Newberry Library

"This is THE MOST UNFRIENDLY LIBRARY I HAVE EVER SEEN. I just returned from a visit there. The guard bread crumbed me each and every step. First I could not bring my bad in the library. After I looked at her with disbelief she admitted that I COULD use a smaller plastic bag to put my belongings in. After another 5 minutes of cross examination she admitted that she had the approved bag that I could use. Next, my library card was out of date because I last used it in 2020. So I had to go to the "unwelcome center" to get it updated. After 15 minutes of back and forth, I finally was admitted. I just don't understand why someone who is devoid of any and all people skills who enjoys punishing random people just for having the nerve to want to do research there is there. Why? I just want to do research why do I have to be her whipping post. Ridiculous. Namaste."

"I had a wonderful day exploring their family history database. You need to become a member for free online, go to front desk to get a card, put all your items in a locker and make up your own code, go through security (I needed my computer/ charger and phone charger). Once I got up to the 2nd floor I was told to get on their wifi and go to the Newberry website and search database and I had access to all they had. I loved looking for newspaper clippings in the Chicago tribune, using FamilySearch to view/save actual Chicago birth and death records. All in all I saved/ screenshot 60 records in the 5 hours I spent there! Pro tips would be to find all the records in Family Search you want to search and have the links saved to the people you are searching. Also next time I go, I want to make an appointment with an expert to take my Chicago family history to the next level!"

"Interesting experience here. I’m a premed student and like to explore the city. Figured I’d get some studying done here and check it out. Was told I was “not allowed” to go up to use reading rooms since that’s “not what they do here”? I understand their main focus is humanities research but jeez…just wanted to do some learning on a Thursday morning in a cool old building. Have never been to a library and told essentially to kick rocks? Weird. Maybe librarian was just having a bad day."

"The library tour was very informative, check out their website for more info."

"I was there for their annual book festival. They had such a wide and great collection of books that readers would love to pick from. They also offer interesting classes throughout the year. My wife bought a few kindergarten books for my son and they absolutely love to read it everyday at home. We also took our son here for reading sessions a few times a week."