Illinois State Library

Meeting Rooms

The Illinois State Library welcomes use of its meeting facilities in keeping with the Library’s mission of promoting excellence in information access and innovative services for government, libraries and people. Meeting rooms are provided free of charge during regular library hours for non-profit organizations and government agencies. Only the Library's atrium may be used after regular library hours Monday through Friday.

Reservations are accepted on a first come, first served basis, and must be made through the Secretary of State's Department of Physical Services. Any person requiring special accommodations should contact the State Library at (217) 782-2994.

• Location and Hours of State Library
• Reservations
• Cancellations
• Room Information
• Amenities
• Internet Access
• Parking
• Reservation and Meeting Room Guidelines
• Special Events Form

Location and Hours of Operation

Illinois State Library
Gwendolyn Brooks Building
300 S. 2nd Street
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1796
Telephone: (217) 785-5600

The Illinois State Library is located across the street from the historic Illinois State Capitol, and is within easy walking distance of downtown Springfield. The State Library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays. View our Visitor's Guide for driving directions and additional information for visiting the State Library.

Public access to the State Library is through the first floor north door only (Monroe Street entrance). Doors on the west and south side of the building are locked at all times unless arrangements are made with the Department of Physical Services. All persons entering the building through the Monroe Street entrance are required to walk through a metal detector, and have bags and other personal items passed through an x-ray machine.

Reservations

To reserve a meeting room in the Illinois State Library, a Special Events Form must be completed and submitted to the Department of Physical Services, Special Events Division. This form must be completed and returned to the address below at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting or event to be scheduled. After the request is received and reviewed by the Special Events staff, a confirmation letter from the Director of the Department of Physical Services will be mailed to the meeting contact person.

Illinois Office of the Secretary of State
Department of Special Events, Special Events Division
Michael J. Howlett Building
Room 309
Springfield, Illinois 62756
Telephone: (217) 782-8495
Fax: (217) 524-7754

Please note that official meetings and events scheduled for the benefit of the State Library, the Secretary of State's Office, and other offices or agencies of state government take precedence in the assignment of Illinois State Library meeting rooms. Meeting rooms in the Illinois State Library are made available for other state government and non-government functions on a first come, first served basis. Meeting rooms are not available for social purposes, entertainment, or fund-raising. View complete reservation and meeting room guidelines.

Cancellations

If possible, notice of cancellation should be made at least 24 hours in advance. To cancel a room reservation, please call (217) 782-8996.

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Room Information

Illinois Authors Room
The Illinois Authors Room is located on the south end of the State Library's first floor, and houses a collection of works by Illinois authors. The Illinois Authors meeting room is set up in a permanent conference style (hollow square) with a capacity for 20 people.

Rooms 403/404
Combined, rooms 403 and 404 offer a spacious meeting space on the south end of the State Library's fourth floor that can accommodate 40-100 people depending on seating arrangements and other variables. Rooms 403/404 can be set up in a variety of styles including classroom (50 people), conference (45 people), and theater (100 people). The rooms may also be partitioned to allow for smaller meeting groups.

Room 403 is equipped with a Windows-based computer, ceiling-mounted LCD projector and projection screen. Users may connect personal laptops to the projection equipment in this room. Questions pertaining to the use of the computer and projection equipment in Room 403 may directed to Lynda Maddox of the Illinois State Library at (217) 524-0044.

State Library Atrium
The State Library's atrium reaches the entire height of the building, ending with a fluted ceiling more than 80 feet above the marble floor. The atrium has a maximum capacity of 200 people, and is only available after regular library hours Monday through Friday.

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Amenities

Fully accessible restrooms are available on the north end of each floor of the library near the elevators. A soft drink vending machine is available to meeting and conference participants in the fourth floor galley, which is located in the entrance of Room 404. Galley kitchens equipped with sinks and refrigerators are available in the Illinois Authors Room and Rooms 403/404. Catering arrangements are the responsibility of the user.

Internet Access

High-speed Intenet access is available in all meeting rooms via a LAN-based connection, or through wireless Internet access (WiFi). In order to use WiFi at the Illinois State Library, your laptop will need to have built-in WiFi or you will need to install a WiFi network adapter. The Illinois State Library does not provide wireless adapters. You may view answers to frequently asked questions about WiFi access at the State Library.

Parking

Metered parking is available on most downtown streets, including on Monroe Street and Capitol Avenue. A municipal parking facility is located at Fourth Street and Capitol Avenue, approximately one block from the Library. Limited free parking is also available at the Capitol Complex Visitors Center located at 425 South College Street. The State Library has three free handicapped spaces available.

A printable map of the Capitol Complex and downtown Springfield is available from the Springfield Illinois Convention & Visitors Bureau. View our Visitor's Guide for driving directions and additional information for visiting the State Library.

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