The Urbana Free Library

Mary Ruth Clemons (1910-1992) was born in Marion, Illinois on February 18, 1910 to John Robert and Edith Caroline Grant Crenshaw. In the 1920s, Clemons attended Marion Township High School. Following... read more >

This March we are celebrating the 53rd birthday of the master of comedy and courage, Dav Pilkey. The inspiration he has given to children through both his writings and drawings is astronomical. Many... read more >

PART 1 looks at the early history (1926-1979) of professional wrestling in Champaign-Urbana. National wrestling took hold in the 1980s under the influence of Vincent Kennedy McMahon Jr. and... read more >

     In the mood for a good book? Well, this February we are celebrating the 60th birthday of Megan McDonald, famed author of the book series Judy Moody. Many of us are already... read more >

The photograph of the gentleman in the snappy hat above is John Nathan Beers. Beers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on October 24, 1849. In 1876, he married Izora Nebaker from Mahomet and had two... read more >

Joseph F. Braun (1897-1962) and Bertha Hill (1901-????) moved to Rantoul, IL in the early 1920s. Joseph started his career in 1917 in the Eighth Balloon Company and was discharged in 1919. He re... read more >

On March 1, 1926, a proposal was put forth to the Urbana City Council and Mayor concerning boxing, sparring, and professional wrestling in the city. Major cities like New York already established... read more >

Have you ever wished you were part of a secret gang to protect innocent civilians from vampires, ghouls, and other supernatural enemies? I know I always have!Hellsing is a secret government... read more >

Love is in the air! Next week on Thursday, Feb. 14, it is Valentine's Day. Valentine's Day is wonderful time to show your family and friends how much you love them by spending time with them and... read more >

The Urban League of Champaign County (1961-2008) worked to improve the quality of black life in Champaign County for 47 years. Placing an emphasis on education, scholarship assistance was an ongoing... read more >