University Library at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

05/26/2026

Exciting updates are underway in the Main Library! The Bronze Tablets are being reorganized into chronological order, making it simpler to find and recognize the names of distinguished students across the years.

Even better, we’re creating space for future honorees—something we’re always happy to celebrate.

https://library.illinois.edu/news/reorganization-of-the-bronze-tablets/

05/15/2026

Sometimes a personal journey can create a lasting legacy.

After years of exploring family history, one Library Friend turned a passion for genealogy into an endowment—ensuring future researchers can uncover their own stories through the Library’s collections and resources.

See how one discovery became a gift for generations:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/friends/gifts-at-work/genealogy-journey-leads-to-endowment/

05/13/2026

"Parthenon at Illinois" is a new digital humanities project that combines historic artifacts and cutting-edge technologies. Illinois librarians are collaborating across campus to engage with cultural heritage collections in new ways.

Learn more:
publish.illinois.edu/library-excellence/2026/05/08/parthenon-at-illinois-digital-humanities-project-launches-with-support-from-the-campus-research-board/

05/12/2026

Our amazing IDEA Lab at Grainger Engineering Library is open to all majors. Check out (literally!) loanable technology, including virtual reality headsets and drawing tablets. There are makerspace 3D printing resources and gaming consoles (like Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PlayStation) in the Lab too!

Students often spend time in Grainger Engineering Library cramming for exams and finishing homework. But tucked in the corner of Grainger’s basement is the Innovation and Design in Engineering and the Arts Lab — a space for creation, teamwork and fun. Despite the name, the IDEA Lab is open to al...

05/08/2026

“When life happens, the Library makes it a little better” 🥹

It’s officially finals week, Illini! Come by the University Library to level up your study experience and prepare for your exams! We’ve got your back🤓📚

And a special shoutout to all of our students, faculty, and colleagues for an amazing year! There is so much to love about the library and our Illinois community 🧡💙

05/08/2026

Construction is progressing steadily on the new Archives and Special Collections Building, with the project now about one-third complete. Read more: https://www.library.illinois.edu/specialcollectionsbuilding/2026/04/24/construction-at-35-completion-and-opening-date-announced/

Below: North vault on the lower level

05/05/2026

When access to reading is at risk, the Library steps in.

After losing much of her vision, one Illinois professor found a lifeline through the Library—where staff made sure she could continue to read, teach, and do her work. As she shared, “they made it so that I could read.”

Read her story and see the impact of Library staff in action:
https://www.library.illinois.edu/friends/news-and-events/they-made-it-so-i-could-read/

05/01/2026

De-Stress Fest is SO fetch!!😌🙌

Calling all Students! Need to de-stress from finals? Come stop by De-Stress Fest on May 7th at Main, Grainger, Funk, or MPAL to do just that!🧘‍♀️🧘‍♂️

The event will have animal friends, activities, snacks, and resources to help push you to the finish line!🧡💙🏁

Come stop by on May 7th to any of these locations or visit go.illinois.edu/DeStress26 to learn more! 🔎

04/30/2026

A collaborative project between Illinois architecture students and the Ricker Library of Architecture and Art will add models, drawings, and other information to the library’s materials collection and show how the library’s resources can help with studio projects.

https://news.illinois.edu/architecture-students-create-models-drawings-for-exhibit-materials-collection-of-ricker-library

04/29/2026

"The use of AI on college campuses is complicated, to say the least. There are a variety of different factors to consider based on the field of inquiry in addition to a user’s own ethical questions about using such tech. In this interview, [Digital Humanities Librarian Mary Ton talks] about how she uses AI in her work, how she sees it being used on campus, and where the technology falls short."

Mary Ton is an assistant professor and digital humanities librarian at the University of Illinois. In her own research and her role as a digital humanities librarian, she works with artificial…