Skip to main content
HOURS TODAY

Loading Main Library hours...

Loading Mudd Library hours...

Loading Deering Library hours...

Hours

Events

The Northwestern community and the public are invited to the Libraries for our events.

Looking to host an event in a library space? See policies and request a library space for an event.

Sep
14
2026

Break Right Through That Line: Football at Northwestern

Ongoing Evanston

With photographs, footballs, uniforms, and other materials drawn from University Archives, this exhibit turns Deering Library into a sideline seat for a retrospective of more than 130 years of football pageantry on campus. From our roots as a 19th century tug-of-war powerhouse to the nationally known Cardiac ’Cats of modern times, the story of football at this University is a colorful tale of red Roses, a blue streak, and a whole lot of purple pride.  


Deering Library, Sept. 14 – Dec. 18. 

Sep
18
2026

Expect Victory: An Evening with Gary Barnett

6:00 PM Evanston

With a completely rebuilt and reimagined Ryan Field capturing national attention this season, all eyes are on the Wildcats. Northwestern Libraries is celebrating this momentous occasion with an exhibition of football artifacts and memorabilia from University Archives that bring 150 years of purple pageantry to life.

Northwestern Libraries and University Historian Kevin Leonard ’77, ’82 MS welcome Coach Gary Barnett for a "sideline chat” about the watershed 1995 season when Barnett made good on his promise to “take the Purple to Pasadena.” Facilitated by sportscaster Dave Eanet, who called plays for WBBM Radio that year, Barnett will relive the memorable events of his tenure and talk about some of the items on display that help tell the story of the season that launched the tooth-and-claw Cardiac ’Cats era.

These programs are supported by the Leonard Lecture and Exhibit Series Fund, which was made possible through the generosity of the Brown and Anderson families.

Space is limited, and registration will close when event capacity is reached.

Sep
29
2026

Explore Your Library

10:00 AM Evanston

Whether it's your first quarter or your last year, there's always something new to discover at your library! Explore your library through a few mini-games, uncover the library's secrets, and walk out with prizes and snacks, all in just 10 minutes! Groups are encouraged, so bring your friends and play together! 

Sep
30
2026

Explore Your Library

10:00 AM Evanston

Whether it's your first quarter or your last year, there's always something new to discover at your library! Explore your library through a few mini-games, uncover the library's secrets, and walk out with prizes and snacks, all in just 10 minutes! Groups are encouraged, so bring your friends and play together! 

Oct
8
2026

Forward Progress: The New Ryan Field

6:00 PM Evanston

With a completely rebuilt and reimagined Ryan Field capturing national attention this season, all eyes are on the Wildcats. Northwestern Libraries is celebrating this momentous occasion with an exhibition of football artifacts and memorabilia from University Archives that bring 150 years of purple pageantry to life.

In conjunction with the exhibition, Northwestern Libraries and University Historian Kevin Leonard ’77, ’82 MS welcome Pat Ryan Jr. ’97 JD, MBA to share the origins and development of the largest college stadium project ever. Home to the next generation of Wildcat football, this $850 million initiative reimagines game day experiences and aims to establish the new Ryan Field as a community asset.

These programs are supported by the Leonard Lecture and Exhibit Series Fund, which was made possible through the generosity of the Brown and Anderson families.

Space is limited, and registration will close when event capacity is reached.