Illinois State Library Services

 

The Illinois State Library provides you with services directly, through us, and in cooperation with other agencies.

• Ask?Away Illinois: Librarians are online 24/7 to answer questions and help you find information.

• FirstSearch: (Login required.) Through local libraries, the State Library provides most Illinois residents with access to archives of magazine articles and other research information. See our Online Library pages for access to specific resources.

• Talking Book and Braille Service: Provides audiobooks and Braille texts to residents who are blind, visually handicapped, or have other physical limitations or a reading disability.

• Find-It! Illinois: A portal for the State Library's online services, including the Illinois Government Information search engine, Illinois Digital Archives and Digital Illinois collections, Illinois Center for the Book/Illinois Authors, and more.

Website Guides

 

These sites are local, state, and other useful websites that have been chosen by your librarians.

• Village of Waterman

• Indian Creek School District

• DeKalb County Government Website

• Illinois Information

• State of Illinois

• U.S. Government's Official Web Portal

• I-PASS Registration

• The National DO NOT CALL Registry

 

These sites are directories of websites which have been selected and recommended by librarians. They are excellent starting points when you need good information about almost anything.

 

• Illinois CLICKS!: Links picked and organized by volunteer librarians in Illinois.

• Internet Public Library: Searchable directory run by a group of library schools.

Consumer Help

 

Find product and auto reviews, shopping tips, information about recalls, and consumer-protection agencies.

 

Buying Guides & General Advice

 

• Consumer Reports: A lot of free and useful information is available, but a paid subscription is required for product reviews and ratings.

• ConsumerSearch: "Reviewing the reviews." Compiles and analyzes product reviews from magazines and websites. Great starting point.

 

Cars & Trucks

 

• Car & Driver: Includes the magazine's road tests and reviews, interactive vehicle comparisons, and Kelley Blue Book values.

• Edmunds.com: Reviews, comparisons, price and value information, and tips for buying new or used vehicles.

• The Truth About Cars: Detailed reviews, written with a sense of humor.

 

Consumer Protection & Complaints

 

• AnnualCreditReport.com: The place to get a no-obligation, free copy of your credit report from all three major reporting companies.

• Better Business Bureau: Includes complaints against companies, fraud alerts, and general tips.

• Consumer Protection Division: Part of the Illinois Attorney General's office.

• Recalls.gov: Product recalls and safety information from the federal government.

Health Information

 

Reputable sources for information about health and medicine. (Items marked with ** require your library card number and catalog PIN for access from home.)

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• MedlinePlus: A medical super-site from the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health. Includes extensive information and links on hundreds of conditions and health issues, drug descriptions, a medical encyclopedia, surgery videos, and more.

• HealthFinder.gov: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' guide to health information.

Illinois & Local History

 

Online documents, photos, articles, and other information about the history of Illinois and the local area.

• Illinois Digital Archives: A portal to online exhibits and collections from libraries and museums across the state. A project of the Illinois State Library. Additional online collections are searchable through the Digital Illinois catalog.

• Illinois History Resource Page: Dozens of links, compiled by the Illinois State Historical Society.

• Cyndi's List - Illinois: Directory of genealogy and history websites. Also includes links for specific Illinois localities.