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 services over 28,000 square miles and the libraries of 2.16 million Illinois residents!
Latest News
July 9, 2025
IHLS News
Call for Proposals: IHLS Member Day 2026
May 29, 2025
AMHS News
AMHS Timeline Update May 29, 2025
May 28, 2025
IHLS News
FY2026/CY2025 Election Results!
April 23, 2025
IHLS News
Your Feedback Requested: Proposed FY2026 Budget & Operational Plan
April 16, 2025
IHLS News
Joint Statement on Changes at the Institute of Museum and Library Services
April 8, 2025
CMC News
CMC Announces FY2026 Cataloging Courses
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
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
SHARE Catalogers Training Session
LLSAP/Consortium
SHARE catalogers will be available to answer barcoding and cataloging questions.
Small Public Libraries Meeting
The next Small Public Libraries Meeting will take place at Millstadt Library from 10-noon on Thursday, Sept 18, 2025. Come early and take a look around at their library!
This is a great opportunity to network with other library directors, share what's happening in your neck of the woods, commiserate, and brainstorm for the future.
Address:
115 W. Laurel St
Millstadt, IL 62260Host: Nichole Lauko
Illinois School Library Workers Symposium
School Library Staff please join us for the third annual Illinois School Library Workers Symposium!
This full day of virtual library training is provided by your Illinois library agencies: the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE), Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS), Illinois Library Association (ILA), and Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), and is provided at no cost to you or your district. Up to 3.5 hours of PDH are available, and you will also have plenty of time to network with other school library staff and talk about topics that may be on your mind.
Here is our event agenda, which will include sessions about intellectual freedom, state reading lists, AI first steps, weeding and collection management, classroom and behavior management, career paths in school librarianship, and more! There will also be opportunities for table talks and networking.
For more information contact Jessica Silva, RAILS Member Engagement Specialist, jessica.silva@railslibraries.org
IHLS Directors Chat
System Member Networking
Join library directors and branch leaders across central and southern Illinois for this text-based chat.
IHLS Members Matter & Third Thursday CE
Continuing Education, System Member Networking
Join IHLS members and staff for a continuing education program and membership forum in these monthly events.
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.
