Every Library in ILLINET

The Illinois Library & Information Network (ILLINET) is a cooperative network of libraries in Illinois administered by the Illinois State Library (ISL). From the ISL website, “More than 5000 academic, public, school and special libraries belong to ILLINET and work together to meet the diverse information needs of Illinois citizens. A library becomes an ILLINET member when it is accepted for membership in one of the ten state-funded regional library systems.”

A useful tool is the website for Every Library in ILLINET, found at www.eliillinois.org. Here, you can find directory and statistical information on all ILLINET member libraries, including:

• Library Name, Type & Library System membership
• Address
• Phone & Fax Numbers
• ILDS Route
• Cities Served
• Hours
• Electronic Resources
• Staff Information
• Interlibrary Loan Policies
• Foreign Language Resources
• Previous State Grants
• Legislative Districts and Legislators (State & Federal)
• Library Trustees

For public libraries, a useful reference found on this site is a compilation of information from the Illinois Public Library Annual Report that each public library submits to the ISL each year. While the information is a bit dated (FY05-06 is the latest data that is posted), it can be useful. You can look at information by library size, location, library system, etc. The IPLAR statistics can be found at www.eliillinois.org/iplar/