Foundation History
The Urbana Free Library Foundation was established in 1997 as a non-profit organization managed by a volunteer Board of Directors. As its first priority, the Foundation planned for a library expansion, working with library staff, library trustees, and the City of Urbana. The new addition and restoration of the building, was completed in 2005 and doubled the overall size of the library.
- Planning for expansion
- Community Fund Drive
- Reaching the Goal
- Wonderful Community Support
- The Steering Committee
- Rupert Evans
- Kermit and Ann Harden
Planning for expansion
Planning for the library expansion began in 1997. To move the project forward, the Foundation Board made the commitment to organize a capital campaign to raise $2 million in private donations. Enthusiastic community support resulted in private donations of $2.5 million by the end of the capital campaign.
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Community Fund Drive
Foundation Board president Rupert Evans Rupert Evans tapped former library trustee Kermit Harden and his wife Ann to serve as volunteer co-chairs of the community fund drive. The Foundation's campaign office in Lincoln Square was opened in October 2000, employing Gerri Kirchner as campaign director. During the course of the campaign, over 100 community members volunteered to help the Foundation with the fundraising effort. By April 2001, donations to the campaign passed the $1 million mark. By October 2001, donations had reached $1.8 million and Pulitzer Prize winning film critic Roger Ebert returned to his hometown to host a fundraising benefit for what he fondly name “The Urbana Free and wonderful Library.”
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Reaching the Goal
The groundbreaking on October 20, 2002, celebrated the community’s commitment to a shared vision for the library. The completely renovated and expanded library was dedicated with great joy on May 1, 2005. The Foundation remains committed to the promise that The Urbana Free Library will continue to inspire, educate, and nurture every generation of the community.
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Wonderful Community Support
By October 2002, the Foundation’s fundraising goal exceeded $2 million with $2.5 million in private donations raised by the end of the end of the capital campaign. The $8.5 million library expansion was achieved without raised taxes and without incurring any debt. The Foundation is grateful to the many community leaders who were devoted to this endeavor and who are largely responsible for its success. Over 1,200 community members, businesses, and organizations made gifts in support of the library’s expansion.
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The Steering Committee
In assuming leadership responsibility for the fundraising campaign, the Steering Committee worked with tireless dedication and all members made significant and unique contributions. Foundation president Rupert Evans chaired the committee, joined by campaign co-chairs Kermit and Ann Harden. Foundation board member Joan Hood, retired from a career in development at the University of Illinois library, shared her considerable professional fundraising expertise. Board member Susan Stone, highly-regarded in the community, made a significant number of successful major gift solicitations. Board member Cameron Satterthwaite secured several major gifts and enlisted many community members to serve on the cabinet. Retained by the Foundation to serve as campaign director, Gerri Kirchner provided invaluable planning, public relations, and organizational support.
Library Director Frederick Schlipf managed an institution with a national reputation that is beloved by local patrons. His stewardship of the library and his careful supervision of the building design and construction have insured the continued vitality of Urbana 's award-winning educational center.
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Rupert Evans
Rupert Evans was president of The Urbana Free Library Foundation from its inception in 1997 until the renovated and expanded library was dedicated in May 2005. Rupert's tireless and enthusiastic commitment to the success of this endeavor preserved the size and scope of the building plan by encouraging the Foundation's promise to increase their fundraising goal from $1 million to $2 million. His enthusiastic and charismatic leadership inspired the board and the community to share his vision for the library's future and move forward to achieve it.
Distinguished career
Retired dean of the College of Education at the University of Illinois, Rupert had a distinguished career as an educator, joining the university faculty as an assistant professor of vocational and technical education and going on to serve as associate dean and then dean. He was a Fulbright lecturer in Japan , a consultant in eighteen foreign countries, and author of eleven books and nearly one hundred journal articles. He regarded his work with the Foundation as the capstone of an interesting career.
Generous support
The Evans family was very generous in their support of the library. Rupert's first wife, Jean Evans, launched the library expansion with a major gift before her death in 1999. The Jean Evans Room in the Archives is named in her honor. Rupert's wife Mary K. Evans was also extremely supportive of the library expansion project and sponsored the Music Collection Area.
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Kermit and Ann Harden
The Urbana Free Library Foundation gratefully recognizes longtime Urbana residents Kermit and Ann Harden for their service as co-chairs of the capital campaign for library expansion. Their dedicated leadership of the three-year fundraising effort was a large part of its success.
Distinguished Careers
A WWII veteran who fought in the Battle of the Bulge, Kermit was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star and the Silver Star. He earned a B.S. in math education and an Ed.D. from the University of Illinois . Kermit held many administrative positions during his career in education, including superintendent of Urbana schools. Kermit has served on the boards of Urbana Rotary, The Reading Group, the Boy Scouts, and the UI Alumni Association.
Ann was also employed in the field of education, teaching high school and junior high school before leaving the profession to raise their two children, Andrew and Elizabeth. Ann has been active in volunteer service for many organizations, including PTA, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, Children's Theatre Board, First Presbyterian Church of Urbana, PEO, and the University of Illinois President's Council.
Years of Devotion
Kermit devoted many years of volunteer service to the library in leadership roles on the library board of trustees and the library Foundation board. As liaison between both boards, he helped plan for library expansion, provided oversight of construction, and helped organize the fundraising campaign.
As campaign co-chair, Ann brought gracious leadership to the endeavor. She played a major role in engaging community members to support the library campaign as volunteers and donors. Ann's assistance in all aspects of the fundraising effort was significant to the campaign's success.
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Gifts to the Foundation
are tax deductable. For
more information, email foundation@tufl.info.
For questions about Foundation projects,
contact Executive Director Debra J. Lissak at dlissak@tufl.info or by phone at 217-367-4058.
