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State Library Guide
K12 Academics Resource Library

Illinois Libraries: Free for Students, Parents & Teachers

What your Illinois public and state library gives you free with a card: research databases, ebooks and audiobooks, homework help, early literacy, and accessible reading.

Public Libraries
623
Locations
794
Annual Visits
40,495,352
Items Borrowed / yr
6,350,164
Your State LibraryBy the NumbersAccessible ReadingFind a LibraryOfficial Links
Your State Library

Illinois State Library

Every resident of Illinois has free access to a statewide library system run by Illinois State Library. 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.

Worth knowing: Runs Ask Away Illinois, a 24/7 online chat reference service staffed by Illinois librarians.
The state, by the numbers

Illinois public libraries at a glance

Public libraries
623
library systems in the state
Service locations
794
main libraries, branches & bookmobiles
Visits a year
40,495,352
in-person visits statewide
Items borrowed a year
6,350,164
total materials circulated
Program attendance
5,233,727
at library programs
Children's program attendance
2,937,047
at youth programs
Visits per resident
3
per person, per year
Source: U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), Public Libraries Survey (FY 2024). View the data →
For print-disabled readers

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 Illinois Talking Book & Braille Service, part of the national NLS network and its BARD download service. The Illinois State Library Talking Book & Braille Service provides free audiobooks and braille by mail or download through a regional network; Illinois residents unable to read standard print apply.

Get started

Find a library & get a card

Use the official locator to find your nearest Illinois public library, hours, and how to get a card. Find a library →

Through ILLINET, you can borrow materials from libraries across the state by interlibrary loan.

Verify at the source

Official links

Illinois State Libraryhttps://www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/home.htmlFind a libraryhttps://www.ilsos.gov/departments/library/home.html