Listed below are other organizations that provide services for Illinois Health Science Librarians or services to libraries in Illinois. Not every organization will be relevant to every HSLI member, but there should be several that offer educational, financial, or networking opportunities that fit the needs of individual HSLI members. National organizations are beyond the scope of this list.
Regional Organizations and Associations
Network of the National Libraries of Medicine, Region 6
NNLM Membership is at the library level. Membership is free and open to all types of libraries. The GMR offers educational opportunities, funding awards, a listserv, and technical support for some National Library of Medicine services, such as DOCLINE. All HSLI members are encouraged to join if their institution is not already a member.
website: https://www.nnlm.gov/about/regions/region6
Midwest Chapter Medical Library Association
Membership in the Midwest Chapter is independent of membership in the Medical Library Association and is open to individuals. The Midwest Chapter holds a semi-annual conference and provides a listserv for members.
website: https://mcmla45.wildapricot.org/
Statewide Organizations
Illinois State Library
The Illinois State Library provides funding and programs for all types of Illinois libraries and is the administrative unit that provides state funding for library systems. Of particular interest to HSLI members are OCLC Services, which includes a statewide cataloging subscription. Participation in the OCLC Services program requires library system membership. See entries below for RAILS and IHLS for library system membership details. The State Library also administers Try-It! Illinois, an annual state-wide trial for a large number of electronic resources.
website: https://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/libraries/home.html
Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois (CARLI)
CARLI membership is open to all institutions that are recognized by the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) and that are a member of their Illinois regional library system. See the CARLI website for membership categories and requirements. Services offered include delivery, brokered group purchasing, continuing education, networking, and the I-Share catalog.
website: https://www.carli.illinois.edu/
Statewide Professional Associations
Illinois Library Association (ILA)
Membership is open to individuals and institutions. A personal membership is required for participation in forums and committees. ILA hosts an annual conference and supports library advocacy.
website: https://www.ila.org/
Illinois Association of College and Research Libraries (IACRL)
IACRL is a forum of ILA and a personal ILA membership is required for membership in IACRL. There is no additional fee to join IACRL. IACRL offers a semi-annual conference, listserv, and newsletter.
website: https://www.ila.org/forum/1/illinois-association-of-college-research-libraries-forum-iacrl
Special Library Association (SLA) Illinois Chapter
Membership in the Illinois Chapter requires membership in SLA.
website: https://connect.sla.org/illinois/home
Illinois Regional Organizations
Illinois Library Systems
From the RAILS website: Library systems are established by state law (75 ILCS 10/, the Illinois Library System Act). Funding for Illinois Library Systems is provided through the Illinois State Library and the Secretary of State, with funds appropriated by the Illinois General Assembly.
Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)
RAILS serves approximately 1300 academic, public, school, and special library agencies in northern and west-central Illinois. Our services include interlibrary delivery, shared catalog support, continuing education, consulting, talking books advisory service, shared e-book collection, cooperative purchasing, and more.
website: https://www.railslibraries.info/
Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS)
IHLS provides delivery and automation (online catalog software) to the libraries of southern and parts of central Illinois, as well as certain grant program services, such as the Cataloging Maintenance Center to libraries statewide.
website: http://www.illinoisheartland.org/
Regional Consortia
Originally organized decades ago by the Regional Medical Library Network of the National Library of Medicine to facilitate resource sharing, regional consortia now operate independently. Consortia offer their members opportunities for continuing education and professional networking.
East Central Illinois Consortium (ECIC)
ECIC covers Champaign, Coles, and Vermilion counties. Meets quarterly. Consortium Coordinator: Frances-Drone Silvers
Capitol Area Consortium (CAC)
CAC covers the Springfield and Jacksonville areas.