Inkie.org Library
Through the Inkie.org Library, RAILS provides everyone in Illinois with access to the e-books and other content in the Indie Illinois and Illinois Libraries Community collections free of charge. No library card is required for access.
Statewide Online Database Access Proposal
RAILS developed a proposal for a suite of online resources that would be available without charge to all Illinois libraries and their patrons, as well as the over 1 million residents who currently do not receive public library service.
Support for the program would come from the Illinois State Library's (ISL) budget. ISL is a department of the Office of the Secretary of State.
RAILS also developed talking points library staff could use to advocate for the proposal.
The Illinois Library Association (ILA) Executive Board approved Statewide Access to Online Resources as a legislative priority for 2023.
In November 2022, then Illinois Secretary of State-Elect Alexi Giannoulias created nine policy committees, including a Library Enhancements Committee, to develop action plans for his administration.
The Library Enhancements Committee recommended using the Illinois State Library budget to "provide statewide library resources (i.e., databases) to increase access to information and relieve budget-burdened libraries."
RAILS will keep members informed of the latest developments with the Proposal for Statewide Access to Online Resources via this web page.