John Phillip Sousa Library and Museum

John Phillip Sousa's personal band music library, willed to the University of Illinois, is on display along with period band uniforms and musical instruments. Relive a time forgotten, when the sounds of marching band music filled a town on a lazy Sunday afternoon, when you step into this museum homoring a true "music man." FREE

CITY: Champaign

Cairo Public Library

Museum quality working library of Queen Anne, Architecture on two floors built in 1884.

CITY: Cairo

University of Illinois Library

The largest public university library in the world and the third largest academic library in North America. Self guided audio tours may be checked out at the Information Desk in the Main Library.

CITY: Urbana

Vespasian Warner Public Library

Research materials of the DeWitt County Genealogical Society are housed here, as well as revolving exhibits of the Lincoln Heritage committee of DeWitt County. Historical programs and presentations occur throughout the year.

CITY: Clinton

Eureka College

Founded in 1855 by abolitionists, this historic and scenic campus boasts buildings on the historic register, including the Reagan Peace Garden and Museum.

CITY: Eureka

Joliet Public Library

Attraction

CITY: Joliet

Eastern Illinois University

This campus consists of 316 acres. German Gothic architecture of Old Main towers above the campus.

CITY: Charleston

Carnegie Public Library

This historic 1904 building houses one of the most complete genealogy departments in the area.

CITY: Litchfield

Skokie Public Library

You don't need a library card to visit this Sixteen Candles location and soak up a little 80's nostalgia.

CITY: Skokie

Barrington Area Library

This full-service library presents a variety of arts events throughout the year.

CITY: Barrington

Albion Public Library

Established in 1819, the oldest public library in Illinois houses many original books brought here by English settlers.

CITY: Albion

Prairie Creek Library

The library was originally built in 1896 as a carriage house, and later transformed into a treatment and recreation building for the Keeley Institute, a well-known alcohol rehab center in the late 1800s.

CITY: Dwight

Genealogical Research Library

Research early history, marriages, cemetery and census records, and family books, all pertaining to Ogle County.

CITY: Holcomb

Lincoln Public Library

A Carnegie library, built in 1902, the Lincoln Public Library is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CITY: Lincoln

Andrew Carnegie Library - The Arcola Public Library

An original Andrew Carnegie built in 1905. The library boasts all of its original classic revival architecture and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

CITY: Arcola

Lawrence Memorial Library/Mata Simpson Resource Center

In 1905 Frank Lloyd Wright designed the interior of this school library which has been restore to its original luster.

CITY: Springfield

Clark County Genealogical Library

You'll find census records, newspaper clippings, birth and marriage records, and other files of interest helpful to geneological research.

CITY: Marshall

Aurora University

This university boasts a beautiful quad, and features the Schingoethe Center and Dunham Gallery of student art.

CITY: Aurora

Kirkland Galleries

Three galleries on the Millikin University Campus feature changing one-artist exhibits during the academic year. The Perkinson Gallery hosts a wide range of exhibitions that focus on work by professional artists from Illinois and the Midwest, in addition to work by artists with national recognition. The gallery has 2,000 square feet of floor space, with 132 linear feet of wall space. Patrons may view the displayed work for free, Monday through Friday from noon to 5 pm. The Lower Gallery focuses on photographic works. Student artists display their works in the Studio Gallery. The Lower and Studio Galleries are open Monday-Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday from 10 am to 1 pm Free admission.

CITY: Decatur

Decatur Public Library Art Gallery

The Second Floor Gallery, in partnership with Gallery 510, showcases local and regional artwork year-round. Frequently local and national traveling exhibits are displayed. In conjunction with the featured exhibits, the library presents topic-specific programs and events. The gallery is open Monday-Thursday 9am-9pm; Friday-Saturday: 9am-5:30pm; Sunday: 1pm-5pm (Sept-May). Admission to the gallery is free and the public is welcome to all programs and events.

CITY: Decatur

Edgar County Genealogical Library

Trace your Edgar County roots at this library that has genealogical tools, manuscripts, books, filmed records, micro-fiche, and computerized data based on Edgar County families.

CITY: Paris

Carnegie Schuyler Library

A full-service library, the Carnegie still contains the original furniture, interior decor and double stairway that was designed and built in 1913 from funds donated by Andrew Carnegie.

CITY: Pana

Marion Carnegie Library

One of the few remaining Carnegie buildings is seated at the center of Williamson County. Originally built in 1916 and renovated in 1997, the library has the flavor of the early 20th century with the technology of today.

CITY: Marion

Winnetka Historical Museum

The growth and history of Winnetka since 1830 is chronicled in this museum, which includes the Carlton Washburne Library.

CITY: Winnetka

Mary Smith Fay Genealogy Library

Located in downtown Carmi, this extensive library and museum offers history and research services.

CITY: Carmi

Illinois Central College

Offers a variety of speakers specializing in a diverse field of topics for nonprofit organizations. Campus tours available. Professional Development Institute offers seminars and workshops in the areas of computers, health, management and special interests (can be customized).

CITY: East Peoria

Princeton Public Library

Princeton's Library contains an outstanding collection of Bureau County genalogical referencematerial including history books, census and cemetery records, indexed newspaper, city directories, atlases, and family histories. New location and building at 698 East Peru Street.

CITY: Princeton

McCoy House Memorial Library

This majestic four-story Victorian home, built in 1884 by banker A.G. Cloud, sits next to the old bank of similar architectural style. The house is now a memorial library and museum decorated with beautiful furnishings and paintings.

CITY: McLeansboro

Decatur Public Library

Books (of course), videos, dvds, cds, local history room, computers, classes, art gallery, kids place

CITY: Decatur

NIU Art Museum

The NIU Art Museum presents rotating exhibitions from the university collections, thematic contemporary exhibitions of the work of regional and national artists, and nationally traveling exhibitions.

CITY: DeKalb

Bradley University

Bradley University is an independent, privately endowed, coeducational institution. With an enrollment of approximately 6,000 students, Bradley University is the ideal size for living and learning. The University offers a full range of baccalaureate and graduate level programs as well as personal attention, from a faculty dedicated to student learning.

CITY: Peoria

Pioneer Sholes School

Restored, One-room schoolhouse serves as living museum. Open June to early September. Groups welcome by appointment. They actually sit at desks in the one room schoolhouse while a docent explains how teaching was done in 1872. They also participate in playing the games the students played during their recess periods.

CITY: St. Charles

Herrin City Library

This local library features the Herrin History Room.

CITY: Herrin

Chicago Public Library - Harold Washington Library Center

The Chicago Public Library's Harold Washington Library Center, the world's largest municipal library building, offers books, periodicals, newspapers, and information in over 100 languages, programs for children and adults, and free access to the internet.

CITY: Chicago

Northwestern University

Founded in 1851, Northwestern University is a renowned educational institution rich in history and architecture. More than 150 historically significant and interesting sites on campus are featured in various walking tours, each taking approximately 30 minutes to complete. University highlights include The Arch, University Hall, The Arts Circle, and the University Library. Northwestern is one of the leading university's in the U.S. Its Evanston campus is on the shores of beautiful Lake Michigan.

CITY: Chicago

Hayner Genealogy & Local History Library

The Hayner Public Library District provides a variety of genealogy-related services to support research efforts. Information from various states in addition to Illinois and other countries is available. The digitized newspaper collection is a wonderful resource of The Hayner Public Library District for genealogy research. The collection includes the Alton Telegraph Archives dating as far back as 1836 and access NEWSPAPER ARCHIVE to locate newspaper articles in other parts of the country.

CITY: Alton