Tours of the Library

Get acquainted with YOUR library! You have several library tour options available to you:

The Library's holdings are physically housed in approximately 30 departmental libraries, area studies centers, and special collections throughout the library system and in the central bookstacks in the Main Library. While some departmental libraries are housed in the Main Library building, others are strategically located near the department or college whose study, teaching, and research needs they serve. Each library maintains reference materials in its particular subject areas and offers a full range of reference services geared toward assisting library users with specialized information needs.

Each  departmental library maintains a homepage with information about its collections and services.

• New student tours
• Multilingual tours 
• Arrange for a group tour

Uncover and Discover #1: New Student Tours

Get to know the University Library system and services at the University of Illinois. We'll take you on a tour of the Main and Undergraduate Libraries, stopping to see all major service points. Next, we'll provide you with an introduction to the Library Gateway, your home for virtual library resources. No registration necessary. Contact the Information Services Desk for more information: reflib@library.illinois.edu or call 217-333-2290.

• Introduction to the Undergraduate Library to learn about where course reserves, DVD's and video games are located
• Tour the Main Library to see the layout of the building, including the Information Desk, the Main Stacks and the Scholarly Commons
• Introduction to the Library Gateway
• Pick up handouts on library services and instruction
• Ask questions!

Meet in the Marshall Gallery on the first floor of the Main Library, near the Social Sciences, Health and Education Library.

Check back ion January for the Spring 2012 schedule

Multilingual Tours

The Library will be offering tours in a variety of languages on Wednesday, 9/12 and Thursday, 9/13. Come learn about the library, its services, and our collections in your language.                         

Fall 2012 Multilingual Tour Schedule:

Just drop by at the time of the scheduled tour. Meet in the Marshall Gallery on the  first floor of the Main Library, near the Social Sciences, Health, and Education Library. 

Arrange for a group tour

To arrange a group tour (please allow two weeks planning time for any requested tour):

• If you would like to request a subject specific tour, please contact your departmental library.
• For faculty and teaching assistants who would like to request a tour of the Main Library for their class, please contact Merinda Hensley, Instructional Services Librarian.
• To request tours of the Main Stacks, please contact Central Access Services.
• To request tours of the library for community or alumni groups may be arranged by calling the Library Friends Office at 217-333-5682.
• High school classes wishing to visit the Undergraduate Library and leaders of school groups and groups of school-aged children interested in touring, please contact Susan Avery, Coordinator of Instructional Services in the Undergraduate Library, 217-244-3769.
• If your request falls outside the tours listed above, please contact Lisa Hinchliffe, Coordinator of Information Literacy Services and Instruction.