Featured
PressReader
Featuring over 7,000 magazines and newspapers from around the world, PressReader is the exclusive provider of The Economist for public libraries. View the RAILS PressReader page for discounts, pricing details, and to order. New subscribers receive early access leading up to a July 1 start.
Chicago Tribune Digital
Public libraries can provide your patrons with access to online content at chicagotribune.com, access to an E-Edition copy of the current newspaper, and a searchable web archive. For discounted pricing, subscription details, and order form, view the RAILS Chicago Tribune digital page.
New! WhoFi
RAILS public libraries are eligible for discounts on the WhoFi suite of resource, including event calendar, room reservation, data collection, and WiFi analytics software, integrating key tools to elevate service and streamline work. View the RAILS WhoFi page for more information and pricing.
EBSCO Supplemental Resources
Signup or renew for EBSCO 2026 packages and resources to supplement the free Illinois State Library Statewide E-Resource Package.
K–12 Libraries | Orders due by May 1
Public Libraries | Orders are due by May 15
Discounts on Library Materials and Collection Services
The RAILS team partners with print material vendors to bring discounts to RAILS members. View the print materials vendor chart for a comparison of vendors and discounts available.
Barnes & Noble &Classwork | Bound to Stay Bound Books | Brodart | Center Point Large Print | Ingram Content Group | Libraria | Mackin | MicroMarketing | Midwest Tape | The Penworthy Company
Digital Accessibility Resources
Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires public entities including libraries to ensure that web content and mobile apps are accessible to people with disabilities. Accessibility requirements extend to any third-party content that are provided by the library through contractual or licensing agreements, such as e-resources and databases. RAILS has compiled resources to help libraries evaluate products and communicate with vendors.
RAILS Digital Accessibility Pulse Page
RAILS Vendor Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) Repository
Library Accessibility Alliance Evaluations, Sample Language for Contacting Vendors
Statewide E-Resource Package
View the list of the EBSCO databases provided by the Illinois State Library (PDF) through the statewide database package. For questions about the new statewide e-resource program, contact Suzanna Jones, ISL Library Program Specialist at sjones@ilsos.gov, 217-785-7334. For a background on this project, please visit the RAILS E-Resource Program Pulse page.
Online High School Diploma Programs
Career Online High School and Gale: Excel Adult High School are online high school diploma programs that enable libraries to offer adult learners accredited high school diplomas. Participating libraries only pay for student scholarships, and RAILS/IHLS libraries qualify for a volume discount.
Career Online High School information and pricing (login required)
Gale: Excel Adult High School information and pricing (login required)
Group Purchases
Group Purchases are negotiated, managed, or otherwise mediated by us, and participation is available for RAILS members.
eRead Illinois | Statewide Shared Collection of E-Books and E-Audiobooks
Pricing
For information about the transition to Palace Project, visit: https://ereadillinois.com/transition
For pricing and other information, visit the eRead Illinois website: https://ereadillinois.com