Schmaling Memorial Public Library provides free access to e-books through the eRead Illinois Program.

As of September 26 or 27, 2023, eRead Illinois will transition from the Axis360 app to the Boundless app. Users should receive instructions via email for downloading the new app.

Discover a world of possibilities with Boundless, an extensive collection of ebooks, audio and digital media. Whether you’re an avid reader or someone who listens to audio at 2x speed, Boundless is your gateway to the best in digital content and programming.

Access our digital library from the comfort of your own device, so you can read, learn and explore wherever you are. The My Shelf feature is a personalized page for all of your checkouts. You can also view specially curated carousels and content based on your reading activities and interests.  With insights, goals and badges, you can set personal reading goals, track your progress and earn badges!

Boundless makes it easy for the whole family to get involved in reading. Once you download the app or use the web version, you can create user profiles within your account. Sign up all members of your family with teen and kid friendly experiences!

Key Features

• Ebooks and audio access
• Streaming videos
• PDF activities as well as video books
• Hit your personal reading goals and earn badges!
• View specially curated carousels and digital content based on reading activity and interests!

All you need to access Boundless is your library card! Download the app in your preferred app store today!

What is eRead Illinois?

The eRead Illinois program focuses on

• Expanding access to e-books for Illinois residents
• Training on e-books for libraries to better serve their communities
• Exploring further opportunities for increasing access to e-books through collaboration with Illinois authors, libraries, publishers, and other organizations

eRead Illinois includes an e-book collection and Axis 360 software platform from Baker & Taylor for RAILS members and IHLS non-SHARE members. Participating IHLS libraries that are members of the SHARE catalog use cloudLibrary.

Nearly 900 RAILS and IHLS libraries currently participate in eRead Illinois on the Axis 360 platform, and over 150 IHLS SHARE libraries have joined the cloudLibrary cohort.

The eRead Illinois program also includes live trainings and webinars for participating libraries.

Chicago Public Library has its own e-books program and is not included in the eRead Illinois project.

History of eRead Illinois

In 2013, the Illinois Secretary of State and Illinois State Library awarded a $985,219 grant to the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and the Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) for the “E-books for Illinois” Program, named eRead Illinois. The grant program ended in May 2015.

The grant included:

• An e-book collection and Axis 360 software platform from Baker & Taylor for RAILS members and IHLS members that do not participate in SHARE
• An e-book collection and the cloudLibrary platform for IHLS libraries that belong to SHARE
• Research into a self-hosted model (second year of grant)
• Funds for hiring two e-book trainers/coordinators – one for RAILS and one for IHLS
• Training on e-books for participating libraries
• A website to include promotional and support materials, and a list of free e-book resources
• Assistance to participating libraries in promoting the project to their patrons

Sustainability

The eRead Illinois program charged member fees from the beginning of the grant to ensure the program was sustainable past the grant period. eRead Illinois is now sustained by member fees from participating libraries.