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Illinois State Library
What is the State Library?
The Illinois State Library was created more than 150 years ago to serve the needs of state government. As the official library for state government, it has come a long way since 1839 when the young Secretary of State, Stephen A. Douglas, saw to it that space was reserved next to his new office for a small, fledgling library.
Today, the State Library has become a computer-age doorway to worldwide information, providing patrons with an electronic bridge to the collections of universities, public and corporate libraries, and new information systems that will continue to develop into the 21st century and beyond.
Who can use the Illinois State Library?
Anyone can use the sources onsite at the Illinois State Library; come to the second floor Reference Room for assistance!
Who is eligible to borrow from the Illinois State Library’s circulating collections?
Library card application forms are available from the Illinois State Library's Web site.
- All persons employed by the State of Illinois may apply for an Illinois State Library Regular Borrower's Card and, if approved, may borrow directly from the Illinois State Library's circulating collections and the collections of 76 additional libraries sharing the I-Share universal catalog.
- Persons with a valid Illinois public library card or retired state employees may apply for an Illinois State Library Courtesy Card and, if approved, may borrow directly from the Illinois State Library’s circulating collections. Materials must be picked up at the Illinois State Library.
- Any person with a valid library card from one of the state’s other I-Share libraries may borrow directly from the Illinois State Library’s circulating collections.
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Illinois Government Publications
What is considered an Illinois Document?
Any state agency/university publication printed with state funds is considered a Illinois document.
How many copies of a publication does a state agency/university send to the Illinois State Library?
40 copies are required for the Illinois Depository Program and 25 copies for the State Government Report Distribution Center. State universities send 1 to 3 copies of their publications.
Are all publications required for the Report Center?
Only reports that are required to be sent to the General Assembly are to be sent for the Report Center.
Where do the 40 copies for the Depository Program go?
Three copies are kept for the State Library’s collection. The other 37 are sent out to our depositories. Six of these depositories are outside the state of Illinois, California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Massachusetts and England.
How do I find out what publications an agency has printed?
These publications are listed monthly in the Illinois Documents List. There is also an annual cumulation entitled Publications of the State of Illinois. These subscriptions are free of charge.
Can I request copies of a publication listed in the Illinois Documents List?
If you wish to borrow the document, yes. You can either go the nearest depository library, which is listed inside the documents list, or have your local library put in a inter-library loan request. Personal copies must be requested from the issuing agency.
Does the Illinois State Library have a copy of the current Illinois Blue Book?
The Illinois State Library receives the current copy of the Illinois Blue Book as soon as it is processed in the spring of each odd numbered year. The library also has a historical collection of the Illinois Blue Book available to patrons in the Reference Room, and is also accessible electronically via the Illinois Digital Archives.
Does the Illinois State Library have census information?
The Illinois State Library has census information in paper format, on microfilm and on CD-ROM. Both historical census information and current census information are available. It is also possible to access census information online.
Does the Illinois State Library have information on family histories?
The Illinois State Library has information for researching family histories. A notebook which is useful for genealogy is located on the shelf behind the reference desk. It is a guide to information in the library for researching family histories, including military records, census information, information on counties and information about city directories.
Does the Illinois State Library have popular novels?
The Illinois State Library does not own many popular novels. However, we have a small collection of fiction and non-fiction by Illinois authors.
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Communications Department
Family Reading Night
When is Family Reading Night?
The third Thursday in November.
Who is on the mailing list?
Public and private schools with grades pre-K -6, public libraries, SOS literacy programs and child-at-risk programs. The school mailing list is provided by the State Board of Education.
When can I order Family Reading Night materials?
Order forms are usually sent out in October and due back to the ISL office by the first of December. Further details about Family Reading Night are available online.
Newsline
What is Newsline?
The full text of USA Today, New York Times and the Chicago Tribune are transformed into computerized speech and made available to eligible registered readers at eleven Illinois locations by 6:30 each morning. Using a touch-tone telephone, readers select which newspaper and articles they wish to hear. Newsline gives each reader options and control over when, as well as what, is accessed.
The intent is to add local papers in the future. The only cost to
the reader is the cost of the telephone call from the reader's telephone to the nearest Newsline Service Center. For further information on this program, and to register, call the Illinois State Library at 1-800-665-5576 extension 5, Talking Book Program.
How do you register for Newsline?
Call the Illinois State Library at 1-800-665-5576 extension 5, or your Talking Book Center.
How much does Newsline cost?
Only the cost of a long-distance call from the reader's telephone to the nearest Newsline Service Center. There are 11 service centers.
Can I get my local paper?
The only papers currently available on Newsline are USA Today, New York Times, Chicago Tribune.
Illinois Libraries
How do I subscribe to Illinois Libraries?
Beginning with the Summer, 2001 issue, you’ll be able to access Illinois Libraries in our publications section.
What is the cost of a subscription to Illinois Libraries?
There is no charge.
How can I order SOS publications?
Write or call the Communications Department, Illinois State Library, Gwendolyn Brooks Library, 300 South Second Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701 or 1-800-665-5576 extension 6.
What are "e-rates?"
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 includes discounted telecommunications (or "e-rates") for libraries and schools. Eligible institutions generally include public libraries, public and private K-12 schools and consortia consisting of schools and libraries. Administered by the Schools and Libraries Division, the e-rate program began in 1998 and provides discounts for telecommunications services, Internet access and internal connections. Libraries and schools apply annually to the Schools and Libraries Division for the discounts, and part of the application process includes development of a technology plan.
Who approves technology plans?
As part of the federal application process for telecommunications discounts or "e-rates," a library must have an approved technology plan. In Illinois, libraries first submit the technology plan to the library system for review, followed by review and certification by the Illinois State Library. The review process for school technology plans is overseen by the Illinois State Board of Education.
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FirstSearch
What is FirstSearch?
Online Computer Library Center's (OCLC) FirstSearch is an immense collection of electronic databases on subject matters relating to the arts, social and physical sciences, humanities, business, medicine, and general reference. This Web-based online reference service provides access to over 80 databases and more than six million full-text articles that the Secretary of State and State Librarian, Jesse White and the Illinois State Library provide to Illinois libraries and their patrons free of charge.
Can anyone use FirstSearch?
An Authorization and Password are required to access FirstSearch. Just contact your local library to obtain this information.
How can I get an article that I find on FirstSearch?
Many articles are available online in full-text to read or print. If not, search results lists will clearly indicate it with an icon when your library owns (holds) an item, or you can make an inter-library loan request from your local library.
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Project Next Generation
What is Project Next Generation?
Project Next Generation is sponsored by Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian. Its primary goal is to provide participants with a safe environment in which they can become familiar with new technology and enhance their social abilities. This process is accomplished through selected Illinois public libraries located throughout the state. These libraries hire qualified mentors to teach technology and interpersonal skills to junior high school students. Mentors will guide participants as they explore life skills (effective communication, goal setting, conflict resolution) using technologies such as scanners, e-books, digital cameras, and interactive video. With mentoring as the glue, technology as the process, and libraries as the resource, Project Next Generation will combine goals, answer needs, and engage learning on multiple levels to provide opportunities for skill and personal development.
What is the purpose of Project Next Generation?
For the next generation, technology will be a necessary tool for communication of ideas as well as a skill vital for tomorrow's jobs. Today's 13 year olds will work in jobs that don't exist today. Providing them with a 'technology toolkit' to draw upon is of highest priority to ensure future success. Our communities, through their local public libraries, are in a unique position to provide for this need.
Using peer mentors and public libraries, Project Next Generation will capitalize on research which documents that peer associations augment social and mental development. Friendships will develop through peer mentoring and become keys to learning and social growth. With mentoring as the glue, technology as the process, and libraries as the resource, Project Next Generation will combine opportunities for skill and personal development.
Why is Project Next Generation important to the community?
Nearly 4 million American children are growing up in "severely distressed neighborhoods" with high poverty levels, high school dropouts, unemployment, and reliance on welfare. Nearly half of these 4 million children live in six states, one of which is Illinois.
Project Next Generation will offer experiences many children might otherwise never have. One child in every five lives below the poverty line with limited exposure to technology.
Public libraries will provide a secure, comfortable environment that will serve as a location for uniting all community members.
Mentoring will expand into different segments of the community. Community leaders, senior citizens, and program participants will be invited to share experiences and expertise resulting in intergenerational, multi-directional mentoring.
Program supporters will have a unique opportunity to make a difference. Community involvement is critical in the success of Project Next Generation.
Project Next Generation programs will be tailored to capitalize on community assets and strengths.
Project Next Generation will foster the development of young adults who will be better prepared to face the challenges of the future and will result in skilled, confident, empowered students entering the workforce.
Who is involved in Project Next Generation?
Jesse White, Secretary of State and State Librarian, is widely regarded for his commitment to improving the lives of Illinois’ children. The Jesse White Tumblers have successfully impacted the lives of hundreds of inner city youth by motivating them to strive for excellence. Secretary White plans to continue this tradition of moving children to new levels of achievement and self esteem by utilizing Illinois public libraries.
The Illinois State Library is responsible for the administration and facilitation of Project Next Generation. Employees in the Library Automation and Technology Division oversee the purchasing of technology equipment and software, provide mentor technology training, develop curriculum and student lesson plans, and provide technical and educational support.
Illinois public libraries provide a safe environment for participants, hire qualified mentors and ensure the success of the problem in the local library.
Mentors work together to educate, assist and provide support to participants.
Participants attend sessions regularly in order to learn and grow with the program.
What do students gain from Project Next Generation?
Participants will gain self-confidence, technological talents, collaboration and conflict resolution skills, and increased creativity and leadership skills.
In 1995, a Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America impact study established that young people with mentors were:
- 46% less likely to begin using illegal drugs
- 27% less likely to begin using alcohol
- 53% less likely to skip school
- 37% less likely to skip a class and
- 33% less likely to hit someone
than children in the research control groups.
Where can I find more information about Project Next Generation?
You can find out more information by visiting the Project Next Generation website.
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Reference
Who was the world’s tallest man?
Robert Wadlow, the Alton Giant of Illinois, was 8 feet 11 inches at the time of his death.
How can I obtain a birth or death certificate of my ancestor for genealogical purposes?
The Illinois Department of Public Health Division of Vital Records has death and birth records back to 1916. It is recommended that the individual contact the local courthouse of the ancestor’s county for earlier records.
What was the last year an Illinois state census was issued?
No state census was done after 1865.
What is the highest spot in Illinois?
Charles Mound in Jo Daviess County (1,241 ft).
What are the lengths of the Illinois Boundary Rivers?
Mississippi (570 miles), Ohio (130 miles), and Wabash (180 miles).
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PROGRAMS