know, grow, go

FriendShop Used Books

Father’s Day Book Giveaway  In honor of dads (and uncles and grandpas, too), men can choose any regular-priced book in the FriendShop to take home free, during regular shop hours on June 16 and 17. Come discover this great used book store, on our lower level, open every weekend from 1:30 to 4:30 pm.   Read more.

Front of Main Library

Step into our light-filled, open spaces and see our wonderful Peter Sís murals, colorful TeenSpace, quiet meeting rooms,  Latte Da! Cafe, and FriendShop used book store. The library, at 200 W. Green St., is open weekdays 9-9; Saturdays 9-6; Sundays 1-6. Read more.

Douglass Branch Library

Our Douglass Branch Library, on the edge of Douglass Park, is open Monday to Thursday 10 am to 8 pm; Fridays 10 am to 6 pm; and Saturdays 10 am to 4 pm. Stop in for a great selection of books, DVDs, and CDs, plus friendly service, free Internet access, and public meeting space.

Library News

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How Are Our Storytimes?

We want your feedback! If you’ve recently attended O Baby, Baby Time, Tuesday Twos, Tales for Twos, Storyshop, or Goodnight Storyshop at the library, please share your comments through a brief online survey. Thank you!

Language Learning Made Easy:
Mango Languages Adds Android App

On your computer or on the go, Mango Languages brings you simple online lessons in 35+ languages, including Spanish, Japanese, Korean, and Arabic. You can read, listen, and repeat as much as you like. Mango also has an app for Android phones (just introduced!) and Apple devices. Use your Champaign library card number to log in. Read more.

Friends Give $44,300 to the Library

Income from sales in the FriendShop bookstore and Friends memberships allowed the Library Friends to give $44,300 to the library this past year. This record-breaking total was announced at the group’s annual meeting in April, where the Friends also honored retiring board members John Frayne, Joanne Kelly, and Deb Sanderson. Read more in our May enewsletter. (For regular library and Friends updates, you can sign up to receive our newsletter monthly.)

Library Closed on Monday, May 28

The library will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Mon., May 28. Our book returns will stay open, to accept returned materials.

School bus illustration

Countdown to Kindergarten: Infants, Todders & Preschoolers

It's never too early to prepare for success in school. Take your infant, toddler, or preschooler to our Douglass Branch on Sat., May 19, at 1 pm, for activities designed to build school-readiness skills at home, as well as information on developmental screenings for your child.

Swords and Roses performer

Summer Reading Kickoff

Aargh you ready to “Treasure Your Reading” this summer? Jump on board with Swords and Roses at our kickoff event on Sat., May 26, at 2 pm. We’ll have an action-packed program filled with swashbuckling, singing, and stunts, plus early registration for the summer reading game, for 4th grade graduates and younger.

Mural Sketches in FriendShop

Images of pen-and-ink sketches by Peter Sís are now on display in our FriendShop—early studies for the murals this acclaimed illustrator created for our children’s area. The murals were made possible by private funding, including a gift from the Library Friends. The sketches are dedicated in memory of longtime Friends member and volunteer Donald S. Charlton.