Illinois launches new statewide digital library. Here are the extra perks
Illinois residents with or without a library card can now utilize a new statewide digital library service.
Illinois Secretary of State officials announced Tuesday residents can now access a “vast collection” of digital resources, including e-books, magazines, journals, newspapers and research databases.
You can access the digital resources through your local library or online through Illinois Reliable Information Sources. There is no minimum age requirement to use the system, and no library card is required to access materials through the Illinois Reliable Information Sources, as long as your device’s IP address is located in Illinois.
“Access to reliable information should not depend on a person’s ZIP code or the financial resources of their local library,” Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias said in a Tuesday press release. “This investment will ensure every Illinois resident has access to educational, professional and personal enrichment resources while helping libraries stretch limited budgets and better serve their communities.”
The program is designed to mitigate disparities in digital resource access caused by differences in local library funding, officials said. Additionally, the new online library services will provide materials to 1 million Illinois residents who do not live in a public library service area.
Along with individual resident access, all Illinois schools and libraries can use the databases for free.
“Due to rising personnel costs, building maintenance and general programming costs, budget decisions for libraries get tougher each year as we decide which resources to purchase that will best serve the needs of our community,” Amy Byers, library director for Chatham Public Library and former president of the Illinois Library Association, said in the press release.
“This statewide database will have a profound impact on libraries. It will help us expand services and continue to provide great resources to our patrons without having to weigh the option of having good, quality online resources.”
The e-books available through the online library, IRIS, are web-based resources, and patrons access them online instead of checking them out for a set period.
Bonus: No due dates or renewals
“Because the materials are not borrowed in the traditional sense, there are no borrowing periods, due dates, or renewals,” Illinois Secretary of State’s Office spokesperson Max Walczyk told the News-Democrat in a recent email.
Local libraries that already subscribe to digital services will now be able to redirect those funds to other services, officials said. As of 2023, more than half of Illinois public libraries did not offer an online database subscription.
What can you access through the state’s digital library?
Through the state’s digital library program, residents can access more than 50 online databases, including educational materials for students in pre-K through 12th grade, undergraduate academic research, health and wellness information, business and entrepreneurship tools, auto repair manuals and reference e-books.
Test preparation, certification, career readiness and workforce development resources are also available.
A rotating selection of popular fiction books is available through the EBSCO e-book database. IRIS content is provided through an annual contract with EBSCO Information Services.
What does the Belleville Public Library offer?
Belleville city residents can obtain a library card by bringing in their photo ID and a piece of business mail dated within the last 30 days to the public library.
The Belleville Public Library offers an extensive selection of physical books to check out, along with digital resources and reference materials.
Along with providing reading materials, the library also hosts children’s storytimes, crafting events, book bingo, game days, Lego club, adult summer reading program and more.
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