Lost in Time: 150th Anniversary Escape Room
Calling all C-U Residents: Escape the past and get back to the present before time runs out!
The Urbana Free Library is happy to announce that it will host “LOST IN TIME: 150th Anniversary Escape Room” in support of the Library’s 150th Anniversary celebrations.
Artists Have Been Selected for The Urbana Free Library’s Artist-in-Residence Program
The Urbana Free Library is pleased to announce that Curtis Chung, Nika Lucks, and Hua Nian have been selected for the What’s Your Story? Artist-in-Residence Program, which will take place over the next several months. Each artist will develop and facilitate workshops for children, teens, adults, and seniors on personal storytelling through visual arts.
England Gardens to Debut at The Urbana Free Library in September
The Urbana Free Library will be renovating the landscaping around the exterior of the Library building starting September 3, 2024. Funding for this project is supported by The Urbana Free Library Foundation, including a generous donation from Urbana residents Terry and Barbara England. In recognition of their significant contribution, the new landscaping will be named the England Gardens.
Share Your Library Story!
Has the Library positively impacted your life? Tell us about it!
The Urbana Free Library's mission is to encourage learning and enrich lives by providing access to diverse resources and programs. By sharing your Library experience, you have the power to inspire others and change lives. We want to hear from you!
Need some inspiration? Consider these questions:
What's Your Story? Artist-In-Residence Program at The Urbana Free Library
The Urbana Free Library encourages local artists to apply for its Artist-in-Residence Program at The Urbana Free Library from fall 2024 through spring 2025.
The Urbana Free Library Celebrates 150 Years of Serving the Community With a Birthday Party, Reading Programs, and More
The Urbana Free Library will celebrate its 150th anniversary for a full year, starting with a 150th Birthday Party on June 15, 2024 from 1:00pm-3:00pm. All members of the Champaign-Urbana community are welcome and encouraged to attend this free all-ages event. The Library will continue celebrating with programs through June 30, 2025, including historical talks, crafts for all ages, a scavenger hunt, and more.
Press Release for the Stephen Storch Photography Collection
The Champaign County Historical Archives at The Urbana Free Library is pleased to announce a newly processed collection now available to researchers. The Stephen Storch Photography Collection has been rehoused thanks to a grant from the Illinois State Historical Records Advisory Board.
The Urbana Free Library seeks new board members
URBANA, Ill. — The Urbana Free Library is seeking interested parties to fill two positions on the nine-member board of trustees. The terms will begin July 1, 2023, and end June 30, 2026.
Archives Assistant – Hourly
Do you want to work where you can enrich the lives of the people in your community? The Urbana Free Library seeks a service-oriented, self-motivated individual to join the Champaign County Historical Archives team. Provide general and specialized reference, retrieve archival records for patrons, and perform other duties at the CCHA reference desk. Participate in programming and outreach. Assist in processing archival and other Library materials. Must have training or experience in reference. Experience in archives and special collections or in library public service preferred.
The Friends of the Library Holiday Book Sale
Thursday • 5:00 - 8:30 p.m.
Preview night is for members only. Check your mailing label for your renewal date. You may join or renew online at urbanafreelibrary.org/about-us/friends or pay for a $10 annual membership at the door. Your membership fee allows you to attend three sale preview nights (spring, summer, and fall book sales). (No electronic devices for scanning will be permitted)
Friday • 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Regular prices. Most books priced at $1.00 or less. No admission fee.
Saturday • 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Early Voting for the 2022 General Election
The Urbana Free Library's MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room will serve as an early voting location for the 2022 General Election. Stop by from 11:00 am - 6:00 pm, November 1-7 to cast your vote!
Circulation Clerk/Information Assistant – Full-time
Do you want to work where you can enrich the lives of the people in your community? The Urbana Free Library seeks a service-oriented, self-motivated individual to join the Library’s team. Issue library cards, check materials in and out, and perform other duties at the Circulation Desk. Provide routine reference and reader's advisory service to patrons and assist them with catalog, Internet, computer software, fax, and copier questions at other public service desks. Participate in outreach and programming.
The Urbana Free Library is seeking Request for Qualifications for Architectural Services
The Urbana Free Library is seeking Request for Qualifications for Architectural Services for the Circulation Desk-A/V area remodel and Megan's Reading Room remodel. Interested firms should email mhannan@urbanafree.org for RFQ documents and information.
Call for Hygiene Donations
In partnership with Cunningham Township and our generous patrons, The Urbana Free Library is trying to make personal hygiene items available to community members in need.
We invite you to bring new, unopened, personal-sized hygiene items with you during your next library visit. The donation box can be found in our upper lobby, near the Green Street entrance. We are currently accepting bar soap, deodorant, dry shampoo, hand/body/face wipes, combs, lip balm, lotion, nail clippers, toothbrushes, toothpaste and sunscreen.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month
September is Library Card Sign Up Month! Celebrate by checking out library materials, programs and events, or sign up for a Library Card if you don't already have one. Anyone who signs up for a library card in September can enter to win a 39’’ Smart HD Fire TV! The winning ticket will be drawn on Monday, October 3. Good luck!
Books and More! Bundles
Did you know teachers can request us to pull books on certain topics for specific age levels? The books can just be picked up at the library or delivered to your school if you are in USD116! Spend no time rapidly searching for materials! Let us help.
This year, in the first 100 "Book and More Bundles" teacher requests, a free gift to use in your classroom will be included! Our little way of saying thank you for our teachers do for the children of our community.
Visit https://urbanafreelibrary.org/node/1179 to fill out a short form to request materials!
Poems Across Urbana Sign Giveaway
Help cover the community in poetry through September!
While supplies last, you can pick up a yard sign displaying a poem written by local talent! The signs are free and can be displayed in your yard or window. The poems cover a variety of topics from trees to dogs to wellness. Pick up your sign at the main desk today!
Want a sign for your business? Wonderful! Businesses can also to pick up a sign to display.
Every paver has a story!
Have you explored Cherry Alley lately? Cherry Alley is one of the original alleys of Urbana dating back to 1833! It's a beautiful walkway paved with personalized bricks that create a mosaic of memories.
Throughout the month of August, The Urbana Free Library Foundation is raising awareness of the personalized Cherry Alley pavers as a great way to honor a loved one, colleague, business, or organization. A personalized paver is a lasting way for you to demonstrate your support of the Library and become part of its history.