How to Use This Libguide
Each tab of this LibGuide details a specific Illinois fire or incident. Each fire has a summary of the events, a section of resources at IFSI Library, online resources with links, and some include a section with online book resources and/or video resources. Each resource includes a description so users know exactly what each resource contains, and each IFSI Library resource includes a link to the catalog so users can make requests of the items.
IFSI Library Lending Policies
Local Lending (Illinois Residents Only)
- The checkout period is 4 weeks.
- Extensions are considered individually.
- Pick up requested materials at the library circulation desk.
- Bring your photo ID to set up a lending account.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
- The checkout period is 6 weeks.
- IFSI can send materials directly to your local public library through Interlibrary Loan.
- You must have a public library card.
- It may take up to two weeks for items to arrive.
Significant Illinois Fires
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871
This guide was produced by the Illinois Fire Service Institute (IFSI) Library to bring together resources about significant fires in the history of Illinois. These resources include books and audiovisual material available at the IFSI Library, as well as freely available online material, including articles, websites, books, and videos. The primary audience of this guide is fire fighters and emergency responders, but students and members of the public with an interest in Illinois and American history might also find this guide useful. Each tab of this guide contains information about a different fire.
IFSI Library
The IFSI Library houses more than 65,000 items, including books, periodicals, manuals, codes and standards, DVDs, CDs, e-resources, audiobooks and other fire emergency resources. The library exists to serve all first responders in the state of Illinois. Users can request materials in-person, via telephone or email, or through the Online Catalog. The catalog may be searched keyword, title, author, subject, or publisher, and the search can be limited to specific formats. You may enter as many or as few search terms as you would like; the more search parameters the fewer results there will be, but those results will be more specific. You can visit us in person, or, if you live in the state of Illinois and have an Illinois library card, we can send the materials you want to your local library via interlibrary loan.
General Resources
Fire Disasters:The Truth Behind the Tragedies by Call Number: HV555.R913 1998ISBN: 9780862881597This is a worldwide look at the most disastrous fires throughout the centuries, starting with the Great Fire of Rome, July 18, 64 AD through the Bush Fires of Indonesia, 1997.
Fire in America by Call Number: TH 9115.N28 1976Publication Date: 1976This covers fires in the United States from 1600 to 1976, including sections on many major fires.
Forgotten Fires of Chicago by Call Number: F548.5.H64 2014ISBN: 9781626197473Publication Date: 2014-11-11This book compiles the many forgotten fires of Chicago, in addition to some of the more famous ones.
Great Chicago Fires: Historic Blazes the Shaped a City by Call Number: TH9445.P8C43 2001ISBN: 1893121070Publication Date: 2001This book discusses major Chicago fires, including the Great Chicago Fire, Iroquois Theater fire, and Our Lady of the Angels School fire.
Librarian
IFSI Library Information
Library Hours:
8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Monday - Friday
Special operating hours may be held during events.
IFSI Library Staff:
Lian Ruan, Head Librarian: lruan@illinois.edu
Diane Richardson, Reference & User Training Librarian: dlrichar@illinois.edu
David Ehrenhart, Archivist and Metadata Librarian: ehrenha1@illinois.edu
Libguide created by Quinn Stitt
Contact fsi-library@illinois.edu with questions or concerns.