The Urbana Free Library is working to preserve and promote local history – while working to address the needs of the future, according to its new executive director.
Taliah Abdullah was appointed to the position in July. She said the library has been updating its Champaign County Historical Archives since last year.
“This is such a hidden gem I feel like in our community,” she said.
Abdullah also said the library has seen growing demand for technology and other supplies. The facility has a “Library of Things” where people can check out musical instruments, cameras, and other items.
“The library is so much more than books, and we look forward to expanding our reach to meet people where they are,” she added.
Abdullah said she wants to make sure the library is a place for everybody. “We want to affirm that the library is a place for everyone, readers, non-readers, creators, and future leaders.”
The archives have copies of old newspapers, historical maps, government documents and genealogy records.
Abdullah said more than 7,000 new records have been digitized in a local history online catalog.
“Staff and volunteers processed the news gazette archives collection, indexing over 300 boxes of clippings in this collection,” she said. “Staff and volunteers also made more than 7,000 additions to the local history online catalog.”
The library has added the Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook and Illinois Central Railroad Scrapbook from the 1920’s, a daybook kept by a day laborer to track his employers and income from 1888 to 1939, and a digital collection titled “Queer Nightlife in Champagne Urbana, Illinois 1973 to 2000”.
The library is currently renovating its first floor and child play area and the project is expected to wrap up in December.