The Illinois State Library (ISL) is the official State Library of Illinois located in Springfield, Illinois.[2] The library has a collection of 5 million items and serves as regional federal documents depository for the state.[3] The library oversees the Talking Book and Braille Service which offers audio and braille library service to Illinois residents with print disabilities or other disabilities.[4] The library maintains the Illinois Center for the Book, the Illinois Digital Archives and the Illinois Veterans History Project.[5]
The original state library was located next to the office of Stephen A. Douglas while he was Secretary of State.[6] It moved into the west wing of the State Capitol's third floor in October 1887.[7] The Illinois State Library is currently housed in the purpose-built library rededicated as the Gwendolyn Brooks State Library in 2003.[8] The library which was designed by Chicago architectural firm Graham, Anderson, Probst and White.[6] Construction took five years to complete and cost just under 36 million dollars when it was complete in 1990.[6]