A new, free online library went live in Illinois this week.
The Illinois Reliable Information Sources program is an initiative of the Illinois Secretary of State's that began on Tuesday.
Local librarians are itching to use it, including Tina Hubert, Regional Director of the Six Mile Regional Library District in Granite City.
"Those resources are resources that we've had to pay foin the past," Hubert said. "And so, the fact that the Secretary of State has made this offering across the state is saving us, approximately, $11,000 a year that we can then use for other resources."
She said the district will spend the money on additional e-resources and databases, including e-books, magazines, and music. And that the free program will have a big impact on Illinoisans, as only residents with library cards could access free library databases before.
"It really has the potential to make a profound difference on people who live in areas of the State that don't have library service. And there are a good number of places across the State - [mainly] more rural places - that don't have library service."
Hubert said this will hugely benefit students and teachers, as well. She says her district has recently started distributing library cards in local schools to make sure both students and teachers have access to the district's resources. Now, they'll be able to access most of the same resources online, for free.
It gives Illinois residents, libraries, schools and universities access to more than 50 databases with e-books, peer-reviewed journals, newspapers and more.
It gives Illinois residents, libraries, schools and universities access to more than 50 databases with e-books, peer-reviewed journals, newspapers and more.
