ENJOY TEA with the Library Friends, a talk The News-Gazette’s award-winning editor, Jeff D’Alessio, and a brief annual meeting of the Library Friends. Free and open to the public—everyone is welcome!
About the speaker:
Jeff D’Alessio is in his second act at The News-Gazette, returning as editor in November 2013 to the newspaper where he covered Illini men’s basketball in the late-1990s, in the community where he got married (Champaign Central grad Christa Husband) in 1998. In between his two stints at the News-Gazette, Jeff has been sports editor at Florida Today in Melbourne, Florida; senior editor at the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and editor-in-chief of The Sporting News. Since his return to C-U, The News-Gazette has been honored as Illinois’ mid-sized newspaper of the year eight times in nine tries, the best stretch of any newspaper—big, medium, or small—in the Illinois Press Association’s annual competition. Jeff was named Illinois’ editor of the year in 2020 and to Editor & Publisher’s inaugural class of 15 U.S. “Editors Extraordinaire” in 2022. His regular features in The News-Gazette include the Big 10 and Beyond the Boardroom and two standalone special sections, Meeting Minutes & More (every other Friday) and Town Hall (Tuesdays). He’s far more comfortable writing than speaking in public, so feel free to ask questions.
The Library Friends are a very special group of people, whose support has translated into beautiful lobby installations, dozens of iPads for kids to play and learn on, hundreds of engaging events for kids and families, millions of minutes read during summer reading challenges, and much, much more. The library’s FriendShop Bookstore is staffed entirely by volunteers and run by this group. Over the years, the leadership and members have dedicated both time and money to extend the library’s reach into the community. Thank you!
Want to join the Library Friends? Sign up on our website. A year-long membership starts at only $10 for an individual and $15 for a family.
Our beautiful, state-of-the-art Main Library opened on January 6, 2008. You’ll find a wide variety of books, movies, and music, as well as free events for all ages. Looking for tech options? We offer free Wifi, dozens of public computers with internet access, and public meeting rooms.
