March 2019
Friends of the Library Spring Book Sale
March 28 - April 1
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)
You’re invited to join hundreds of fellow treasure seekers at one of the most anticipated events of the season! Members of the Friends have access to a special preview on Thursday evening.

Each year, the Friends hold massive sales of great used books in spring, summer, and fall. You can also browse a selection of gently used books year-round at The Urbana Free Library Cafe and Friends Book Shop .

Thursday, March 28th: 5:00 - 8:30 p.m. (members only)
Friday & Saturday, March 29th & 30th : 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (regular-price sale)
Sunday, March 31st: 1:00 - 4:30 p.m. (half-price sale)
Monday, April 1st: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (free giveaway)

More info here!
Read Across America Celebration
Saturday, March 2
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Lincoln Square Mall
Visit with us at Lincoln Square Mall as we join the Urbana Park District and over 40 local businesses and organizations to celebrate literacy! Hands-on activities, storytellers, costumed characters, a special parent and toddler area, local celebrity greeters, and books read in multiple languages make this event a family favorite.

The first 1,000 children who attend will receive a free bag and book of their choice!

Bulletproof : Poetry Reading and Book Release Local Poet Matthew Murrey
Tuesday, March 5
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)
Join us for the book release of local poet Matthew Murrey’s debut poetry collection,  Bulletproof . The poems in  Bulletproof  look at the joy and dread of being alive in this world.

Matthew Murrey's poems have appeared in various journals, most recently in  Rattle and One . He has received an NEA Fellowship in Poetry. Bulletproof , published by Jacar Press, is his first book. He is the Urbana High School librarian.

Visit his website here .

Some poems will include mature content.

Copies of the book will be available for purchase ($15)
Growing Up in Two Worlds:
Teens Speak Out About Immigration  
Wednesday, March 6
7:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)
Many teens in our community come from immigrant or refugees families. And some teens have even come on their own from another country. What do these young people have to say about their experiences? Young people from our community - from a variety of backgrounds - will talk about their experiences.

This program is a part of the Library's participation in a National Endowment for the Arts Big Read Program focusing on the novel  The Namesake  by Jhumpa Lahiri. NEA Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest .

Bitter Kola Tastes Sweet
Thursday, March 14
5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Busey-Mills Reading Room
(First Floor)
A public celebration of Black voices across cultures, times and literary genres.

Come hear people from our community read favorite poems, orations, historical speeches, prose and more from Black writers around the world. 

Cosponsored by the University of Illinois Center for African Studies and the African Studies Library .
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Urbana Pops
Orchestra Recital
Sunday, March 10
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Busey-Mills Reading Room
(First Floor)
Join us for a free recital series at The Urbana Free Library! Each recital will feature performances by members of the Urbana Pops Orchestra , which includes professional and student musicians.

Sponsored by The Urbana Free Library and Urbana Pops Orchestra .

For more information about Urbana Pops Orchestra, visit their page here.
LEGO ® Palooza
Saturday, March 16
All day
Lewis Auditorium
(Ground Floor)
Enter your most impressive LEGO ® creation into our Annual LEGO ®
building contest!

Judging will take place 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. by a team of LEGO ®  enthusiasts. Awards will be announced at 1:00 p.m.

Public viewing of all projects will be from 12:00 noon to 1:00 p.m.

Winners will receive a prize!

UFLive! presents
Vinny Santanelli
Sunday, March 17
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Busey-Mills Reading Room
(First Floor)
Vinny Santanelli is a folk ‘n blues artist who combines harmonica, acoustic guitar, vocals and other instruments in a unique and unforgettable way. Influenced by folk, jazz, blues, bluegrass and Celtic music, he creates an eclectic musical experience rich in story and vibrant in sound.

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 .
An Evening with
Frank & Allie Lee
with Sam Payne
Wednesday, March 27
6:30 - 7:30 PM
Busey-Mills Reading Room (First Floor)
Join Frank & Allie Lee (and local favorite Sam Payne ) for an intimate evening performance. You're in store for an evening of songs and tunes from the rural South, spanning bluegrass, old time, blues, and spirituals.

Allie and Frank , from popular old time band The Freight Hoppers, play guitars, banjos, harmonica, and fiddle - and sing nearly every piece in harmony. You'll have more fun than a barrel of...banjos!
Want to learn about all of our events for children and teens?
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