May 2019
The Library will be closed May 26 & 27 for Memorial Day
12th Annual Fairy Tale Ball
Friday, Ma y 3 | 6:00 - 9:00 p.m
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)
Adventure and excitement await! Fairy tale lovers of all ages are invited to an evening of stories, crafts, games, and entertainment. Don your shiny suit of armor or sparkly ball gown, or dress like your favorite fairy tale character, and join us for an evening of fantasy and frivolity.

The 12th Annual Fairy Tale Ball is
generously sponsored by
Fred Schlipf and Diane Hillard .
Free Comic Book Day
Saturday, May 4 | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room (First Floor)
To celebrate Free Comic Book Day, come sharpen your superhero skills. Save the city, answer superhero trivia, and pick your own free comic! Come in costume to show off your superhero style!

In partnership with  G-Mart  and the  Champaign Public Library .
Preservation Today:
The Future of the Past

Saturday, May 4 | 2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)

People have been saving places important to their communities for more than a century. Their right to do so has been codified in laws at the local, state, and national levels. So why then do we continue to read about the destruction of historic places? Join us for a discussion about historic preservation in the 21st century. What does "preservation" mean today? How can people who love their communities take action? How can we collectively begin to correct the narrative?

The discussion will be led by Matt Metcalf , a public historian and historic preservation educator. In addition to his work with moving image archives, Matt teaches introductory historic preservation courses for the Bucks Historic Preservation program. You can also see Matt's work marking the memorable stories of yesteryear in his From the Vault series, airing Fridays at 6:30 pm on WCIA-TV, Channel 3.

Brain Teasers & Treats: Game Night
Tuesday, May 21 | 5:00 - 6:30 p.m
Phillips Recreation Center

Interested in keeping your brain fit? Join staff from the Urbana Park District and The Urbana Free Library for an evening of games, activities, and treats designed to sharpen your brain!
UFLive! presents:
The Coneflowers

Sunday, May 19
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Busey-Mills Reading Room
(First Floor)

The Coneflowers are a group of fierce women who love to make music on their day off. Members of the group include accomplished local bluegrass, folk, choral, and classical musicians who sing and play everything from Iris Dement to Bob Marley to the Badgett Sisters – and often in four part harmony!

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 .
Oral History Workshop
Saturday, May 25 | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Busey Mills Reading Room
Ever wanted to record your family's or community's stories? This introductory workshop will provide you with tips to guide you from your initial idea to a finished project. We will discuss planning and conducting your interview, and provide an overview of helpful technology. We'll also provide examples, additional resources, and highlight some local oral history projects.  

The workshop will be presented by  Kathryn La Barre , an Associate Professor at the School of Information Sciences, Archivist and Zine Librarian at the Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center, and Librarian at the Rantoul Multi-Cultural Center. A longtime Urbana resident, she’s been involved with several oral history projects, and teaches a graduate level seminar in oral history at the University of Illinois.
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