Do you know about our partners' services and programs?
In addition to programs offered directly through IHLS, member libraries also have access to a long list of statewide resources. You can find many of them below.
Association of Illinois School Library Educators
AISLE has an annual conference for the School Library Educators.
Directors University & Directors University 2.0
Director's University is a three-day professional development event where new Illinois library directors learn the fundamentals of running a library. The sequel, Director's University 2.0 (DU 2.0), allows more seasoned directors to expand their knowledge.
eRead Illinois
An e-resources group for libraries that are not part of an LLSAP; details about eRead Illinois to come.
Explore More Illinois
Explore More Illinois allows cardholders from participating RAILS and IHLS public libraries to reserve free and discounted admission, parking, and gift store purchases from cultural and recreational attractions in Illinois and surrounding areas, including museums, cultural centers, zoos, aquariums, gardens, historical societies, park districts, and more.
Illinois Library Association
ILA holds various conferences for library staff and organizes several Forums, several which IHLS sponsors or exhibits. Conferences at which IHLS exhibits or sponsors include the ILA Annual Conference, ILA Youth Services Institute, Directors University, and Reaching Forward South.
Supported by IHLS through sponsorship and staff participation
Illinois Libraries Present
Illinois Libraries Present is a statewide collaboration between public libraries offering high-quality events. ILP's equitable membership model allows libraries of all sizes—even those with a single library staff member—to give their patrons access to authors and entertainers previously unattainable to many of the largest of libraries.
Illinois Heartland Library System's accessibility sponsorship of ILP helps make the virtual programming more accessible to patrons, whether through American Sign Language interpretation, high-quality captioning, or other methods, as needed.
Supported by IHLS through an accessibility sponsorship and staff participation
Illinois School Library Workers Symposium
The Illinois School Library Workers Symposium is designed for individuals who are working in school libraries with no formal library education, certified or non-certified, paraprofessionals, and those considering getting a school library endorsement.
Library Directory & Learning Calendar (L2)
L2 Library Directory & Learning Calendar. This website, maintained by RAILS staff, is where Illinois library people can schedule and register for events, as well as look up libraries and library staff across the state. This is also where library system members apply for re-certification.
Library Crawl
The annual library crawl is organized and led by a group of library volunteers in order to increase patron engagement and promote the services available to be shared among the libraries.
Supported by IHLS through communication and promotional support
My Library Is...
Telling Libraries' Stories of Impact on Communities
The My Library Is...Sharing Showcase is a place for sharing examples and templates of myriad storytelling resources, a place where you can get ideas from others, and share your favorite communication pieces and plans. Check it out, and then maybe add your own.
Think you have an idea for a topic or know a writer for the My Library Is... blog? Contact them!
Supported by IHLS through staff participation
School Library Advocacy Through Education (SLATE)
The SLATE project aims to collect data on school library staff, collections, and financial resources in an effort to provide school libraries and their advocates with more targeted and persuasive resources and support.
Soon to be Famous Illinois Author Project
Two library-driven contests held each year to support Illinois authors. The Project highlights the importance of libraries in the era of e-books and self-publishing and challenges libraries to wield their collective influence to lift a self-published author to success to create a measurable indicator of the power of libraries and librarians to affect books and reading. Currently, 32% of bestsellers on Amazon are self-published.