September 2019
Library closed Sunday, September 1 &
Monday, September 2 for Labor Day.
September is Library Card Sign-Up Month!
We'll be out in the community signing people up for cards all month long! Tell a friend to get their Library card today!
Mayor Marlin's 2019 Summer Reading Challenge Celebration!
Sunday, September 15
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
MacFarlane-Hood Reading Room (First Floor)

Celebrate beating Mayor Marlin's 2019 Summer Challenge!

You did it, Urbana! Another successful Summer Reading program is in the books, and we want you to come celebrate with us! Stop by between 1:00-2:00 p.m. for all-ages crafts, refreshments, and a fun photo booth. At 2:00 p.m., we’ll announce the winners of our summer reading prizes and hear from Mayor Diane Marlin. Then keep the party going with the UFLive! concert featuring the Emily Anne Band. We’d love to see you there!
A UFLive! presents
Emily Anne Band
Sunday, September 15
2:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Busey Mills Reading Room (First Floor)

Live local music with the Emily Anne Band!

Emily Anne sings with the voice of an angel but the grit of a country girl. Her wide variety of folk originals and country covers will rouse even the most ardent of critics for a boot-stomping anthem or a heart-breakin' waltz. Raised on the likes of John Prine while always lookin’ up to country greats like Loretta Lynn and Patsy Cline; Emily Anne carries the torch of just a few chords and a darn good time.

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 .
The 6th Annual Immigrant Welcome Awards
Saturday, September 21
3:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)

Awards Ceremony, Cultural Performance, and Art Opening

Come celebrate the diversity of cultures that make up our community with an afternoon of food, music, and special guests. The  Immigrant Welcome Awards Ceremony  recognizes the contributions of individuals and organizations that have created a welcoming atmosphere for immigrants in the Champaign-Urbana community.  Guests can also view BELONGING(S) , the latest installment of the City of Urbana’s Artist of the Corridor exhibition series.  BELONGING(S) , which has been curated by Urbana Arts and Culture Program , is a collection of photography and short stories from local immigrants exploring identity, artifact, memory, and the meaning of home.  

Free and open to the public.

Sponsored by  C-U Immigration Forum  with cosponsors  CU FAIR ,  The Urbana Free Library ,  Urbana Arts and Culture Program ,  University YMCA New American Welcome Center , the Channing Murray Foundation , the City of Champaign , and the City of Urbana .
Urbana Pops Orchestra Concert
Sunday, September 22
2:00 - 3:30 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  http://www.urbanapops.org .
National Voter
Registration Day
Tuesday, September 24
2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
At the Library

Your Voice. Your Vote. Celebrate National Voter Registration Day.

The Library is partnering with the Champaign County League of Women Voters to celebrate National Voter Registration Day at the Library. This is a non-partisan event.

  • Register to vote. You will be surprised how easy it is! You can vote in the Illinois primary if you are 17 before March 17, 2020! 
  • Pick up information on how to let your legislators know what you think. 
  • Find out about how the library can help you get reliable, fact-based news about the issues.
  • Ask questions from expert League members and library staff­­.
  • Tell us what voting issues you would like to discuss in future library meetings.

Our goal is support your journey in becoming a lifelong, engaged, and informed voter. The Library and the League welcome ALL.     
Thursday, September 26 • 6:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Lewis Auditorium (Ground Floor)

Poet, Mahogany L. Brown will be at the Library for a poetry reading and book signing as part of Pygmalion.

Mahogany L. Browne is the author of the YA poetry book  Black Girl Magic , and the children’s book  Woke Baby . Her poetry collections include  Kissing Caskets  and  Redbone . She co-edited the poetry anthology  The Breakbeat Poets Vol. 3: Black Girl Magic  and is at work on  WOKE: A Young Poets Guide To Justice . Browne is the recipient of numerous literary fellowships and has appeared on BuzzFeed Live, HBO & PBS NEWShour. She is the Artistic Director of Urban Word NYC and the Poetry Coordinator at St. Francis College’s MFA Program.

Mahogany L. Browne's visit is generously sponsored by  The Urbana Free Library Foundation .

For the full schedule of Pygmalion events see:  http://thisispygmalion.com/schedule/
145th Anniversary
Library Building Tour
Saturday, September 28
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Library

Tour the Library building and learn more about the history of the Library.

Have you ever wondered about the history of the Library building or what it looks like behind the scenes? This is your chance! As part of the Library's 145th anniversary, take a tour the building led by former Library Executive Director Fred Schlipf. Learn how the Library has changed over time, what parts are new, and what areas are a hundred years old.

All participants must register by September 27th and space is limited.  Register by clicking here.
Want to learn about all of our events for children and teens?
Sign up for our  Youth & Teen Programs eNewsletter !
Interested in the Champaign County Historical Archives?
Sign up for the Local History & Genealogy eNewsletter  here .
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Urbana Free Library happenings!