New IMLS Advocacy Resource Guide

Check out our IMLS Advocacy Resource Guide for help encouraging your community and representatives to save IMLS!

Go to the Guide
IMLS Advocacy Guide graphic featuring an illustration of people advocating for something.

NEW: IHLS Annual Progress & Impact Report FY2024

A new look at the annual report: Introducing the IHLS Annual Progress & Impact Report FY2024, available in PDF and as a Flipbook

Read the Flipbook
stack of IHLS Annual Progress and Impact Reports

AMHS Updates

IHLS is getting an Automated Material-Handling System! Here's what your library needs to know.

Go to the AMHS Info Page
Text Reads: AMHS Info Page: Automated Material-Handling System Updates, FAQs, Timeline. Image is of two people using an AMHS conveyor belt to sort books into bins marked "IHLS." Nearby are bins full of books. Further in the background is a person pulling books from a shelf and filling a book cart.

HR Source Grant Announcement 2025

Illinois Heartland Library System is thrilled to announce the third round of our new HR grant program to meet our public libraries' HR support needs: the HR Source Membership Grant!

Learn More and Apply!
decorative graphic depicting hr staff working, one of whom says "HR Source."

Who are we?

520

Member Libraries in Central & Southern Illinois

map

Illinois Heartland Library System is a state agency that helps 520+ member libraries deliver exceptional service to their communities.

As one of two multi-type systems in Illinois, we are a support partner for public, school, academic, and special libraries and the library staff and trustees that work for them.

28,268 Square Miles

IHLS services over 28,000 square miles and the libraries of 2.16 million Illinois residents!

More About Us
IHLS Staff overhead view -- Illinois Heartland Library System logo is seen in the background

Imagining Tomorrow

Delivering Possibilities

Today

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Upcoming Events

See all events

IHLS

Medium Pubs Meeting

Staff of medium-sized public libraries gather to network and discuss what is going on in mid-size libraries.

Co-sponsors
Medium Pubs Group

Vespasian Warner Public Library District
Apr 29, 2025
Tue - 1 pm

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IHLS

Free Form Free For All

System Member Networking
South Macon Public Library District
Apr 30, 2025
Wed - 2 pm

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IHLS

Canceled - IHLS Directors Chat

System Member Networking

Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.

Adobe Connect
May 01, 2025
Thu - 1 pm

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IHLS

Extra Credit! School Librarian Networking

System Member Networking

Monthly open forum for school library staff

Zoom
May 01, 2025
Thu - 3 pm

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IHLS

iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal Statewide Workshop

Continuing Education, iLEAD Trustee Training

Learn how the iLEAD Trustee Learning Portal can help public library board members shine in their roles!

Zoom
May 03, 2025
Sat - 9 am

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IHLS

Barcoding

LLSAP/Consortium

Barcoding Training

Co-sponsor
SHARE - Sharing Heartland's Available Resources Equally

Zoom
May 07, 2025
Wed - 10 am

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Delivering Possibilities Today

IHLS members are part of a robust interlibrary loan system that spans the entire state—something unique to Illinois! Any Illinois resident with a library card from a system-member library can freely request and obtain materials from any other system-member library in Illinois.

And, because all library patrons deserve to receive their holds quickly, our reliable five-day delivery service is offered to all member libraries.

Read More
an IHLS delivery van