Library Calendar

Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month by exploring 50+ years of LGBTQ+ student history at the University of Illinois! This exhibit brings together photographs, posters, newspaper clippings, archival records, and artifacts that tell the story of LGBTQ+ community, culture, and activism at Illinois.

This exhibition provides some context for the writing of "Frankenstein" and examines the significant cultural impact that it has had since its publication in 1818. It also celebrates and showcases the Rare Book & Manuscript Library’s recent acquisition of a first edition copy of the novel, made possible by a generous gift from Lionelle and Jim Elsesser.

Dom Flemons, one of the country’s leading banjo scholars and performing artists, will provide a spell-binding performance discussion about America’s rich black banjo legacies to help kick off this year’s CU Folk and Roots Festival. Join us for an evening of American roots music – everything from country, folk, and bluegrass to Americana and the blues.

Join us for a hybrid brown bag at the iSchool. Special guest, Becky Calzada, a librarian featured in the film, will be present. Light refreshments will be provided.

Join us for a screening of The Librarians. Special guest, Becky Calzada, a librarian featured in the film, will be present after the screening for a fireside chat with Emily Knox, interim Dean of the School of Information Sciences (iSchool), followed by a live audience Q&A.

The Library has several locations open to welcome admitted students. Stop by to learn more about the libraries at Illinois!

Kelli Trei (B.S. Microbiology, 1999, and MLIS, 2012), Associate Professor and Biosciences Librarian, University of Illinois Library, will discuss her background in microbiology and work as liaison to the Schools of Life Sciences: Molecular & Cellular Biology (MCB) and Integrative Biology, (IB) as well as to the Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology.

October is LGBTQ+ History Month! The University of Illinois Library and the University of Illinois Pride Alumni Network co-present this LGBTQ+ History Month webinar during the week of Champaign-Urbana Pride Fest 2026. Join us for a webinar that will look back on 50 years of community, culture, and activism, both on campus and in the local community.

Did you know that October is Emotional Wellness Month? In the midst of the busy semester, take a moment for some R & R at the Library’s Mid-Way Getaway. Cozy up with fall vibes and a warm beverage, craft a felt bookmark, and get suggestions for good reads to support emotional wellbeing.

Composer Shulamit Ran will have an in-person Q and A session with Percussion Professor Josh Graham as part of the U of I New Music Festival. Shulamit was the second woman to win the Pulitzer Prize, was composer-in-residence with both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Lyric Opera of Chicago, and is Professor Emerita at the University of Chicago.

Not sure what's on your ballot? Join us for a nonpartisan workshop on finding your sample ballot, researching candidates and their positions, understanding ballot measures, and identifying trustworthy election information. Learn practical research strategies to prepare for Election Day!

The techniques for making texts have changed across multiple media and historical contexts since antiquity, but a regular feature of the work of authors and scholars through all those changes is the reliance on helpers or amanuenses. Dr. Ann Blair (Harvard) will discuss the factors that have made them both invisible and occasionally visible, and the kind of work they did.

Join us at 6 pm in room 66 of the Main Library on Wednesday, 10/28, for a screening of 90s classic, The Addams Family. FREE!

Join us for an afternoon of poetry, featuring readings and opportunities to listen, reflect, and connect through the power of verse. All are welcome to share in this celebration of poetry and the spoken word.

Mary Caruso Dailey (PhD Chemistry, 2010), Lead Product Development Specialist at 3M will discuss her research on adhesives for electronics bonding and experiences as a graduate student in Chemistry at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

This event will highlight the collaborative project involving Emblematica (U of I), a digital library of emblem books, and Compositor (U of Birmingham), a database of printers’ ornaments. Dr. Hazel Wilkinson hypothesizes that “emblem-literacy” caused historical readers to engage with ornamented books in ways previously unaccounted-for in scholarship.

Enjoy a free concert featuring the Music & Performing Arts Library’s Steinway Duo-Art Reproducing Piano! See the piano in action and learn more about the instrument and roll collection. This is an informal even and all are welcome!

Come and celebrate the semester’s end with hot apple cider, sweet and salty treats, and relaxing RBML-themed activities. Make a button, fill in a coloring sheet, collaborate on a big puzzle, and snag a fresh print of our annual holiday linocut card! This event is part of the library's Reading Day De-Stress Fest; it is open to the public and refreshments will be served.