Who are we?
520+
Member Libraries in Central & Southern Illinois
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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 serves over 28,000 square miles and the libraries of 2.16 million Illinois residents!
Latest News
February 27, 2026
Delivery News
Updated Procedure for Delivery Transit Tubs & Bags at Member Libraries
February 4, 2026
Delivery News
Have You Tried Delivery On the Go?
December 5, 2025
IHLS News
We're Restructuring!
November 24, 2025
IHLS News
You're Invited—Libraries + Education: Creating Community through Collaboration
November 3, 2025
IHLS News
SR 104 Advises Trustee Training – iLEAD Is Here to Help!
October 23, 2025
IHLS News
Introducing the IHLS Annual Progress & Impact Report (FY2025)
Subscribe to IHLS News
Get the latest updates by signing up for our Member Connection newsletter, continuing education emails, or one of our other mailing lists
Upcoming Events
Focus on Deriving a Record — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in deriving a bibliographic record
Focus on Deriving a Record — a CMC cataloging course
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
two-week crash course in deriving a bibliographic record
SWAYS (Southwest Advocates for Youth Services)
The SWAYS group provides professional resources, guidance, and mentorship to library staff providing services to children and teens.
Join us for a presentation from Illinois Early Intervention Clearinghouse
Break it Down Again: The Pieces of Subject Headings — an Online with the CMC webinar
Cataloging Maintenance Center, Continuing Education
Online with the CMC is a free monthly cataloging webinar; this month, we're discussing the different pieces of subject headings.
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
See a Digitization Project in Action – Mobile Memory Lab Demo
Continuing Education
Are you considering starting a historical digitization project at your library?
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.
