Hello From the New Children's Services Director

Hi, I am Lora Fegley and I am so excited to be the new director of Children's Services at The Urbana Free Library.  It's such a great library with lots of fun things to do.  Urbana, Illinois, has been my home for two years and I really like living here.  I especially like the snow and cold weather--for the first time in my life I own a winter coat and a pair of snow boots!  I never needed warm clothes because I was born and raised in South Florida and lived there for 46 years (I am giving away my age).  Yes, I have been in the eye of two hurricanes, seen lots of alligators, and have actually seen a shark or two while swimming in the ocean.  I've watched sea turtles lay eggs in the sand, waded through the Everglades, and could see the space shuttle launches from my front yard.  Sure, it all sounds adventurous, but I think life in the Midwest is just as fun.  I like spending time hiking in the woods or walking through Meadowbrook Park (I like flying my kite there, too!).  But my VERY favorite thing to do is to be at the library, helping kids and their parents find great books--ask me, I would be happy to help you find a wonderful read!

Let me introduce a couple of Florida authors from my hometown.


Marsh Music by Marianne Berkes, illustrated by Robert Noreika, tells the story of an unusual chorus--a chorus made up of frogs!  As dark settles in the marsh, the frogs begin their nightly sing-along.  Spend the night in the marsh learning about frogs and music.

Ocean Commotion:  Sea Turtles is written and illustrated by Janeen Mason.  I love the colors in this book; Mason really makes the ocean come alive in this story about the life of a sea turtle.













Next time you're in the library, stop me and tell me about some of your favorite books!

--Lora F.