By Ahmad | week 3 | Tuesday | 17 June 2025
During our visit to The Urbana Free Library, we were warmly welcomed by Joel Spencer, Manager of the Teen Open Lab, and Jordan Kahle, Patron Services Librarian. They provided an informative and engaging tour of the library, including the shelves and collections, the computer and technology areas, and various exhibits on display. We took note of book reviews and staff recommendations prominently featured to guide readers, as well as thematic exhibits that help highlight curated titles to users.
Joel Spencer also explained the membership process. Obtaining a library card at The Urbana Free Library is both convenient and accessible. Residents living within Urbana city limits are eligible for a free library card, which remains active for three years. Individuals who live outside Urbana may also be eligible based on their location. There are two easy ways to apply for a card, online through the library’s website or in person at the Welcome Desk. For children under 14, a parent or guardian must accompany them with a photo ID and proof of address. The child must be present when receiving the card.
The next area we visited was the seed box. One of the most delightful surprises during our tour of The Urbana Free Library was the unique drawer housing the Urbana Seed Exchange. The Urbana Seed Exchange is a thoughtful, community-driven project that invites everyone, seasoned gardeners and first-timers alike to take home up to 10 seed packets and start growing. Even better, it encourages people to give back by donating seeds they’ve harvested, clearly labelled with the plant name, where it was grown, and the year. Including a photo is a welcome personal touch. It’s a beautiful blend of learning, sustainability, and community spirit.
We were also brought to the Teen Open Lab at The Urbana Free Library, which is designed to be a vibrant, hands-on creative space for teens. On most Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons, the Lewis Auditorium transforms into a buzzing creative playground filled with tools, resources, and opportunities. The Teen Open Lab offers a wide range of maker activities. Teens can engage in music recording, sewing and textile crafting, artistic drawing, gaming and social play, filmmaking and video production, as well as various creative crafting projects. The space itself was welcoming and inspiring, with colorful decorations like painted skateboards hanging on the walls that added a personal, artsy vibe clearly reflecting teen expression.
The library also provides an Interlibrary Loan service and is home to the Champaign County Historical Archives, a remarkable collection of local history that I found particularly valuable. I think this is a great resource to have in a library, and it’s an idea I would consider implementing at my own library after this visit.