The Mission of the Pritzker Military Library is to acquire and maintain an accessible collection of materials and develop appropriate programs focusing on the Citizen Soldier in the preservation of democracy.

Colonel (IL) J.N. Pritzker, IL ARNG (Retired), founder of the Pritzker Military Library, assembled a major collection of books and related materials on military history, with a particular focus on the concept of the Citizen Soldier in America. Today, building upon that foundation through the generosity of private donors, the Pritzker Military Library has become a non-partisan research library that attempts to increase the public understanding of military history and the sacrifices made by the men and women who have served.

In a democratic society, it is important for people of all viewpoints to have an open, public forum to discuss the past, present, and future of the military. Through its collection and its programs, the Library is dedicated to serving as a forum for those discussions and preserving them for future generations. Since opening in 2003, the Library has hosted over 300 events featuring the country's most acclaimed authors, historians, journalists, and scholars.