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Who was Walter L. Newberry?
Walter L. Newberry (1804-1868) was an early Chicago businessman and city leader. Half of Newberry's estate went to the founding of the Newberry Library.
What is the Newberry Library?
The Newberry Library is an independent research library devoted to the humanities. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Newberry Library is home to a world-class collection of books, manuscripts, maps, music, and other printed materials.
Is the Newberry Library part of the Chicago Public Library System?
No, the Newberry Library is not part of the Chicago Public Library System. Founded in 1887, the Newberry Library is an independent research library devoted to the humanities. It houses a non-circulating collection of books, manuscripts, maps and other materials related to the history and culture of Western Europe and the Americas.
How is the Newberry Library funded and supported?
The Newberry Library relies on its endowment and the generous support of individuals, foundations, and corporations. The Newberry also applies for grants from a variety of sources. For more information on supporting the Newberry Library, please visit www.newberry.org/giving.
Is the Newbery Medal in children's literature awarded by the Newberry Library?
No, the Newberry Library does not award the the Newbery Medal. The Newbery Medal is named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Why is there scaffolding around the Newberry Library?
As of late February 2008, the Newberry has begun the important process of replacing the roof and gutters of the main Library structure, known as the Cobb Building. In recent months, water penetration from decaying roof materials and leaking gutters had begun to develop. The end result of the project will be a dry building, essential for preserving our collections and providing satisfactory working conditions for staff and users, and a beautiful red clay tile roof that will restore the look of the original one designed by Henry Ives Cobb in the early 1890s. This is only the fourth roof in the building's history. Since after the Second World War the roofing materials have been asphalt shingles.
The first step in the process of replacing the roof is the erection of scaffolding around the Library, with areas of protection over the entrances to the building. Removal and replacement of the existing roof and gutters will occur in stages. The project is expected to be completed by early summer 2008, depending on weather conditions.
The Newberry is taking every feasible step to minimize the impact of this essential project on the use of the Library throughout construction.
What is there to do at the Newberry Library?
There are a variety of activities and events at the Newberry Library. The Newberry offers exhibits based on its outstanding collections, musical and theatrical performances, lectures and discussions with today's leading humanists, seminars and workshops, and teacher programs. Explore your family's history, read original manuscripts, delve into 19th century periodicals, or research the history of Chicago — all at the Newberry.
Can I visit the Newberry Library?
Yes, you may visit the Newberry Library. Our lobby and exhibit gallery are open to the public on Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:15 am-5:30 pm, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:15 am-7:30 pm. For information on current exhibits, please visit www.newberry.org/exhibits/main.html.
The Newberry Library’s Reading Rooms are open to researchers Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 am-6 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 am-5 pm. The Reading Rooms are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and certain holidays.
Researchers must be at least 16 years old or juniors in high school. Before using the collections, all researchers must apply for and receive a Newberry Library Reader’s Card. Reader Cards are issued on the 3rd floor of the Library during reading room hours. Valid photo ID, proof of current home address, and a research interest that is supported by the Newberry’s collections are required for issuance of a Reader’s Card. For more information on becoming a Newberry Library Reader, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/access.html.
Can I take a tour of the Newberry Library?
Free tours of the Library are offered Thursdays at 3:00 pm and Saturdays at 10:30 am. Reservations for groups are required and may be scheduled through the Library's Office of Events. Please call (312) 255–3595 for more information.
Where is the Newberry Library? How do I get to the Newberry Library?
The Newberry Library is located at 60 West Walton Street, Chicago, IL, directly across from Chicago’s famed Washington Square Park and just a few blocks west of Michigan Avenue. The Newberry is served by a variety of bus and train routes, and there is limited street and garage parking in the area. For directions, please visit www.newberry.org/general/directions.html.
Is there parking near the Newberry Library?
The Newberry Library does not have a visitor parking lot. Limited metered parking is available on area streets. Daytime and evening parking restrictions do apply, so be sure to read the posted signs carefully. Garage parking is also available in the neighborhood.
The following garages offer discounted parking to Newberry patrons ($7 for 0-8 hours; $9 for 8-10 hours). Remember to bring your parking ticket with you so it can be validated by the Newberry security guard.
What hotels and restaurants are located in the Newberry Library neighborhood?
A list of neighborhood hotels and restaurants may be found at www.newberry.org/general/Accommodations.html.
What are the Newberry Library's hours?
The lobby and exhibit gallery are open to the public on Monday, Friday, and Saturday from 8:15 am-5:30 pm, and on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:15 am-7:30 pm. The lobby and exhibit gallery are closed on Sundays and certain holidays.
The Reading Rooms are open to researchers Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 am-6 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 am-5 pm. The Reading Rooms are closed on Sundays, Mondays, and certain holidays.
Researchers must be at least 16 years old or juniors in high school. For more information on becoming a Newberry Library Reader, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/access.html.)
Does the Newberry Library have a gift shop or bookstore?
Yes, the Newberry Library has a small gift shop and bookstore in the Lobby. The Newberry's A.C. McClurg Bookstore (affiliated with the Seminary Co-Op) specializes in books which complement the holdings of the Library. In addition, the bookstore offers a thoughtful selection of general interest titles, book-related gifts, and a wide selection of greeting cards and stationery. The bookstore is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 10 am-6 pm, and on Friday and Saturday from 9 am-5 pm. For more information on the bookstore, please visit www.newberry.org/general/bookstore.html.
How do I find out what lectures, seminars, and other events are taking place at the Newberry Library?
Please visit www.newberry.org/programs/navigate.html to find more information about the Newberry's public programs.
What exhibits are currently on display at the Newberry Library?
For information on current exhibits, please visit www.newberry.org/exhibits/main.html.
Who is eligible to do research at the Newberry Library?
The Newberry Library’s Reading Rooms are open to researchers who are at least 16 years old or juniors in high school. Before using the collections, all researchers must apply for and receive a Newberry Library Reader’s Card. Reader Cards are issued on the 3rd floor of the Library during reading room hours. Valid photo ID, proof of current home address, and a research interest that is supported by the Newberry’s collections are required for issuance of a Reader’s Card. For more information on becoming a Newberry Library Reader, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/access.html.
Do I need an appointment to do research at the Newberry Library?
Most researchers do not need to make an appointment to do research at the Newberry Library. Reference librarians are always available on the 2nd and 3rd floors, and they can help you when you visit. If, however, you are planning to use an unprocessed manuscript collection, please contact the reference department in advance of your visit.
My child needs access to some Newberry Library materials for a school project. He does not meet the Newberry's age requirements, however. How can he access the Newberry's collections?
The Newberry Library encourages researchers under the age of 16 (or younger than juniors in high school) to email or call the Reference Staff with questions. Although the Reading Rooms are not open to younger researchers, the Newberry’s email and phone reference service is available to everyone. In many cases, the Reference Staff may be able to suggest other libraries, resources, or Web sites that are appropriate to your research. Please contact us for more information.
What types of materials are held by the Newberry Library?
The Newberry Library actively collects and preserves books, manuscripts, maps, and other printed materials related to the history and culture of Western Europe and the Americas. The collections span many centuries and feature items such as illuminated medieval manuscripts, rare early maps, rich genealogical sources, historical sheet music, and the personal papers of Midwestern literary figures, Chicago politicians, and others.
Since its early years, the Newberry has focused on the humanities, which is a broad category of academic disciplines that includes history, literature, art, foreign languages and cultures, music, philosophy, and religion. Today, the Library's evolving collections include more than 1.5 million books, 5 million manuscript pages, and 500,000 historic maps.
How many books, manuscripts, and maps does the Newberry have?
The Newberry Library's collections include about 1.5 million books, 5 million manuscript pages, and 500,000 historic maps.
Can I borrow materials from the Newberry Library?
The Newberry is a non-circulating library, so materials are not loaned. Readers consult all items inside the Library. Photoduplication services are available, depending on the nature of the request and the size and condition of the item.
I work in interlibrary loan at another library, and one of our readers needs access to a work in the Newberry Library. Do you provide interlibrary loan services? How should we place our request?
The Newberry Library does not lend materials through interlibrary loan. A variety of photoduplication options are available, however, and the reference department can help you determine which option is most appropriate. Depending on the size, condition, and copyright status of the item, some photoduplication services may not be available. Please visit www.newberry.org/collections/photodup.html to learn about our photoduplication services and prices. The Newberry's ILL policy may be found at www.newberry.org/collections/reference.html#InterlibraryLoan.
The Newberry Library responds to e-mail (preferred), fax, and mail requests for interlibrary loan. Telephone requests are not accepted. Please visit www.newberry.org/collections/contactus.html for reference department contact information.
How do I find out what the Newberry has in its collections?
In order to find items at the Newberry Library, you need to search our online catalog. The online catalog includes the majority of the Library's collections.
There are some materials that are not included in the online catalog. For example, most city directories are not included. Instead, these are listed on our web site (www.newberry.org/genealogy/dirholdings.html).
The Newberry Library holds an estimated 500,000 maps issued separately and in atlases and books. Not all of these cartographic resources are listed in the online catalog. More than 50,000 records for maps, atlases, and literature on the history of cartography are available through the Newberry Library Cartographic Catalog (www.biblioserver.com/newberry).
Manuscripts are under-represented in the online catalog, having been traditionally described with paper finding aids and checklists. To explore the manuscript collections, please consult the online catalog and the Newberry's Manuscripts and Archives page. Some of the Newberry Library's modern manuscript collections (1700-present) are included in ArchiveGrid (available in the Newberry Library), in the free and subscription versions of WorldCat, and in the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections (NUCMC).
Please contact us if you have any questions about using the catalogs.
How do I obtain help from the Newberry Library reference librarians?
The Newberry Library welcomes reference inquiries by mail, e-mail, and telephone. Please keep telephone inquiries brief. For lengthy or detailed questions, please contact us via mail or e-mail. Written inquiries are answered in the order in which they are received. Responses take an average of 3-5 weeks, depending on the number of requests pending and the nature of the request. We regret that we are unable to conduct extensive research on your behalf. We look forward to hearing from you!
Reference Department Mailing Address
Newberry Library
Reference Department
60 West Walton Street
Chicago, Il 60610
General Reference Questions
Phone: (312) 255-3506 (brief questions)
Email: reference@newberry.org (detailed questions)
www.newberry.org/collections/researchers.htmlLocal and Family History Reference Questions
Phone: (312) 255-3512 (brief questions)
Email: genealogy@newberry.org (detailed questions)
www.newberry.org/genealogy/collections.html
Are there restrictions on the types of items I can bring into the Library?
Please store the following items in the cloakroom lockers on the first floor: outer garments, umbrellas, newspapers, food/beverages, cameras, scanners, briefcases, book bags, backpacks, large handbags, laptop bags, scotch tape, glue, and scissors. For more information on the Newberry's security and conservation rules, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/security.html.
May I bring in my laptop computer?
Yes, you may bring in a laptop computer. Laptop bags or cases must be stored in the cloakroom lockers on the first floor.
May I bring in my cell phone?
Yes, you may bring in your cell phone. However, in order to avoid disturbing others, please turn off or "silence" all cell phones, pagers, and other messaging devices in the Newberry's reading rooms. If you must receive or initiate a call while you are at the library, please leave the reading room and quietly conduct your phone conversation in the hallway. Cell phone cameras may not be used in the exhibit areas or reading rooms.
May I bring in a camera or scanner?
Personal digital cameras are allowed in the reading rooms, subject to certain rules and conditions. For more information on our reading room camera policy, please see www.newberry.org/collections/camerapolicy.html.
Scanners and other photoduplication equipment are not allowed in the reading rooms.
Where does the Newberry Library store its materials?
Most of the Newberry's materials are stored in a 10-story bookstack building adjacent to the main Library building. For more information on the construction and conditions of the Newberry Library's bookstack building, please visit the Conservation Department's page.
Can I go into the stacks to browse the shelves or retrieve items?
The bookstacks are not open for browsing. Upon request, staff members will retrieve specific items from the stacks building, and deliver them to readers in the reading rooms.
Some commonly-used items are stored on the "open shelves" in the reading rooms and reference center. Readers may browse the open shelves and remove items from the shelves as needed.
How do I request items from the stacks?
After identifying relevant items in the catalogs, Newberry Library readers use yellow call slips to request materials from the bookstack building. All call slips must be submitted in person between 10 am and 5:15 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and between 9 am and 4:00 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Call slips for General Collections items should be submitted to the 2nd floor reading room. Call slips for Special Collections items should be submitted to the 4th floor reading room. Delivery time ranges from 10-20 minutes, depending on the number of other requests pending. We regret that we cannot accept requests in advance of your visit.
Can I set aside materials to use for more than one day?
Each reading room can hold items on reserve for you for up to two weeks. Please talk to the Reading Room staff if you would like to continue to look at materials upon your next visit.
Can I make photocopies of Newberry Library items?
There are no self-service copy machines in the Library. Staff members make all photocopies. Self-service microfilm printers ($.50/page) are available on the 2nd floor. For more information on photoduplication services, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/photodup.html.
What online resources are available to researchers at the Newberry Library?
A list of online resources may be found at www.newberry.org/collections/online.html. Note: Some of these resources are only available within the Newberry's network.
I need copies from an item in the Newberry's collections. How do I place my photocopy request?
Photocopy requests must be made in person or in writing; orders cannot be taken over the phone. Depending on the size, age, and condition of the item, certain photoduplication services may not be available. Detailed cost and delivery time information is available at www.newberry.org/collections/photodup.html.
I need permission from the Newberry to publish a particular image. How do I place my request for permission?
For information on permission requests, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/photodup.html#permission.
I understand that parchment or vellum materials require special handling, and are not always available for viewing. Why is this the case?
Although it is a strong material, parchment (or vellum) needs to be stored and handled with care. Parchment is a skin and made under tension. It is exceptionally sensitive to changes in humidity and temperature. Any change in humidity can cause dramatic warping of the skin. Parchment begins to shrink (from lower humidity) or expand (with higher humidity). When this movement occurs, any media applied to the surface of that parchment (ink, pigment, gold leaf, etc.) might shift, crack, flake, and come loose from the parchment. So it is the actual manuscript—the ink and paint—that can suffer huge losses. Bits of paint and ink in the gutters show obvious loss. But before this damage becomes visible to the naked eye, it may be significant and only visible under a microscope.
The concern about parchment includes items that are bound in parchment. The expansion and contraction of the skin also causes heavy stress to antique bindings.
The Reading Room Staff will request that parchment materials be viewed only in the Special Collections Reading Rooms and Room 401. These are the only public rooms that have properly regulated temperature and humidity levels for parchment and are kept as consistent as possible with the optimum storage conditions of the Newberry Stacks. Occasionally the conditions are not met in the Special Collections Reading Rooms or Room 401. During this “no vellum” period, parchment is not paged until stable conditions return.
I understand that the Newberry has possibly the earliest surviving manuscript copy of the Quiché Mayan creation account, the Popol Vuh. What can you tell me about it? May I see it?
Due to an important conservation and digitization project to make the manuscript more widely available to the public, the Popol Vuh will be unavailable for study until late 2008.
A digital version of the Popol Vuh is available on the Ohio State University web site: library.osu.edu/sites/popolwuj/. In addition, BYU's Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Texts (formerly the Institute for the Study and Preservation of Ancient Religious Texts) produced a DVD-ROM of the Popol-Vuh. This DVD is available for use in the 3rd floor reference area. It is also for sale in the Newberry Bookstore. To learn more about the Newberry Library's copy of the Popol Vuh, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/PopolVuh.html.
What fellowships are available through the Newberry Library? How do I apply?
For information on available fellowships and the application processes, please visit www.newberry.org/research/felshp/fellowshome.html.
In order to complete my library school application, I need to interview a librarian and write a summary of the interview. Can I arrange this interview with a Newberry librarian?
Newberry librarians are happy to participate in library school application interviews as time allows. Please contact us by email (reference@newberry.org) early in your application process. Some interview requests cannot be accommodated due to departmental schedules, vacations, and the day-to-day work of the Library.
One of my library school classes requires that I meet with a librarian and then observe him/her on the reference desk. Can I arrange such a visit with a Newberry librarian?
Newberry librarians are happy to participate in reference observation assignments as time allows. Please contact us by email (reference@newberry.org) early in the semester. Some observation requests cannot be accommodated due to departmental schedules, vacations, and the day-to-day work of the Library.
How do I make a contribution to the Newberry Library?
Please visit www.newberry.org/giving/index.html to make a contribution. We appreciate your support!
How should I care for my personal collections of books and manuscripts?
The Newberry occasionally offers courses in preservation through
the seminars program. You can also call the Public Programs Office for
more information at (312) 255-3700. The Library of Congress offers useful information on preservation: www.loc.gov/preserv/familytreasures/index.html. The Northeast Document Conservation Center also provides helpful information: www.nedcc.org/resources/resources.php. The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) includes a wealth of preservation-related information on their web site: www.preservation.gc.ca/howto/grid_e.asp. A list of private conservators is available at www.newberry.org/collections/conservators.html.
Can the Newberry Library tell me how much my book is worth?
As a library, we are not permitted to appraise materials. However, we can refer you to some sources where you may be able to learn some more about the item or its value. The value of a book depends on many things, including its scarcity or rarity, its condition and its place of importance in history. For more information on where to find information about your book's value, as well as a list of Chicago-area appraisers, please visit www.newberry.org/collections/appraisers.html.
I'm interested in renting a room at the Newberry Library for an event. How do I find out more information about event rentals?
Rental information is available at www.newberry.org/general/rentcontent.html . Please contact the Events Office at (312) 255-3595 for additional information.