July 2021

Meeting Rooms are back! Our small study rooms on the 2nd Floor may be reserved for two-hour blocks. Reservations can be made up to one week in advance at the second floor Reference Desk or by calling 217-367-4405. These rooms can accommodate up to eight people. Reservations for the Lewis Auditorium (located on the Ground Floor) can be made online here. The first date the Auditorium will be available for use is July 5. It may be reserved online up to six months in advance and must be reserved at least 72 hours prior to the event. This space can accommodate up to 130 people. If you have questions about reserving the Auditorium, please call the Question Desk at 217-367-4069. Covered drinks are permitted but food is not allowed in meeting rooms. Before making a reservation, be sure to read the information on our meeting rooms webpage including the Library’s Meeting Room Policy and the Rules of Behavior Policy. The Satterthwaite Conference Room is not available for public use at this time.

Read with friends in Beanstack You can now add friends to your Beanstack account! Share badges, challenges, and reading stats as you participate in our Summer Reading Program. Are you new to Beanstack? Beanstack is an app for tracking the books you've read. You can create an account for yourself and other members of your family, then track reading, complete challenges, and earn badges and prizes. You can also submit book reviews. Click on the video tutorials below to learn more!

Intro | Creating an Account | Computer Web Browser | Android | Apple iOS

The Summer Reading Program is generously supported by the Friends of The Urbana Free Library.

We want your feedback!  We're gathering community input about our building and spaces. Please take a few minutes to complete this feedback form. Your feedback will help us complete a Building Program to guide our future space needs.

FEATURED EVENTS

House Histories with Brian Adams Tuesday, July 13 • 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Zoom • For adults Have you ever wanted to know more about your ancestors' home or who built your own home? On this night, Brian Adams, Ph.D. will review some of the ways in which you can research the history of your house or other buildings in your community. Learn more and register here. Cosponsored by The Urbana Free Library and the Champaign County Genealogical Society. A Way with Wool and Weaving Saturday, July 17 • 9:00 – 9:30 a.m. Facebook • For families Have you ever wondered how wool from a sheep turns into a wool sweater or carpet? Join Sandy Osborne online with the Museum of the Grand Prairie, as she shares the concepts of wool dyeing and weaving that were used long ago in textile creation. Prepare for the program by coming by the Library to pick up an accompanying craft kit. Learn more and register here. Cosponsored by The Urbana Free Library and the Museum of the Grand Prairie.

Mutual Aid around Food: A Community Panel Discussion Thursday, July 22 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Zoom • For adults In times of crisis throughout history, Champaign County's community members have come together to provide healthy food while building a sense of unity and mutual care. Today’s historic time of multiple pandemics including COVID 19, climate crisis, economic crisis, racism and other "isms" is no different. Join The Urbana Free Library and the Museum of the Grand Prairie as they welcome community members who are working to make a real change in the ways in which we get and grow our food in these uncertain times. Learn more and register here. This event is cosponsored by Solidarity Gardens C-U and by the cosponsors of the Pandemics as a Portal to Change Exhibition: Krannert Art Museum, the Museum of the Grand Prairie, The Urbana Free Library, Urbana Arts and Culture Program, the College of Fine and Applied Arts at Illinois, and Urbana-Champaign Independent Media Center.

Garden to Plate: Cook Fresh with the Red Herring Sunday, July 25 • 4:00 – 4:30 p.m. Facebook • For teens, adults, and families Prepare fresh and delicious dishes with the creative cooks from the Red Herring Restaurant. Red Herring staff will offer tips on selecting and preparing in-season vegetables and herbs. We will provide a supply list in advance of seasonal foods that will be prepared. This event will premiere on the Library's Facebook page and will continue to be available for viewing. Cosponsored by the Red Herring Restaurant, Solidarity Gardens C-U and The Urbana Free Library.

CLICK HERE TO SEE OUR FULL EVENTS CALENDAR

 eResource of the Month:

NoveList Plus has been helping readers find their next favorite book for more than 20 years. This database provides detailed information about each book, from genres and reviews to more unique descriptors such as qualities of the writing (e.g. “atmospheric,” “stylistically complex,” or “character driven”). You can also search for books or authors that are similar to ones you already like and fall in love with your next favorite story. What a great way to find your next book for Summer Reading! Access NoveList Plus through the Library's website or app! Website: Click here to visit our Databases page, then click "NoveList Plus" under "Reading & Streaming." App: Online Resources > Books & Reading > NoveList Plus

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