The Illinois State Library has selected EBSCO Information Services to provide a comprehensive collection of research databases for the state’s first statewide digital library program. The initiative makes licensed digital content available to academic, public, school, and special libraries across Illinois. Resources include newspapers, magazines, scholarly journals, e‑books, video collections, and other materials designed to support education, research, and lifelong learning.
The agreement covers a wide range of subject areas, from general reference and specialized research to auto repair, education, and readers’ advisory. It also includes an e‑learning suite that supports career exploration, standardized test preparation, academic achievement, and skills development.
Officials indicated that the databases align with the state’s goal of providing tools that promote personal, professional, and academic success. The program extends access to 137 academic agencies with 181 libraries, 641 public libraries with 808 branches, 795 school districts with 3,679 school libraries, and 145 special libraries.
Residents can access these resources through platforms such as EBSCOhost®, EBSCO Discovery Service™, NoveList®, and Explora™, which provide statewide authentication and user‑friendly research tools. The Illinois State Library emphasized that the databases are intended to serve as reliable resources for effective research and learning.
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