Administration
Executive Director, Debra Lissak
Deb has been an employee of The Urbana Free Library since 1980 and executive director since 2007. Due to her long tenure at the library, she brings tremendous knowledge of library operations and the Urbana community. Before becoming executive director, Deb was the library’s associate director and head of adult services, and was director of the Burnham City Hospital library in Champaign. Deb has four children who all attended the Urbana schools. She enjoys gardening, working around her house, and rooting for the Tigers at the Urbana High School girls soccer games.
Associate Director, Kathryn Wicks
Kathy has been an employee of The Urbana Free Library since 1989, first as the director of circulation services, and currently as the associate director. Before coming to our library, she was the circulation department head for the Evans Library at Texas A&M University. With a background in marketing, Kathy is actively involved in promoting library services and may be found at many library outreach events. She is a current member of the Abraham Lincoln Illinois High School Book Award Committee. She enjoys writing, photography, participating in marathons, and fishing.
Director of Circulation Services, Dawn Cassady
Dawn became director of circulation services in 2007. Before coming to our library, she served as training and technical assistance coordinator for the University of Illinois Library’s Mortenson Center for International Library Programs, a law librarian for Heyl, Royster, Voelker & Allen in Peoria, and an adult services librarian for The Urbana Free Library. Dawn likes cooking (and enjoying the results), and spending time with family and friends. She is also a lifelong fan of the Cubs and the Illini, and an NPR junkie.
Director of Adult Services, John Dunkelberger
John has been director of adult services for The Urbana Free Library since 1984. Before coming to our library, he was a reference librarian for the Lincoln Trail Libraries System and worked for a variety of departments within the University of Illinois Library. John is an adjunct faculty member for the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science. He enjoys attending Krannert events, travels widely, and is active in many community organizations.
Director of Children’s Services, Barbara Lintner
Barb has been director of children’s services for The Urbana Free Library since 1988. Prior to coming to our library, she was head of children’s services and then director for the Allerton Library in Monticello. Barb is a past recipient of the Davis Cup Award for outstanding children’s librarian in the state of Illinois. She has been chair of the Illinois Library Association’s “I Read” committee and a member of the American Library Association’s Caldecott Award Committee. Barb is active in Rotary and is a member of a local clown troupe. She enjoys knitting and spending time with her grandchildren.
Director of Special Collections, Anke Voss
Anke joined The Urbana Free Library staff as the director of the Champaign County Historical Archives in 2005. Prior to coming to our library, she was the archivist and special collections librarian for the Ames Library at Illinois Wesleyan University, an archivist for the Rockefeller Archive Center in New York, and is currently an adjunct faculty member for the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library and Information Science. Born in Germany, Anke came to the United States while in high school. She has an avid interest in women’s history and is currently co-editing a volume of essays on the history and development of women’s archives.
