Library and Instruction Services (LIS)

Library and Instruction Services Mission

Library and Instruction Services provides exemplary information and instructional services to guide learning, teaching, research, and discovery for the CSU community. Library Services units support the University’s mission, values, and vision by providing access to global information resources through cutting-edge technology, developing user-centered services that foster academic excellence and student success, and creating spaces where positive transformational academic experiences can occur.

GBL Library and Instruction Services Core Values

To create an environment that fosters:

• Intellectual development and collaborative learning
• Personal accountability and respect for others
• Academic integrity
• Teaching and technological innovation
• Community development and partnerships
• Lifelong learning

Located at the head of the campus, the Gwendolyn Brooks Library is a 142,000-square-foot facility furnished with a library instruction classroom, a learning commons to accommodate collaborative learning with comfortable seating, multi-media group study rooms, an all-campus computer lab, and a sunroom, auditorium, and conference rooms for special events, receptions, and meetings. The entire building has high-speed wireless access.

Hours of Operation

Hours of operation vary during the summer and University holidays; please visit https://library.csu.edu/gwenbrookslibraryhours for up-to-date information. Access to many Library resources is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week online at http://library.csu.edu.

Library Services

The faculty and staff of the Gwendolyn Brooks Library are responsible for the selection, acquisition, dissemination, and instruction in the use of materials and resources in all formats in service to the academic success and scholarly needs of students, faculty and scholars. The Library consists of a collection of over 450,000 volumes, eighty percent of which are stored in ROVER, the first automated library storage and retrieval system installed in the state of Illinois. ROVER houses most books published prior to 1991, all bound periodicals, the Library’s Black Studies collection, media, and archival collections. Electronic resources include books and electronic reference works, and over 150 databases providing access to thousands of journal and newspaper articles. The Gwendolyn Brooks Library collections also include microform, audiovisual materials, and streaming resources. Access to materials beyond the scope of the Library’s collection is provided through I-Share, a statewide online resource sharing network of over 90 libraries. All CSU students, faculty, and staff may use the resources from all participating libraries.

Research Services

Library faculty are available to assist and instruct on all facets of information and document retrieval and use of library resources. Research services are available in person, via chat, telephone, text, and email. https://csu.libanswers.com/

Reference Collection

This non-circulation collection currently contains 15,000 volumes that include bibliographies, biographical sources, atlases, almanacs, dictionaries, encyclopedias, and much more. In addition to the print reference collection, the Library subscribes to over 150 electronic databases providing access to a diverse array of journal literature. The Library also provides electronic access to hundreds of traditional print reference titles.

Library Instruction Lab (GBL 210)

Working as partners with teaching faculty, research and instruction librarians conduct library instruction sessions in all academic disciplines. Library instruction classes acquaint our students with the research process and provide them with enhanced information literacy skills. All library instruction sessions are held in the instruction lab, which is equipped with state-of-the-art learning technologies.

Education Resource Center (ERC)

Located on the Library’s third floor, the ERC contains a specialized collection of 48,000 volumes to support teacher preparation programs and works closely with the College of Education. It houses children’s and young adults’ literature, textbooks, and other curriculum materials, including electronic resources and other media for pre-K through 12th-grade education.

Government Documents

The Gwendolyn Brooks Library is a selective US federal documents repository that focuses on government information relating to the teaching and research interests of the university. 

Music & Performing Arts Collection

The Music & Arts Collection provides a variety of resources and materials for research, study, and classroom projects, which include books, scores, and over 3000 recordings, mostly in audio CD format. Electronic resources include a music database.

(International Index to Music Periodicals) for journal access and three streaming music listening services: Naxos Music Library, Naxos Jazz, and African-American Song. The collection also has theater and dance resources.

University Archives, Records Management, and Special Collections

The University Archives serves as the official memory of the Chicago State University community and is charged with preserving historical materials from the University’s past and present. Our special collections are focused primarily on African American history, literature, and politics; Chicago neighborhood history; and the history of education. Collections include the Gwendolyn Brooks Black Writers’ Conference Audiovisual Collection, the Lerone Bennett, Jr. Papers, the Provident Hospital Collection, the Maxwell Street Photographic Collection, the Illinois Leadership Collection, the Thomas H. Wirth Collection of 18th and 19th century African-Americana, and the R. Eugene and Alzata C. Pincham Collection.