The Most Iconic Libraries in Illinois

Libraries have never really just been places to read. Whether they’re repositories for our prized cultural treasures or grand “palaces of learning” with some of the most stunning architecture you’ll find anywhere, they’re undeniably among the most beautiful and culturally significant buildings in many American cityscapes. One hotspot for such lavish libraries is the state of Illinois.

From ornate university libraries to public library branches with bold new designs, Illinois is incredibly rich in libraries that are worth visiting for more than just the books. These seven Illinois gems are some of the nation’s most stunning.

Newberry Library — Chicago, IL

Illinois’ iconic libraries are heavily concentrated in Chicago, but this one is perhaps the most impressive of them all. One of only two libraries on this list that isn’t affiliated with a public library system or a university, the Newberry is a humanities-focused, open-to-the-public research library that opened its doors in 1887. Its Romanesque Revival facade and priceless collection of rare books have made it one of the state’s most revered libraries since its inception.

But don’t make the mistake of thinking the Newberry Library’s prestige makes it unapproachable. Far from it: as specified in the will of benefactor Walter L. Newberry, this reference library serves the public, and Chicagoans can use its resources for personal projects and academic study. Its immense archive makes it particularly popular for genealogy enthusiasts looking into their family history.

If you’re looking for even more cultural treasures in the area around the Newberry, you’ll be happy to know that it’s located near the museum-heavy Magnificent Mile. The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of the area’s most famous draws, and if you’re in the area, you can stop by the 360 CHICAGO observation deck for panoramic city views.

Chicago Public Library Chinatown Branch

There are plenty of grand 19th-century libraries in the U.S. thanks to the prolific library-funding philanthropy of Gilded Age billionaire Andrew Carnegie. Still, finding a modern architectural masterpiece in a public library system is rarer. However, they’re out there if you know where to look, and one such library can be found in Chicago’s Chinatown.

What makes the 2015-inaugurated Chinatown Branch building so unique is its Chinese inspiration. It’s designed using the principles of Feng Shui, a form of traditional Chinese geomancy, and it fittingly serves as a hub for materials related to Chinese culture and Chicago’s Chinese-American community. Its exterior is just as striking, made almost completely of glass, and the rooftop offers some of the best views of Chicago’s skyline that you’ll find anywhere.

If you’re in the area, you can stretch your legs after visiting the beautifully landscaped Ping Tom Memorial Park. Moreover, the area is a hotspot for Chinese cuisine, and visitors can stop by Quin Xiang Yuan Dumplings for fan-favorite dim sum after they’re finished exploring the library.

Northwestern University Library — Evanston, IL

Northwestern University has no shortage of attractive libraries on its campus, but by far the most striking is the brutalist University Library erected in 1970. Designed by in-demand architect Walter S. Netsch, its imposing concrete exterior breaks from the norm of the palatial Neoclassical or Gothic Revival library, instead infusing a modern sensibility into the busiest library on Northwestern’s campus. It’s also connected to the Charles Deering Library, a strikingly different but beautiful building that served as the university’s library hub before the University Library was inaugurated.

While you’re on Northwestern University’s campus, you might want to check out the Block Museum of Art. Also, check out the charming, secluded Shakespeare Garden for an escape from the constant buzz of the student body.

Chicago Public Library Harold Washington Library Center

It took much debate to arrive at the design for this main branch of the Chicago Public Library. The library opened in 1991, following a 1987 design competition initiated by then-mayor Harold Washington. Today, it’s famous for its stunning glass domed roofs and its Special Collections: the library preserves a robust collection of materials focusing on Chicago and Civil War history. But this is a public library so visitors can expect all the usual services, from digital literacy classes to an open-to-the-public Maker Lab, in addition to its stunning architecture.

Close to many of Chicago’s most vaunted attractions, the Harold Washington Library Center makes a super-easy stop on a tour of Chicago highlights. If you’re in the area, the world-famous Art Institute of Chicago and Millennium Park, home to the infamous Bean statue, are right next door.

Chicago Public Library Blackstone Branch

Not only was the Blackstone Branch the first-ever Chicago Public Library in 1904, but it’s also one of the most architecturally striking. Its Neoclassical facade is designed to resemble the Erechtheion at the Acropolis in Athens, and it’s full of ornate detail from the stained-glass ceilings to a glass floor. It’s an unusually impressive place to enjoy such library services as language conversation groups, book clubs, or even a game of chess.

Located near the Chicago River in the Hyde Park neighborhood, the Blackstone Branch is a great place to stop by after getting some fresh air on the Lakefront Trail. Follow it a ways north and you’ll hit Oakwood Beach, the perfect place to beat the summer heat.

Poetry Foundation Library — Chicago, IL

Fittingly, the headquarters of the nonprofit Poetry Foundation is an open, airy, green, and inviting space in the heart of one of Chicago’s busiest neighborhoods. Seeking to provide a permanent home for the organization’s Poetry magazine and a place for the community to engage with poetry, it features an extensive poetry collection, exhibits, and performance spaces. The John Ronan Architects-designed building is most striking in its spareness, using simple materials, minimal ornamentation, and expansive windows to create an elegantly simple space.

Suppose all that elegant refinement gets to be too much. You can always beat a hasty retreat to the iconic nearby outpost of Giordano’s Pizza for a messy, wonderful Chicago deep-dish pie. The equally nearby Holy Name Cathedral, featuring some of Chicago’s most beautiful Gothic Revival architecture, is also worth a look.

Architecture enthusiasts know that Chicago boasts one of the richest architectural traditions in the U.S.. Still, few know that the whole state of Illinois is rife with stunning libraries to explore. Nor are many aware of the immense diversity of these offerings: there’s far more to the library landscape of Illinois than your local branch! From regal turn-of-the-century community hubs to striking modern additions to the cityscape, you could spend weeks exploring all these libraries offer. If that sounds like a pursuit you would gladly join in, you might just need to make Illinois your next destination.