The Newberry Library offers the classic book lover's collection from vintage manuscripts, scrolls, ancient maps, archeological treasures, book binders' secrets, and many cultural events open to the public. Visit the Newberry Library for additional information. You can even trace your ancestry through the Genealogy Research Center.

The library tour was very informative, check out their website for more info.

Wonderful way to spend the afternoon . This is the coolest free activity around. Hundreds of subjects to explore and the staff was very helpful. We even looked at a 1612 spell book. We are tourists in the city and this felt like a hidden gem

The name is misleading. This is not a library. For general public it is more a monument with occasional free exhibition inside. No easily and immediate access to books or reading. Was rudely turned down while exploring.

The Newberry Library is currently under construction. However, the Genealogy Research Program is available to the public upon request Visit The Newberry Library for more information.

Don’t miss their annual book festival - they have an incredible range of books at only a few bucks each!

I was there for their annual book festival. They had such a wide and great collection of books that readers would love to pick from. They also offer interesting classes throughout the year. My wife bought a few kindergarten books for my son and they absolutely love to read it everyday at home. We also took our son here for reading sessions a few times a week.

I had a wonderful day exploring their family history database. You need to become a member for free online, go to front desk to get a card, put all your items in a locker and make up your own code, go through security (I needed my computer/ charger and phone charger). Once I got up to the 2nd floor I was told to get on their wifi and go to the Newberry website and search database and I had access to all they had. I loved looking for newspaper clippings in the Chicago tribune, using FamilySearch to view/save actual Chicago birth and death records. All in all I saved/ screenshot 60 records in the 5 hours I spent there! Pro tips would be to find all the records in Family Search you want to search and have the links saved to the people you are searching. Also next time I go, I want to make an appointment with an expert to take my Chicago family history to the next level!

This is THE MOST UNFRIENDLY LIBRARY I HAVE EVER SEEN. I just returned from a visit there. The guard bread crumbed me each and every step. First I could not bring my bad in the library. After I looked at her with disbelief she admitted that I COULD use a smaller plastic bag to put my belongings in. After another 5 minutes of cross examination she admitted that she had the approved bag that I could use. Next, my library card was out of date because I last used it in 2020. So I had to go to the "unwelcome center" to get it updated. After 15 minutes of back and forth, I finally was admitted. I just don't understand why someone who is devoid of any and all people skills who enjoys punishing random people just for having the nerve to want to do research there is there. Why? I just want to do research why do I have to be her whipping post. Ridiculous. Namaste.

Chayla and Martina were our contacts at the Newberry Library when planning our wedding, and they were such great resources during the planning process. Having booked our venue in December of 2020, we had to navigate around a lot of changes and regulations with the city when it came to events. Chayla and Martina always used transparency and worked with us to give us the event we dreamed of. The venue was decorated beautifully, and they helped to relieve so much stress on the day of the wedding by helping to organize and arrange all of the vendors.

Would recommend taking the weekly building tour to learn about this library. Much less of a place to do your own thing, but much more of a place to be used when viewing their historic archive. Though they do have a small lounge on the first floor for short visits in which you can chill and do whatever. Also usually an interesting rotating exhibit on the first floor.

As others have noted, this is not a public library, but a by-appointment research library with exhibits and events on the first floor. The exhibit’s are open later than the hours shown on Google, which reflects the library itself. Admission to exhibits is free—this isn’t a must for those visiting Chicago, but if you’re local or in the area, it’s certainly worth checking out what exhibit they have on! Right now, they have an absolutely fantastic pop-up book exhibit and you get a free pop up souvenir at the end. They also have some neat events and lectures.

Pop-up exhibition is GREAT. Free entry but donation is welcome and they do deserve it !

Excellent place for learning. The building is beautiful. There is a park across the street. Bring a sandwich and make a day of your visit.

Beautiful facility, good for research

Beautiful library, and what a great exhibits!

Nice place for an event. I went to a wedding here and you never knew it was a working library.

Delightful place for personal research on just about any humanities- or social science-related topic, including family genealogy.

Kinda smells like farts but still pretty good

wish it had way more books.

very nice place to read out loud. i like to come on the weekends and drink coffee and water. the books here are very good too. they hardbacks and soft ones. this is n overall great place to hangout

Wonderful library! Beautiful building with great historical displays

Nice story about the Pullman maids. However when we tried to look further into the library we were told we couldn't. What's the point?

Not a library you have to be rich and have very special privileges and credentials to enter. Its a very exclusive area your very lucky to even look at the building from outside.

I love visiting libraries and bookstores so decided to stop in here on whim when I was in the area. I started with a handwriting display that was very well done and interesting and a docent mentioned that a free tour of the building was about to start. I’m so glad I took the tour. Lou was funny, interesting, and kept the tour moving at just the right speed for me.

We attended the book sale. It was incredible

This place is all sorts of amazing. A must for anyone visiting Chicago as well as a must for any Chicago citizen. 2 hours of free parking to boot. During our short time here we visited the museum on the 9th floor, watched a band perform in the amphitheater, made a bookmark, observed a coding camp and visited the very cool chic hip library store. After this free adventure hit up juice saves a few blocks away !

One of the best calligraphic collections in the Midwest! Amazing staff, amazing literature. Thanks for preserving our works! The Newberry is a very giving library. They support the Chicago Calligraphy Collective by purchasing our work during a Juried competition and keeping it in their archive. So cool! Thanks for all you do!!

Like you walked into a history book!! They have really interesting classes and a wonderful book fair in the summer!!

Julie and I thoroughly enjoyed a visit. An AMAZING building and stellar collection. We saw an exhibit there from the Newberry's Pullman railroad collection focusing on race and racism. Sobering.

(Translated by Google) Learning place (Original) 学习场所

Not a public library. Not intended to be used as a common reading space. They'll turn you away from making use of their facilities unless you have credentials and are actively doing research or have a certain look. Beware.

I love the beautiful exhibits in this place. I love to read my books and the place is so relaxing. I spent my weekend in this quiet place. I would love to recommend this to everyone.

A grand, historic library with all of your literary needs!

I went to two separate wedding ceremonies and receptions here and both were great. It’s a great space with a historic feel yet nothing feels outdated. The reception hall is beautiful and has plenty of space for a wedding with around 100 guests. The food is great and is served by a friendly staff. Not to mention the location is great - right in the city of Chicago. You’ll probably have to pay for parking but there’s plenty nearby and also the Library does validate your ticket in order to receive a discount. Just don’t try the discount if you’re using SpotHero.

Beautiful place. Friendly place.

Great library! & Great place to do your research. Read rare ? books. ?Restrooms. ?Drinking Fountain. ?WiFi.

Beautiful historic building, amazing exhibits, deep & diverse collections, friendly & accommodating staff, generous policies, brilliant programming...what's not to love? The Newberry is a happy place.

Excellent experience with everything. Would love to have the yearly gala there.

Beautiful Library. The gift shop has lots of interesting products and they're affordable too.

There’s a lovely outdoor sculpture garden in front of the library! Check it out !

Great exhibit in Japanese Photographer from the 20's and 30's. He caught the race riots with stunning photos. Also Indiana Dunes.

I think they dont want the public to use it as an ordinary reading room where people read or study. They turned me away saying it is better for me to go to the public library for that purpose. Very disappointed. Also dont understand why

Spent a day here doing genealogy and it was great. Spacious, well-staffed, amazing collection of materials.

i have visited here 2-3 times to find something interesting books and each time i was happy with the experience i had. The library was amazing and the atmosphere was very calm and positive. They displayed all the stuff very well. Must recommended place for readers

If any genealogical research needs to be done. A good local resource.

Beautiful, historic space.

Good environment

Great place for books!

Beautiful building with lots of quiet spots. Great for fund raisers and other venues.

Can I see the copy of Popol Vuh

I did some genealogy research today, and the staff went WAY beyond what I expected. Matthew took careful notes on my research subject, and spent some time with me, pointing me in the right direction, and helping with the research. I didn't have a ton of time to work there, but while I was there I was treated courteously, and the library was well-kept as well. Great visit.

Super place on sale in July, we been a couple times with family. It Great.

Beautiful building with lots of quiet spots. Great for fund raisers and other venues.

Great, historic building for a wedding! Team was easy to work with and accommodating.

Books and magazines are the best way to live and i was called for more information about your senior year and I am interested in what I can still feel the need for you guys too.

The Newberry Library is a Chicago treasure and a gift to scholars, especially historians and genealogists. The library always has at least one exhibit on books and publishing, all available for free, as well as exceptional reading rooms. The reading rooms are like many European libraries. Instead of open shelves for browsing, you select items from the catalogue and ask for them to be brought to you. While you do need to apply for a researcher card, you don't have to be affiliated with any institution, and the basic service is free. Naturally, you do have to pay for copying or reproducing materials. The Library is home to several wonderful special collections, including medieval manuscripts, documents about Native American nations, maps, and materials on the history of the book. The catalogue is available online. The building is a Chicago landmark, especially after the multi-year cleaning that revealed it as made of salmon-colored rather than dark brown stone. The Library also hosts free tours and there are also many paid programs and classes. There's a small but very fine book shop, specializing in material about Chicago, books about books, and local authors. There's a booksale every summer as well, with used and collectable books at generally good prices. Public transportation is easy from downtown or anywhere on the Red Line. It's about four blocks from the Clark and Division Red Line stop, and the 22, 36, and 156 buses stop very close. The 22 bus, in fact, stops right at the door. The nearby plaza is a pleasant place to linger.

Superior collection of ancient maps! Who knew...this place out-did my old haunt St. Pancras research library in London (that's library, not a train station...).

(Translated by Google) If you work in New Spain, the Philippines or medieval literature, this will definitely be the research center that you should visit. The references are very friendly and professional, they answer all your questions! (Original) Si trabajas la Nueva España, las Filipinas o literatura medieval definitivamente este será el centro de investigación que debes visitar. Los referencistas son muy amables y son muy profesionales, resuelven todas tus dudas!

Gorgeous architecture & amazing collections! The exhibit on the Chicago World’s Fair alone is worth the visit.

Interesting experience here. I’m a premed student and like to explore the city. Figured I’d get some studying done here and check it out. Was told I was “not allowed” to go up to use reading rooms since that’s “not what they do here”? I understand their main focus is humanities research but jeez…just wanted to do some learning on a Thursday morning in a cool old building. Have never been to a library and told essentially to kick rocks? Weird. Maybe librarian was just having a bad day.

One of the most magical places I have ever been!! The new pop up book exhibition is a super engaging, fun, and whimsical! Truly a must see. We also happened to run into the curator and she was lovely! In addition, to the temporary exhibit the non circulating collection is stunning! All librians and staff were very helpful and patience to my many questions. In a handful of hours I was able to see a letter from Michelangelo, study the early blueprints for the creation of Chicago, as well as handle a 14th century illuminated manuscript. Also!!! This experience was entirely FREE!!! I cannot recommend this experience enough!

Thank you for Thomas Gay for being an original gamer, you a real one, packwatch + limited puff pack homie.