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Newberry Library
Rating Details »
Categories: Libraries, Venues & Event Spaces [Edit]
Neighborhood: Near North Side60 W Walton St
(between Clark St & Dearborn St)
Chicago, IL 60610
(312) 943-9090
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30 reviews for Newberry Library
I just realized it's milestone review time, so I thought I'd focus on a great place for this one.
I've been many times since I grew up nearby. My most recent exposure was several months ago - I landed a private tour of the "Artifacts of Childhood: 700 Years of Children's Books" exhibit, by the co-curator, Jenny Schwartzberg. The exhibit, like many at Newberry, was multi-disciplinary - a history of education, a glimpse into attitudes towards the psychology of children throughout the ages, and it featured great religious and international pieces. Breathtaking illustrations. Even a book written by a young girl. Fabulous.
I'm a Sara Paretsky fan, and I learned that Newberry houses her original papers. I hope Jenny wont mind me taking advantage - I'd love to see them.
Not only is the place unparalleled from a collections standpoint, it's drop dead gorgeous.
I just love it.
My affection for this place begins with its beautiful architecture and unbelievable collection of books, cartography etc, but really it's the people that you run into here that make the place. The librarians and people who work behind the scenes are all so lovely and nice. I've just come to Chicago for this place. Okay, maybe I came for other reasons too, but this library is golden. I love, love it. Go here and be intellectually stimulated.
I wasn't wearing a stoll, nor was I chauffeured, but I felt like a starlet traipsing toward the grand dame of libraries, Ms. Newberry. In my mind, it's a she. . . and she's breathtaking from afar and a sight to be seen once inside her hallowed halls.
I tucked in here on a rainy day for my Food Writing 101 class, eager to meet burgeoning critics, former chefs and trained writers on common ground: a love of words, and a gourmand quest.
The Newberry immediately makes you hush and look up, at the big arches and sconces; the chandeliers made of iron and lights glowing like embers. It's just a very, very special place to hunker and turn pages as though you're clicking over train tracks, slowly moving away from reality. Stories really take flight at the Newberry.
As I was leaving, the staff was placing votives along the marble shelves. I can think of nothing more exquisite than a regal wedding, complete with a cathedral train and tails, starting and ending in the grand entry way. Simply and positively picturesque.
I really should go here more often....
Well, I used to go when they would take out some of the "relics" out of the vaults. I went two different times when they had illuminated manuscripts on display. "On display" means younger, more resilient, manuscripts were on a large table for viewers to peruse and older, medieval era, manuscripts were on period pedestals manned by white gloved page turners. So pretty much you could look through EVERYTHING....which is what I did, exactly, on both visits. I would have taken the white glove off and slapped me if I was one of those page turners. Well, anyway, you should go. Become a member too. Support really old books that were written in Gold. And also, figure out where your family is from all the way back to caveman days.
Private library
Green carpet, smelly old books
Whoa, card catalogs?!
The library made me want to write a haiku. My friend and I needed a quieter place to study from our review books other than a coffeeshop or a Barnes/Borders in the Gold Coast. Unfortunately, because it's a private library, you need an association to the library in order to study/research here (i.e., humanities). So we had to go through a check-in (must leave bags in lockers) and a sign-up process for a 1-day pass to the Reading Room. If we had a real intent to be there (i.e., read Latin books), we could get a 1-year pass. Not the place for what we needed. We took a lunch break and decided not to come back because of the hassle of having to put our bags back in the lockers and flashing our 1-day pass.
Was here for the Yelp fashion show too and was able to see a different section of the library. Although Newberry Libarary is extremely pretty (what old libraries aren't?), it doesn't quite serve our purpose.
After passing Newberry numerous times & having no reason to go in, I was very happy to have an excuse last night!
My friend & co-worker had a baroque harpsichord, cello, and violin performance last night that was fabulous. I was blown away with the level of talent each musician had, but was also so excited to be in such a beautiful building hearing such lovely music. The Ruggles Room had just the right acoustic for such an intimate performance & I could not have been more pleased.
I will definitely be back to hear more music & revel in the historic, beautiful building that is the Newberry Library.
I attended a wedding at the Newberry Library last weekend and it was beautiful! The space is truly incredible. Definitely worth a consideration if you're looking for a unique venue. The bride walked down the staircase in the main lobby (?) and it was stunning.
Can't give it 5-stars since I've never actually used it as a library (or been in large portions of it), but wow what a venue...
So far, so good - we booked the Newberry Library for our wedding in July 2010, and our experience so far has been wonderful. It is true that the Karens are easy to work with and are very responsive. The space is absolutely beautiful - for someone with very classic and elegant taste, I can't think of anywhere else in downtown Chicago that is more perfect for a wedding reception. Ruggles Hall is so beautiful that you just don't need much to make the space reception-worthy - we met with a lighting person a couple of weeks ago and saw the space again, and we ended up not booking because the space is so beautiful all on its own.
I have booked my wedding for April 2010 long distance from California! I booked this location site unseen but had my parents take the photos that I have posted. Since that time, I have seen this lovely place in person. It is the perfect institutional charm that represents Chicago to me, and I'm honored that so many scholars have used this location for research as well.
Hopefully my photos will help other brides. I have been extremely pleased with the calmness and quick response of the two Karens. The chairs and tables that come with the location are great. Included in the price is a parking lot for 35 cars, set up beginning at 3:30pm until midnight (!), a security guard, a coat check, and a room upstairs to relax before heading downstairs. Cocktails can be served in the foyer. The slidescreen that descends electrically from the ceiling (ceiling mounted projector) is the largest we have ever seen. They also bring you up a back elevator (bride/groom/bridal party) so you can be introduced and not run into your guests. The DJ and caterers have a separate elevator and area to stage the food, etc. Overall I highly recommend this venue!
It has rooms full of books? FIVE STARS!!!!
Clearly, I'm not very picky when it comes to libraries, but damn, this is one of the most beautiful libraries I've ever been to. I don't necessarily need a dramatic staircase to take me up to the books but I'm happy to waltz up and down it Scarlett O'hara style.
The events hall is gorgeous and every single person I encountered at the library, from the front door security staff, to the event planners, to the sound technicians were friendly and competent.
If I lived in Chicago you would probably find me here all the time!
Went here for a special event, and it was a nice venue.
Applied for a job here, and was IGNORED. Boo. Bad manners, Newberry, bad manners.
So I've never actually been to the library section of Newberry Library, but while checking out their ballroom today I realized that it's about time I check it out! Unfortunately, the library section was closed today (closed on Mondays) but I'll be back!
But on to the Newberry Library as an event venue, which many yelpers seem to be a fan of (based on the other reviews). And there's a reason there are so many fans- this room is absolutely GORGEOUS! The room just screams elegance without being too stuff and it's the type of room that would really work with any type of flowers or other decoration.
A member of the staff (a very helpful man by the name of Lonnie) gave me a folder with pricing...and it was much more reasonable than I expected. It seems like it's about $5000 to rent the room and then you can use any caterer you want (very nice since many of these venues seem to place restrictions on caterers). Based on my own wedding venue search in South Florida this place seems like a deal...and best of all it's in a prime downtown Chicago location!
As far as space I believe the large ballroom can hold 200 for a seated reception and 300 for a cocktail reception.
One of my fiance's friends is getting married here in just a few weeks so I'm super excited now to see how beautiful the room is when it's all done up. Stay tuned for more on Newberry Library after that wedding...and then even more when I finally make it to the actual library!
Edit 11/17/07:
Attended a wedding here last night and it was so gorgeous! They had the ceremony in the very historic looking lobby so the bride walked down the stairs...loved it! And Ruggles Hall was even prettier all decorated!
Please understand two things:
Firstly, this is not a part of the Chicago Public Library system, so don't go here looking for Ann Coulter audio books for your long drive to Branson, Missouri, and don't expect to return that DVD that you're too embarrassed to return to your neighborhood branch.
Secondly, credit is due to those reviewers that point out that it is more than a venue for weddings, bar mitzvahs and the occasional gathering of fat cat bankers who like caviar and milky liqueurs. It's a research library, and a great space to sit, for free, and read.
I have had the opportunity to visit this place twice now. The first time was for a corporate holiday party and once for a Yelp event.
I have taken the Clark street bus past this place many times and i have always admired it from the outside. Now that I have had the chance to get inside of here I want to check it out during normal business hours. This is a beautiful building that can accommodate a good deal of people. The staff of the building that I have had to deal with have always been friendly and helpful.
My husband and I love the annual book sale for its wonderful selection and very helpful staff. We also look forward to the Bughouse Square debates during the book sale weekend.
It's a sad, sad day when one of the most impressive private research libraries in the country is ooh'ed and ahh'ed over on yelp as a fucking WEDDING VENUE! (Sorry. Hate weddings. Hate anything to do with weddings. I don't go to or participate in weddings if I can help it. If I ever marry the ladyfriend, I hope to do it without the benefit of a wedding. I try very hard not to hate people who have weddings, since those people comprise a statistically significant portion of my social circle and loved ones.)
Even if you don't do research, or aren't into drooling over REALLY OLD books, you should know the Newberry for one thing: the annual book sale. It is really a masterpiece, a sight for sore bibliophile eyes. Acres after acres of used books, snaking through most of the public space of the library. Don't miss it. Seriously. Don't.
You should know another thing. Applying for jobs at the Newberry is something of a hobby of mine. They never hire me, but they're always so nice about it that I never have any hard feelings.
I love going to this library for the annual booksale. I love the entire look of the venue.
When I got engaged, I decided to check out the space as a possible venue. It's gorgeous but the bathrooms were terrible. I was not very excited with the wedding coordinator who left our meeting three times to set up for an event that night.
I have been to the Newberry four times for special events:
1 - A formal dance during my freshman year in college. It was perfect, and I remember being amazed as I looked out the huge windows at the lights of the city.
2 - A wedding reception the next summer. It was perfect, and has been my benchmark for weddings even since.
3 - My company's holiday party in 2007. They were very easy to work with, and the price included security, tables, coat check, parking, and the piano. Also since they had the library decorated for Christmas, our set-up was a breeze. They were very pricey - $4750 for the evening - and were not willing to negotiate a lower rate, but I am certain that this was simply because they don't have to. Our party guests were all very impressed.
4 - Yelp's Fashion Show. See the dozens of other reviews about that.
I hope to visit someday during business hours to check out the rest of the facility, but as a venue for special events it is really classy!
This place was referred to me about 8 years ago by one of my professors over at DePaul.
If you have a book fetish like me this is the place to visit. That's all I'm saying.
This is a Wedding Review:
My husband and I had our wedding AND reception here in Oct '04. The staff was very friendly and on top of their game! Karen Scubish was our main contact.
--They don't impose restrictions on you: catering, flowers, etc. So you can use whichever vendors you please.
--There is a LOT of space to chill out beforehand.
--The marble staircase is supercool....I loved walking down the stairs rather than an aise.
--Washington Park (across the street) is great for photo opps
--Overall beautiful decor
--Price was $4000 (?) for 6 hours....I think (it's been a while).
Highly recommend the Newberry if you want to do something different!
As a Day of Wedding coordinator, I have worked the Newberry SEVERAL times in my career.
The Newberry is a special place for many reasons. The decor, the open space for event in the night, the beautiful park across the road, its awesome staircases, and its overall class.
Ruggles hall is flawlessly maintained, and its accents really add to a wedding's look.
Its sad that as a wedding venue, the coordinator Karen, is so difficult and put off by people who are just doing their jobs. She is unhelpful, abrupt, and clearly has no interest of the bride and groom in mind her actions. She has made it her business to ruin others reputations just by simple requests that all wedding halls should and would oblige to (i.e. clean chairs, proper conduct, and open communication have been frequent)
Its sad that such a wonderful place to get married is made so difficult.
Ruggles Hall is a beautiful space. Really. I went there the other day to check it out and was pleasantly surprised by the whimsical chandeliers... shiny wood floors... ultra high ceiling and silky sheer drapes over the huge windows that extended from ceiling to floor...
A must see if you're venue shopping =)
A five-star library indeed. A place of pilgrimage for the book-loving and research-obsessed. There is a wonderful handout for 17th Century British Pamphlets which you most definitely need. Did I mention that I used to work there? Oh, and I made that handout? Whoops. Full-disclosure time.
Anyway, this is a beautiful building full of beautiful books-- don't be afraid of the security desk or the cameras or the fact that all the books are tucked away in a building to which you won't have access. These are minor details. Go to Special Collections and page the very first Oscar ever awarded for screenwriting, or the book made of human skin (mwah-ha-ha), or the very very tiny books, or the very very large books. Go to General Collections and research genealogy (I would never recommend this if I still worked there, but as I no longer have to page the Pennsylvania Archives or figure out the location of a particular issue of the Illinois Staats-Zeitung, then I say go for it! Sorry GRR ladies). Impress your friends and neighbors with your newly discovered lineage (maybe you're related to the King of Spain or Liberace or Lindsay Lohan-- you'll never know until you look) and a new appreciation of heraldic vocubulary. Argent! Rampant! Bend Sinister! Field of Azure!
Also, check out the huge number of free events which will make you feel culturally superior, the great classes you can take to better yourself and the famous Book Fair and Bughouse Square Debates in the summer. You're smart enough for the likes of them.
I have to review the event space in the Newberry Library, but not the actual library section. I have been scouting out places for my wedding and went to look at the Newberry Library. They have a beautiful staircase as soon as you walk in that would be perfect for pictures, and is a nice backdrop for a cocktail hour. Then you move into the main room for the event and it really is gorgeous. The hardwood floors and paneling on the walls are so pretty and you could do anything you wanted with it - you could bring in any colors and it would look great. It would be a beautiful spot for a wedding or small gathering.
I'm an editor (and a bowler). I love the written word. The Newberry Library is pretty much what I imagine my heaven will be. The building is gorgeous. The interior is equally awesome. I get goose bumps whenever I walk in. Full of books, research materials, and history, this library never fails to please!
I can't recommend this place as an actual library, but it's a great place to hold a wedding! There's a nice room where they had the ceremony and dinner/dancing, but the real star of the place is the entrance hall where we had cocktails. It's a gorgeous space and really made the wedding special.
i went to a wedding here on Saturday night.
flawless. i can't imagine it's cheap, but it was AWESOME.
i studied here for a semester and this place is a gold mine for those obsessed with american history. the collections include extensive documents on american musical traditions, native american history (from their perspective), abolitionist tales, and much much more. the genealogy collection and staff can help you trace your roots from here to 18th century virginia. for reals.
the staff is the most knowledgeable and unpretentious i've ever encountered. the maps collection is world-class and the special collections boasts rare specimens ranging from a book made of human skin to civil war pamphlets about miscegenation. you might have to wear white gloves.
i also worked for the special events department when i was there. yeah, it's a great place for weddings (yahda yahda) but please, please don't ignore the rich intellectual treasures that lay in store upstairs!
there are books here . . . like pages with words spilling into lines into paragraphs and thoughts, fragments like precipices spilling into blank spaces in the human experience, sharp like spice have finished in the midnight hour . . . and they have a book fair every year and people debating in the square . . . did I mention the books ? Perfection for bibliophiles, seekers of knowledge
Nice library. Good place to go to study. I would not reccomend it for books though. It seems to never have the books I need, or else everything is checked out.
