Idaho Commission for Libraries
Every resident of Idaho has free access to a statewide library system run by Idaho Commission for Libraries. With a local library card, students, parents, and teachers can use research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, and learning programs at no cost. Here is what is available and how to get it.
Idaho public libraries at a glance
Research databases: LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho)
LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho) is Idaho's free statewide research service.
Resources students can use inside LiLI (Libraries Linking Idaho) include:
- EBSCO (Academic Search Premier, MasterFILE, NoveList Plus & K-8, Middle Search Plus, MEDLINE, ERIC)
- Gale Virtual Reference Library & Chilton
- World Book (Encyclopedia, Kids, Student, Advanced, Spanish)
- LearningExpress Library
- Scout: Idaho Edition
Ebooks & audiobooks: IDEA (Idaho Digital E-Book Alliance) via OverDrive, about 20,000 K-12-geared titles, free with a library card.
Early literacy programs
Read to Me, from the Idaho Commission for Libraries, includes My First Books, which mails books to children from birth to kindergarten who are unlikely to have books at home.
Accessible reading & talking books
Students and family members who cannot read standard print (because of a visual, physical, or reading disability such as dyslexia) can get free audiobooks and braille through Talking Book Service, part of the national NLS network and its BARD download service. The Idaho Talking Book Service (Idaho Commission for Libraries), an NLS network library, is a free audiobook service for Idahoans unable to read standard print.
Find a library & get a card
Use the official locator to find your nearest Idaho public library, hours, and how to get a card. Find a library →
Most Idaho libraries run a Summer learning support each summer to keep kids reading and prevent summer learning loss. Ask your local branch for dates.