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.

Services

IHLS has a menu of tools and resources to help Illinois libraries provide outstanding services. In addition to free functional 5-day interlibrary delivery, library staff can take continuing education classes, access grant and tool databases, and more.

Learn More About Our Services
Futuristic image with icons representing our services

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

Read more

Upcoming Events

See all events

IHLS

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.

Zoom,Vespasian Warner Public Library District
Jul 17, 2025
Thu - 10 am

View in L2

IHLS

MEPL July Meeting

System Member Networking

MEPL is for public library managers to get together and discuss issues, answer questions, share ideas, and occasionally have a guest speaker.

Co-sponsors
MEPL - Metro-East Public Library Management Group

Hayner Public Library District (Alton Square Library)
Jul 17, 2025
Thu - 2 pm

View in L2

IHLS

IHLS Executive Committee Meeting

IHLS Edwardsville 1st Floor Multipurpose Room,Zoom
Jul 17, 2025
Thu - 4 pm

View in L2

IHLS

SHARE Your Cataloging Questions

LLSAP/Consortium

Join SHARE catalogers for barcoding and cataloging Q&A session.

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

Zoom
Jul 22, 2025
Tue - 9 am

View in L2

IHLS

IHLS Board Meet & Greet with AMHS Tour

System Board of Directors
IHLS Champaign Large Videoconference/Training Center
Jul 22, 2025
Tue - 3 pm

View in L2

IHLS

IHLS Directors Chat

System Member Networking

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

Virtual Location
Jul 24, 2025
Thu - 1 pm

View in L2

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