Walter C. Glines was the well-known proprietor of Gline’s Penny Store in Champaign, which he opened during World War I and managed until his retirement in 1956. However, before moving to Champaign and becoming a business owner, Mr. Glines had a successful career as a circus performer.

You may visit us for our books, computer lab, programs or genealogical resources, but The Urbana Free Library can also be your go-to source for local information. We can help make your life easier by providing one convenient place to obtain many different handouts or snippets of news or to take care of daily tasks.

Our cultural and community information bulletin boards are packed with posters announcing performances, meetings, official announcements, and local activities. Read more about Local Information—For Your Convenience

Read more about Vinyl is Already Here (In the Archives)!

May 1^st is a traditional spring holiday in many cultures. Often referred to as May Day, May 1^st represents one of the most popular secular celebration days in the world.

Maypole celebration at the University of Illinois, 1912

Before the widespread use of the automobile, carriages and wagons were all the rage. Read more about Before cars there were carriages and wagons

Since moving to the area a few years ago, I’ve encountered the phrase “it used to be…” more times than Read more about Hot Type: 150 Years of the Best Local Stories from The News-Gazette

Want to learn creative ways to make your family history more accessible? Interested in participating in a local community online “pinboard?” This program will give you the skills you need to confidently use Pinterest to compliment your family history and local history research. Participants will learn the basics of Pinterest, as well as how to effectively share and organize family photos, memories, and documents. Read more about Pinning Down Your Family History: How Pinterest can help you display, organize, and share your family and community history

  Read more about Urbana May day celebration