The libraries of communities across Illinois are known for their quality, service, and willingness to share materials

The libraries of communities across Illinois are known for their quality, service, and willingness to share materials. The creation of library systems in Illinois has been a key factor.

Fifty years ago this summer, the establishment of library systems, or collections of public, academic, school, and special libraries in a geographic area, were signed into law. This had an immeasurable impact on the level of service that Illinois library patrons enjoy today.

“With systems, patrons have access to a huge number of items from a large group of libraries,” said Lynn Armstrong, a longtime reference librarian at Lumpkin Learning Commons at Blackburn College in Carlinville. “It’s not just the holdings at their own library, or at the one nearby. Systems allow ease of access for customers, and helps libraries work together in collaboration, to save money and improve efficiency.”

The late 1950s and early 1960s were a golden era in public library development, as the Public Library Law of 1956 and subsequent Library Services Act laid the groundwork for improving library service to all Americans. Illinois has long been at the forefront of library development, and in the 1960s, cooperative library systems were a popular topic.

The Illinois plan was devised by Robert Rohlf, one of the nation’s top library administrators, and sought to improve service to Illinois library patrons at the lowest possible cost.

Rohlf stressed that “the public library is primarily an education institution, and education has long been the responsibility of the state,” meaning that state and local governments should share the cost of ensuring “a minimum level of library service” for all residents.

The idea of library systems was not new. Twenty-eight states had taken such a measure, but few would do it better than Illinois.

Rohlf recommended dividing the state into areas of either a minimum 150,000 residents or 4,000 square miles. These systems would adhere to a “principle of voluntary cooperation, local initiative, and local control” to serve a “demand for reference,” which Rohlf considered the most important service libraries could provide.

A library system was defined by its ability to levy taxes or receive financial support from either the state or from member libraries with dues. The systems plan also encouraged the pooling resources. In the old days, libraries often held the same books and materials as nearby libraries, which Rohlf considered a waste of money.

With systems, he argued, libraries could build book and material collections to serve a larger area, not just their communities. In that sense, a library patron is actually served by an entire system, not just their local library.

Interlibrary loan, or the sharing of books, films, and other holdings between libraries, was key to a successful system, since libraries would provide materials to others upon request. Rohlf believed this would avoid duplication of materials, as it was impractical for multiple libraries to carry the same holdings if they could be borrowed elsewhere.

The systems plan received a groundswell of support from the Illinois Library Association, and in the state legislature, backing was bipartisan and overwhelming. The plan passed the Illinois House with only three “no” votes, and in the Senate with only a single dissenting vote. On Aug. 17, 1965, Gov. Otto Kerner signed Illinois library systems into law.

Armstrong points to the sharing of library materials as a top benefit.

“Systems help libraries work together to create unique holdings, and fosters the sharing of library resources,” she said. “In many cases, libraries will talk informally among themselves when they decide what to buy, so they don’t all end up with the same materials. They can build a unique collection that can be easily accessed by other libraries, which saves time and money for everyone.”

Spencer Brayton, the director of Lumpkin, adds that systems create other opportunities for smaller public and academic libraries.

“Systems also connect us to other libraries,” said Brayton. “For libraries in small rural areas like us, it allows us to network with libraries to discuss issues like policies, processes, and things that the public doesn’t always see. It really gives us a great system of support.”

Originally, 18 library systems were created in Illinois, but as technology like FAXes and e-mail made the world a smaller place, such a high number was deemed unnecessary. Several systems were merged from 1992-94, and the number was reduced to 12. Further mergers dropped the number to nine in 2004 and to three in 2011.

Today, the Illinois Heartland Library System covers the southern half of the state, while Reaching Across Illinois Library Systems (RAILS), a takeoff on the mergers of smaller systems, supports the northern part of Illinois. A third system caters to libraries in the Chicagoland area.

Recently, Illinois libraries have introduced Polaris, a software system that allows library patrons with online access to manage their own accounts, and order their own interlibrary loan materials, within their home library systems.

“That’s been a real advancement,” said Armstrong. “Now, patrons can sit at home on a Saturday evening, think of something they’d like to read, and order it right then. It allows even greater access for patrons, and shows what library systems can do in today’s world.”

Tom Emery is a freelance writer and historical researcher from Carlinville, Ill. He may be reached at 217-710-8392 or ilcivilwar@yahoo.com

— Illinois library systems celebrate 50 years —