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Resources for Libraries

    

Free Tools and Other Resources

The World Wide Web is home to a wide world of tools that can make librarians' jobs easier. Use the filters below to find free tools to aid in collection development, marketing, and more!

NOTE: The information provided here is for the convenience of IHLS members. New tools and additional resources are added periodically.


AISLE

The Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) promotes life-long learning by the students of Illinois. AISLE provides leadership and support for the development, promotion, and…

Alison

Alison has unlimited free courses. You can purchase optional certificates once you have completed a course for a fee.

American Library Association

The American Library Association offers a variety of helpful tools for libraries, including Advocacy and Awareness Campaigns, Censorship, Early Literacy, Performance Measurement, Programming,…

Amigos Library Services Continuing Education Services

Amigos Library Services' Continuing Education Services help you upgrade your skills and knowledge. From reference and technical services to project management, cataloging,…

Biblioboard Library of Illinois

Biblioboard offers access to free ebooks throughout Illinois. Indie and self published authors in Illinois and across the country. Books are reviewed by Biblioboard and Library Journal.

Book Riot

Book Riot is a media site covering book-related news, reviews, commentary, advice and information along with the latest in book-reading technology. Dedicated to the idea that writing about books…

Burbio

Burbio.com is a free and fully automated community events platform that streams all of a town's activities - library, school, government, and non-profit…

Canva

Canva is an online graphic design website, that offers an easy drag-and-drop feature with hundreds of fonts and millions of images. Create professional newsletters, presentations, or marketing…

Canvas Network

Canvas Network allows you to enroll in a variety of open online courses. The courses allow for continual access to course content after the course end date.

CARLI

CARLI is the Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois. Illinois academic libraries have been consortial for over 30 years. Since CARLI began operations in 2005, this…

Checkology

Checkology is a free e-learning platform with engaging, authoritative lessons on subjects like news media bias, misinformation, conspiratorial thinking, and more. Learners develop the…

CIA World Factbook

The World Factbook provides information on the history, people and society, government, economy, energy, geography, communications, transportation, military, and transnational issues for 266…

Class Central

Class Central lists all of the top 50 free online courses of all time with links to each.

Cognitive Class

IBM has several different learning paths in Cognitive Class geared towards learning data science. One neat perk is the ability to earn a badge after completing a path which can…

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau

The CFPB offers tools, financial education training, ideas, and materials for libraries. "We want to make libraries the go-to source for financial education. We're working with…