current library building, opened in 1976, is the second facility constructed to be a dedicated library. The university library has resided in five campus locations: Old Main (demolished 1958), John W. Cook Hall, North Hall (demolished 1965), Williams Hall (first known as Milner Library), and the current Milner Library.
=== Reputation and rankings ===
In the 2026 rankings, U.S. News & World Report ranked Illinois State University (tied for) 222 among a combined list of America's best 436 private and public "national universities" and (tied for) 122 among 225 public "national universities" in the United States that qualified for the list.
In 2024, Washington Monthly ranked Illinois State 128th among 438 national universities in the U.S. based on Illinois State's contribution to the public good, as measured by social mobility, research, and promoting public service.
Forbes magazine ranks Illinois State #260 out of 500 American colleges.
== Student life ==
As of September 2024, total on-campus enrollment was …
