University Library

Specialties

We provide general and specialized reference services, clean and comfortable study spaces, instructional services, and access to millions of print and online materials.

Not including the Main Stacks, the Main Library building contains nine different libraries and services units: the Classics Library, the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library, Illinois History and Lincoln Collections, the History, Philosophy, and Newspaper Library, the Literature and Languages Library, the Map Library, the Rare Book and Manuscript Library, the Scholarly Commons, and the University Archives,

History

Established in 1867.

The University Library was established in 1867, with a collection of 644 books purchased with $ 1,000 appropriated by the State of Illinois. In 1923, construction started on the Main Library building in order to house its rapidly growing collection. Today, the University Library is one of the largest university libraries in the world.

Since its establishment, the Library has placed a critical role in the teaching, research, and services mission of the University. Not only is it renowned worldwide for the depth and breadth of its collections, but for the expertise of its librarians and staff, and its innovative and cutting edge services.