March 2019
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Annual Campaign Update
Going strong for 144 years -- with your support!

Total raised for our 2018-2019 Annual Campaign (as of 3/14/19): $48,675

The Urbana Free Library Foundation had an amazing year! Donations supported:

  • Repair of the library's historic front porch (starting in November 2018)
  • A visit from National Slam Champion poet Elizabeth Acevedo (right with a young fan) to kick off the Pygmalion Lit Festival (attended by more than 120 people)
  • Landscaping on the corner lot at Race and Green Streets (now featuring the sculpture Races)
  • Purchase of 10 WiFi hotspots to increase internet access in the community (43 checkouts in two months)

Help us make 2019 even better! Please consider making a donation to the Foundation to support Library collections, programs, and facilities. Your gift can make a difference, no matter the size.

Support the Foundation  Online  or  Print a PDF Form .
New Director of Development & Promotion
Amanda Standerfer joined The Urbana Free Library as the director of development & promotion at the end of October 2018. This new position, partially funded by the Foundation, will divide time between fundraising and marketing duties.

Amanda came to TUFL from The Lumpkin Family Foundation in Mattoon, where she served as the program officer. She has also worked for the Southeastern Illinois Community Foundation in Mattoon and Effingham.

In addition to her philanthropy experience, Amanda has worked as a library director ( Effingham Public Library ) and division head ( Decatur Public Library ). She is also the founder of Fast Forward Libraries , providing consulting services for libraries focusing on strategic planning, fundraising, and coaching.

Amanda holds a B.A. and an M.A. in history from Eastern Illinois University and an M.S. in library and information science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign .

You can find out more about Amanda on LinkedIn . To schedule time to talk with Amanda about a gift to the Library, contact her at [email protected] .
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 28:  5:00 - 8:30 p.m. (members only)
Friday & Saturday, March 29 & 30 : 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. (regular-price sale)
Sunday, March 31:  1:00 - 4:30 p.m. (half-price sale)
Monday, April 1:  9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (free giveaway)

More info  here.
Herbert Goldhor Award
The Friends of the Library sponsors the Herbert Goldhor Award, given each year to an outstanding graduate of the University of Illinois School of Information Sciences who is specializing in public libraries. The Award recognizes a student with unusual promise to be a leader in public library development.

The awared is named in honor of Professor Herbert Goldhor (on the right with Barbara Donagan, assistant to the editor of library school publications), who was director of the University of Illinois Graduate School of Library Science and director of Library Research Center from 1963-78. He also served as professor of library science and associate director of the Graduate School of Library Science at University of Illinois and as chief librarian of the Evansville (IN) Public Library.

A lifelong supporter of public libraries, Dr. Goldhor passed away in 2011. Read his obituary here.