5. Libraries of Champaign Urbana

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There are two library systems in Champaign-Urbana ... one associated with the University of Illinois, and the other associated with the public library systems.

• UofI library: Part of many other academic libraries in Illinois
• Lincoln Trail Library System: the public libraries of the cities of Champaign and Urbana

U of I library: This is the academic library system. The University of Illinois has the largest public university in the United States, and it has more than 10 million items in its collection. The library is scattered throughout the U of I campus, with the two largest locations being the main library at Armory & Wright in Champaign , and the Grainger Engineering Library on Springfield avenue, Urbana (between Wright and Matthews). Subscribers (U of I students, staff, faculty, and also UniHigh students) can also get books from many other libraries in the I-Share alliance.


Lincoln Trail Library System: This is an alliance of the public libraries in the region.

• Champaign Public Library is located on Randolph St between Green and Springfield. It just moved into a new building in 2008, and the new state-of-the-art building is one of the largest and spectacular library buildings in the area. It has cool features such as automated check-out of books, spacious reading rooms, and on-site cafes.




• The Urbana Free Library is located at the corner of Green and Race in Urbana. It is more than 150 years old, and is a very nice, quiet, and fun place to study. It also has in its collection the historical records of the county.

People who are members of either of these two libraries can borrow books from the other one, and also from 20+ public libraries in the region. There are also videos (VHS and DVD), audiobooks and CDs. Membership is free and open for all area residents.