Genealogical societies, historical societies, libraries, and other related groups are encouraged to arrange group visits to the Newberry to use the Genealogy and Local History collection. The following guidelines are designed to help your group prepare for a productive visit to the Newberry, one of the premier sites for genealogical research in the country.

Scheduling Your Visit

Due to limited space and microform equipment, the maximum group size is 25 people. To best prepare for and serve your group, and to avoid multiple bookings of groups, we ask that you contact the Newberry as soon as you begin to plan your visit. A two-week notice is required, and a four-week notice is recommended. To schedule a visit, fill out the Group Visit Request Form.

When scheduling your visit, you may choose from the following options for your group.

Lecture, “Genealogical Research at the Newberry Library”: To start your visit, a Genealogy and Local History staff member will welcome your group and present a 45-minute lecture and question/answer session before registering for reader’s cards. This lecture is subject to staff availability; group visit and/or other fees may apply. Staff members may also be available to present this lecture or others to groups in the area.

Independent Group Research: Experienced research groups can proceed on their own directly to the third floor to register for reader’s cards and then to the General Reading Room to begin their research. Advance notice of groups greater than 10 people is required and is subject to staff availability. This is to ensure that adequate reference assistance is available.

Other requests will be accommodated when possible.

Preparing for Your Visit

We encourage all members of your group to explore the Newberry’s website before visiting. Pay special attention to the following areas:

• Reading Room Procedures: answers to frequently asked questions such as what items are allowed in the reading rooms and how to obtain a reader’s card
• Genealogy Collection Guides and Research Tools: short guides arranged by state, ethnic group, record type
• Upcoming Genealogy Programs
• Core Collections and Online Catalog: descriptions of non-genealogy collections and access to the Newberry’s online catalog

For group members who do not have Internet access, a packet of handouts can be mailed to the group’s leader. Ask for these information packets when scheduling a visit.

Day of Your Visit

All group members who do not already have valid Newberry reader’s cards will need to register. The Newberry Library does not charge researchers. At registration, you will be asked if you would like to make a voluntary donation. Throughout the day, assistance is available to all group members both on the third floor at the general Reference Desk and on the second floor at the Genealogy Reference Desk. There is a readers’ lounge on the first floor with tables and vending machines (coffee, soft drinks, chips, candy). Visitors who bring a lunch will need to store it in a locker on the first floor. Lockers cost a quarter, which is returned after use. See Accommodations and Dining for a list of local restaurants.

Further questions? Contact Matt Rutherford at (312) 255-3671 or rutherfordm@newberry.org.