Library Friends Annual Meeting
Revisiting Early Baseball in Illinois with Bob Sampson
Wednesday, June 17
4:00pm - 5:00pm
Main Library
Robeson Pavilion Room A & BJoin us to learn about the history of the Library Friends followed by a presentation from local author Robert Sampson.
About the speaker:
Robert D. Sampson is the author of "Ballists, Dead Beats, and Muffins: Inside Early Baseball in Illinois." A native of Mattoon, he spent most of his life in Decatur, where he wrote for the Decatur Herald and the Daily Review newspapers, and later held local office. After joining the University of Illinois in 1985 as a writer for the Cooperative Extension Service, he earned his PhD in history and taught part-time at the University of Illinois, Eastern Illinois University, and for twenty years at Millikin University. He moved to Bloomington in 2020 and became the editor of the Journal of the Illinois State Historical Society in
2021. His baseball book was the co-winner of the Illinois State Historical Society's Book of the Year Award in 2024.
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.
Main Library
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.