Main Library

The Main Library is a Georgian Revival building on the University of Illinois campus with limestone archways and a slate roof. The structure spans four acres and houses extensive collections for research and study across multiple subject areas.

The building was constructed in 1924 as the third university library structure and replaced an earlier facility. It received National Register of Historic Places designation in 2000.

The library serves as a meeting place for scholars and students seeking rare books and manuscripts in specialized collections. Visitors can encounter historical documents and first editions that reflect the institution's academic traditions and intellectual life.

The building operates as an active research facility with extensive collections available to visitors and is currently undergoing renovation work. Plan your visit with flexibility to account for possible access changes as construction progresses.

The structure follows a figure-eight floor plan with two enclosed courtyards, an unusual design choice for a university building of this era. This layout differed markedly from the traditional designs that dominated other campus structures from the 1920s.