In This Issue:
Celebrate Valentine’s Day & Check Out a Little Romance
Although they don’t come with candy hearts and rosebuds, your library has an extensive collection of Gothic & Romance Fiction titles for you to enjoy. You’ll find the collection has a broad range of titles that includes classics as well as new releases by up-andcoming authors. Sub-genres include historical and contemporary romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, as well as others. With over 12,000 titles, the library’s Gothic & Romance Fiction Collection is one of the largest in the area.
And because we enjoy suggesting titles for you to read, here are a few recent additions:
- Back in Black by Lori Foster
Extreme fighter Drew Black meets his match in Gillian Noode, a PR expert who has a reputation for smoothing out the rough edges on many a man. - The Elusive Bride by Stephanie Laurens
An ex-officer of the Crown encounters a woman from his past – who has an assassin on her heels. Through peril, passion, and desire they race against time towards their destiny. - Forbidden Falls by Robyn Carr
The Reverend Noah Kincaid finds an unlikely assistant in Alicia Baldwin, a former exotic dancer who needs a respectable job in order to regain custody of her children. - Lessons in French by Laura Kinsale
Trevelyan and Callie are childhood sweethearts. Reunited after a nine year separation, Callie’s blood still races for Trevelyan, but he can’t give her the one thing she wants more than anything – himself. - A Matter of Class by Mary Balogh
Reginald Mason prefers the swinging life of a Regency bachelor and not the Lady Annabelle Ashton – a woman selected by his father to marry and who is marked by scandal. - To Desire a Devil by Elizabeth Hoyt (Local Author!)
Beatrice Cornell is attracted to the enigmatic young man depicted in a portrait hanging in her uncle’s home. When the thought-dead subject of the portrait, makes an unexpected appearance to reclaim his estate, Beatrice is intrigued.
The Gothic & Romance Fiction Collection can be found on the first floor of the library. To request a title in the library’s collection, visit the online catalog at urbanafreelibrary.org, contact Adult Services at 367-4405, or stop by the adult reference desk.
Poetry About Music / Music About Poetry
Sunday, February 14 • 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium
How familiar are you with writers and musicians? In a unique performance that offers a creative blend of text and music, Poetry About Music / Music About Poetry will entertain and introduce you to writers and musicians you may not know about.
Composer, songwriter, and producer Paul Kotheimer will perform classic, unknown, and original poems set to music from his unreleased CD, A Martian Sends a Postcard Home. Kotheimer’s music will aptly be complemented with readings by local radio hosts Cristy Scoggins and William Gillespie. Their readings will include poetry, scholarship, and fiction and are intended to confess, promote, and provoke.
Also at the performance will be a display of relevant books and music from the library collection for you to check out or peruse.
UFLive! Presents West African Master Drummer
Bolokada Conde
Sunday, February 21 • 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium
Back by popular demand! Come see legendary Master Drummer Bolokada Conde from Guinea, West Africa, as he performs traditional Mande drumming with Rhythm Manding, his local drumming ensemble.
Born in Kissidougou, Guinea, Bolokada Conde learned to play the djembe before he could walk. He has a distinguished career as a master folklorist and as premier soloist for Les Percussion du Guinee. He has toured internationally, has released two CD’s, a DVD, and is featured in the IMAX movie, Pulse: a STOMP Odyssey. Bolokada currently teaches Mande music classes at the University of Illinois through the Robert E. Brown Center for World Music.
All UFLive! concerts take place on the third Sunday of most months and are made possible by the generous support of The Urbana Free Library Foundation.
Election Day is February 2
The Urbana Free Library is the polling location for Cunningham Precinct 10. The polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Latté Da! at The Urbana Free Library will also open at 6:00 a.m. on February 2, ready to serve hot coffee and other espresso drinks.
UFL Reads! Memoirs
Sunday, February 28
2:00-3:00 p.m.
MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room
This winter UFL Reads! (our book club for adults), has selected an intriguing collection of memoirs – titles that highlight an author’s personal reminiscences, experiences, and observances.
On February 28, we’ll read and discuss a memoir set locally – This Life Ain’t Gravy by Dylan Hall. A former student at the University of Illinois, the author takes us with him as he mentors Justin, an African American middle-schooler from Champaign. While working with Justin on his literacy, Hall quickly learns their lifestyles are very different. Is there a way the two can reach out to each other and connect?
Copies of This Life Ain’t Gravy are available at The Urbana Free Library. You can reserve a copy via the library’s catalog at urbanafreelibrary.org, by stopping at Adult Services, or by calling 367-4405.
UFL Reads! meets the fourth Sunday of most months.
Chinese New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 6
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium
Come help us mark the beginning of The Year of the Tiger at the library’s Chinese New Year Celebration for kids and their families!
The festivities will include learning about the Lion Dance – a traditional form of dance in Chinese culture. You’ll also gain experience with the Chinese yo-yo, Chinese music, and other Chinese performing arts.
The Chinese New Year Celebration is made possible through the cooperation of the Chinese Heritage School and The Urbana Free Library. Presenters include the students and teachers of the Chinese Heritage School, members of the Five Animals School of Kung Fu, members of Huang Lin Bao Jian Shaolin Wu Gong, students of the University of Illinois, and other local artists.
Books & More – A New Blog for Children and Parents
The library now has a place for parents, caregivers,and children to find out about the latest and the greatest in children’s books, media, programs, crafts, and more. Books & More, maintained by the staff of Children’s Services, are using the blog to tie in to local community events, and to let you know about some cool Internet links. They also have a few features designed for preschool and elementary teachers.
You’ll find the link to Books & More on the homepage of the library’s website at urbanafreelibrary.org – just look for the flower-festooned window box icon. We invite you to visit often and to make comments!
Holiday Closing
Library will be closed
February 15 for Presidents’ Day
What’s Brewing at the Latté Da! Coffee Shop?
Latté Da! at The Urbana Free Library is now serving delicious hot soups, tasty croissants, and wraps. And don’t forget about the Winter Sweets menu. Come in from the cold and enjoy!
- Turkey Wrap – Oven roasted turkey with zippy salsa cream cheese, lettuce, and tomatoes. Not your typical turkey wrap. ($3.99)
- Spicy BBQ Chicken Wrap – BBQ chicken, pepper jack cheese, red onion, and tomatoes. Have it grilled – the warmer it is, the spicier it is. ($3.99)
- Veggie Wrap – Roasted red pepper hummus, provolone cheese, lettuce, green peppers, red onion, and tomatoes. Light and fresh, yet filling. ($3.99)
- Tuna Croissant – Tuna salad flavored with sweet Craisins and red onion on a butter croissant with crisp lettuce and tomatoes. ($3.99)
