Due to a staff shortage, the NIU Regional History Center and University Archives (RHCUA) can only serve researchers affiliated with Northern Illinois University at this time. The RHCUA remains closed to the general public until January 2021 or until further notice. For NIU affiliated researchers, please consult the Access Policy when requesting materials by email. (Staff are working remotely and are unable to answer your calls.) The Illinois Regional Archives Depository (IRAD) has moved to the Government Publications department and can be contacted at (815) 753-1807.
Hours and Location Information
Research in the Regional History Center and University Archives is by appointment only on weekdays between 8:00 am - noon and 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm.
Starting May 20th through August 23rd of 2019 the Regional History Center/University Archives/IRAD (Founders Library, room 400) and Rare Books and Special Collections (Founders Library, room 403) will be sharing reading room space. Please review the schedule below to know where to access material from our collections.
MONDAY – Rare Books and Special Collections
TUESDAY – Rare Books and Special Collections
WEDNESDAY – see schedule below
THURSDAY – Regional History Center/University Archives/IRAD
FRIDAY – Regional History Center/University Archives/IRAD
Wednesday the reading room alternates between spaces. Please see below for the reading room locations on Wednesdays.
Rare Books and Special Collections
May 22
June 5, 19
July 3, 17, 31
August 14
Regional History Center/University Archives/IRAD
May 29
June 12, 26
July 10, 24
August 7, 21
Please contact the Regional History Center and University Archives at rhcua@niu.edu or 815-753-1779 so we can help plan your visit.
Please contact the IRAD Office at 815-753-1807 if you have questions concerning local government records.