign to Promote Reading slogan "Communities Thrive at the Library" is symbolized with a watering can. Similar to Chicago's famed "Cows on Parade", a number of artists and craftsmen agreed to fabricate one-of-a-kind Watering Can Art exclusively for this auction! Each is a unique representation of their work and dedication to the Evanston Public Library system.

New Cans will be showcased at The Watering Can Marketplace daily… You won’t want to miss them!

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THE WATERING CAN ART MARKETPLACE!

Now you can check out the cans in HD!!! ZOOM IN because the detail is amazing. We will have all the cans (& other goodies too) in the window of 2112 Central Street soon - come take a peek!

AUCTION WATCH: Featured Items of the day!

"The Innocents Abroad" by Mark Twain

Current Bid $400.00
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Looking for Adventure?! Family Fun?! Romantic Getaway?! Spa Week?!

Current Bid $1,600.00
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Looking for a renowned, award winning Architect?! Dying to see the goodies at The Mart?!!

Current Bid $167.00
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Autographed Emmitt Smith Football

Current Bid $100.00
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Give a little and get a lot in return.

There are several ways you can help!

Treat yourself and the Library at the same time. SHOP!! From the comfort of your favorite chair you can find the perfect family adventure, a special night out with friends, or that special gift for someone you love (or even for yourself)!

Cash Donation: Every dollar you donate goes directly to save the neighborhood libraries and the services that we have come to count on! We accept American Express, Discover, Visa and Mastercard. (You will be directed to the eplfriends.org PayPal site to complete your transaction)

Show your support by clicking "Donate An Item" to contribute to our catalog! By donating an item or service directly online, you will not only help us raise money, but your donor information, product or service can also be linked directly to your web page, placing you in front of a wide audience of shoppers!

Become a Sponsor! Your support as a Sponsor will go a long way towards helping us reach this goal, and as an added bonus, your logo and message will be viewed by auction shoppers.

Spread the Word: Like what you see? Then please share our auction with a friend or two! Click on the "Refer Friends" link to give others the chance to get involved!

Neighborhood libraries are a community anchor, driving commerce and providing resources including books, movies, children's programming, neighborhood meeting space, internet access and much more. They are community centers, inherently 'green' with walkable accessibility to residents of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you use it a little - or a lot - it is important to keep the library available to the community. All proceeds from your donations will be used to achieve this goal.

Want to know when New Items have been added?! By clicking on the "Auction Updates" button, you will be notified when something wonderful has been added to the auction!

Check out what is coming soon...!

Get them before they are gone...!!!

List of Events sponsored by EPL Friends

EPL Friends is a community-based group supporting the Evanston Public Library. Right now, as cutbacks threaten, we are putting all of our energy into raising funds to keep, and even expand, our neighborhood libraries and the services that they offer.

We are dedicated to strengthening Evanston Public Library's innovation, leadership and neighborhood outreach, and sponsor events throughout the year, and there are some great ones taking place in conjunction with the Armchair Auction! Go to www.eplfriends.org and click on "Armchair Auction / Events" for more information on the events we have planned:

Battle of the Bookgroups
Library Board Meeting (May 19th)
Central Street Garden Fair (May 21-22)
Storybook Mom Nili Yellin (May 22nd at 10AM, North Branch)
Make a Noodle Necklace at North Branch (June 1)
Make a Noodle Necklace at South Branch (June 2)
Noodles & Company (June 3) Mention EPL Friends and 25% of their profits will go to helping save the libraries.
Main Street Depot (June 12 at 11:00 AM) Marilyn Price, puppeteer, and a celebration of our fundraising efforts to date! Main St Depot (on the tracks) 600 Main, home of Piccolo Theater, $5 suggested donation for children, $10 for adults. Many thanks to Evanston Festival Theatre for their generous donation of space, and to Marilyn for offering her time!
The Mother of All Book Sales! (July 16-17) Volumes of fun, loads of books, cd's, dvd's and vinyl records!