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May 2023 by Bruce K.
Officially the Gwendolyn Brooks Illinois State Library, it is located adjacent to the Illinois State Capitol. The library does have security and a magnetometer which meant that I had to go back to the van to leave something there as it set off the machine (No, it was not my firearm. Illinois is already d*** about those so I did not have it.)Inside, I managed to find a study carrel on the second floor that was reasonably comfortable. It is a HUGE open space so you're not going to be doing anything that makes any noise. And the power outlets are few and far between so you're not going to be able to charge up electronics very well. As libraries go, this one was a disappointment.Ms. Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950, was named the United States Poet Laureate for 1985 to 1986 and was the first African American woman inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1976. She was raised in Chicago Illinois and lived there most of her life.
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May 2023 by Bruce K.
Officially the Gwendolyn Brooks Illinois State Library, it is located adjacent to the Illinois State Capitol. The library does have security and a magnetometer which meant that I had to go back to the van to leave something there as it set off the machine (No, it was not my firearm. Illinois is already d*** about those so I did not have it.)Inside, I managed to find a study carrel on the second floor that was reasonably comfortable. It is a HUGE open space so you're not going to be doing anything that makes any noise. And the power outlets are few and far between so you're not going to be able to charge up electronics very well. As libraries go, this one was a disappointment.Ms. Brooks won the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1950, was named the United States Poet Laureate for 1985 to 1986 and was the first African American woman inducted into the American Academy of Arts and Letters in 1976. She was raised in Chicago Illinois and lived there most of her life.[Review 19692 overall - 146 in Illinois - 664 of 2023.]
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March 2023 by James Hetman
Talking books are a blessing I can enjoy books once again thank you
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June 2022 by Mary Johnson
Was there for honoring 2021 Illinois Police Officers killed in the line of duty
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April 2022 by Amanda Laurie
Cold and uninviting like it was a bother for us to come in.
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January 2022 by Daniel Grant
good place
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August 2021 by Angela Jones
I'm a bit of a geek so I have to visit libraries when I go to different areas to get a feel of them. The library was renamed the Gwendolyn Brooks building. Great place to do research and in a great area. Right in the heart of downtown Springfield, you're within walking distance to the State Archives, the State Museum as well the Capital. This place is good for doing research on government documents regarding Illinois as well as some historical items. I was able to look through a book detailing Illinois history that was written in 1901!
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September 2018 by Rodney Yoswig
Excellent resources available. Staff is very informative and helpful.
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September 2017 by Cody English
Computer system configuration reduces overall usefulness.
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September 2017 by Debbi Lerch
There is an excellent kids play abd discovery area.
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September 2017 by Trina Weinert
An amazing museum. Great place for families!
