Illinois Libraries Present

The following events are made possible by Illinois Libraries Present, a statewide collaboration between public libraries which offers high-quality events for member libraries of all sizes and budgets.

ILP Season 5

Kenji López-Alt: A Journey Through Food and Science
Tuesday, November 18 at 7 PM

Bringing History to Life with Jonathan Eig
Tuesday, January 13, 2026

A Chilling and Thrilling Evening with R.L. Stine
Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Beyond the Page with Percival Everett
Thursday, March 19, 2026

Cristina Henríquez: Voice, Culture, and Human Connection
Thursday, April 16, 2026

Babel-On with Rebecca F. Kuang
Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Previous Seasons

About Illinois Libraries Present

Illinois Libraries Present is a statewide collaboration among public libraries offering high-quality events. Illinois Libraries Present is funded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library, a Department of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services, under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Illinois Libraries Present consists of over 200 public libraries across the state who have joined together to provide high-quality online events at equitable prices for member libraries of all sizes and budgets. It connects communities and audiences across the state through shared event experiences. 

Goals:

  • To provide high-quality, high-profile events that highlight national names and social justice/DEI issues, that would otherwise be cost-prohibitive for single libraries to hold on their own.

  • To reduce costs and maximize reach by taking advantage of both virtual event platforms and the collective buying power of Illinois public libraries.

  • To allow access to all libraries as equitably as possible, by aligning each library’s cost to participate with the size of their operating budget.

  • To define clear and distinct roles among Illinois Libraries Present committees and the participating libraries, including patron contact points, marketing, invoicing, etc.

Patron FAQ


What platform is used for the live event and registration?

  • Events take place on Zoom.


Will this program be recorded?

  • Yes. Event recordings will be accessible to registered attendees for a limited time, typically up to 30 days, as per contractual agreements with the speaker. 


Where will the recording be posted?

  • On YouTube. The link will be emailed to Zoom registrants (those who attended the live event and those who did not). The email will come directly from Zoom and will include the final date to view the recording.


When will the recording be posted?

Within 5 days of the program (pending actual post-production time). It will be viewable typically up to 30 days from the post date.