New state program will expand access by libraries to digital databases
for research, education
[June 13, 2026]
By Nikoel Hytrek and UIS Public Affairs Reporting (PAR)
Illinoisans now will have access to a large collection of high-quality
digital information and educational resources for free by going to their
local library or the Illinois State Library’s website.
The Illinois Reliable Information Sources, or IRIS, program was
announced Tuesday by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. The state
entered a contract with EBSCO Information Services — a digital library
resource program used by universities, schools and libraries — to
provide access to more than 50 of their databases to all Illinois
residents.
It could not be immediately determined how much money went into program.
While it’s common for libraries to have resources for research, not all
libraries are able to pay for these kinds of services.
“Access to reliable information should not depend on a person’s ZIP code
or the financial resources of their local library,” Giannoulias said in
a news release. “This investment will ensure every Illinois resident has
access to educational, professional and personal enrichment resources
while helping libraries stretch limited budgets and better serve their
communities.”
The new service includes free access to online databases with e-books,
peer-reviewed journals, magazines, newspapers and research databases.
Those collections include a diverse range of topics such as business,
education, health, technology, science and more.
The program is also available for academic libraries, which means
students and educators will be able to use these databases for research
projects and instruction.
Libraries that already subscribe to other digital information services
will be able to use this program and redirect the subscription money to
other needs.
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The homepage for the Illinois Reliable Information Sources, or IRIS,
program, a new source for finding digital informational and research
databases through your local library or the State Library website.
(courtesy Illinois State Library)
Illinois libraries are funded by a mix of property taxes and state and
federal grants. Librarians have said it’s often difficult to decide what
to prioritize when budgets get tight, and many Illinois libraries have
reported they don’t offer online database subscriptions.
As part of last year’s budget implementation bill, Giannoulias advocated
for expanded eligibility for Equalization Aid Grants to support more
public libraries across the state. That effort increased the number of
libraries receiving these grants from 17 to 108.
According to the Reaching Across Illinois Library System, a regional
library system that serves libraries in northern and west-central
Illinois, approximately one million Illinoisans live without access to
public library services, and this program will cover them, too.
“This statewide database will have a profound impact on libraries,” Amy
Byers, library director for Chatham Public Library and former president
of the Illinois Library Association, said. “It will help us expand
services and continue to provide great resources to our patrons without
having to weigh the option of having good, quality online resources.”
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coverage to hundreds of news outlets statewide. It is funded primarily
by the Illinois Press Foundation and the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. |
