Our regular semester hours are 9am-12pm and 1-5pm, Monday-Friday. Over semester breaks and the summer we are open 1-5pm, Monday-Friday. Please see the daily hours posted on this page for any exceptions, and note that the library is also closed on University Holidays. You are welcome to reach out over email at ihlc@library.illinois.edu to let us know in advance of your visit, but this is not required.

Submitting a request for materials

All researchers will need to register an account through our Special Collections Request System, Aeon.  Once a patron has located the collection material they wish to examine through the library catalog or manuscript collections database, please select “Request for use” or “Submit request”. Researchers will receive an email confirmation once their items are on hold.

For more information on requesting materials, visit our help page.

Coming for research

The IHLC is located on the third floor of the Main Library, room 324.  We are located near the north side of the building, around the corner from the Rare Book & Manuscript Library (RBML).

When you arrive, please place any bags, coats, food, drink, etc. in a locker either across from the IHLC or in the hallway to RBML. If you have any trouble, please let us know.

All materials in the IHLC are non-circulating and can only be used in our reading room (with the exception of microfilm reels). We also have some additional procedures designed to help ensure the enduring preservation of our holdings. Please see our Reading Room Procedures for more information.

When you are done for the day, please let us know if you would like us to keep the materials on hold for you to return for another appointment later or if you are finished and the materials can be put back.