*****By providing links to other sites, Prairie Skies Public Library District does not guarantee, approve, or endorse the information or products available on these sites. Every effort is made to check the validity of the information provided by the site.*****
Books, articles, etc.
Digital Public Library of America
The Digital Public Library of America empowers people to learn, grow, and contribute to a diverse and better-functioning society. We do this by maximizing public access to our shared history, culture, and knowledge.
OCLC Worldcat
WorldCat is the world's largest network of library content and services. WorldCat libraries are dedicated to providing access to their resources on the Web, where most people start their search for information. You can search for popular books, music CDs and videos—all of the physical items you're used to getting from libraries. You can also discover many new kinds of digital content, such as downloadable audiobooks. You may also find article citations with links to their full text; authoritative research materials, such as documents and photos of local or historic significance; and digital versions of rare items that aren't available to the public. Because WorldCat libraries serve diverse communities in dozens of countries, resources are available in many languages.
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, with millions of books, recordings, photographs, newspapers, maps and manuscripts in its collections. The Library is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.
The Library preserves and provides access to a rich, diverse and enduring source of knowledge to inform, inspire and engage you in your intellectual and creative endeavors. Whether you are new to the Library of Congress or an experienced researcher, they have a world-class staff ready to assist you online and in person.
Goodreads
What are your friends reading? Chances are your friends are discussing their favorite (and least favorite) books on Goodreads. Want to learn more....
Google Books
Search the world's most comprehensive index of full-text books.
Gnooks
Type in a favorite author and get a "cloud" of similar authors. The ones closest to the author in the center are close hits but the others may be similar and broaden your reading! It part of Gnod a new way to discover new books, music, movies and more.
Inkie.org
Libraries have a vibrant role to play in helping communities come together to create and share books. Inkie.org is a suite of resources that supports local authors with online creation and publishing tools and allows readers to access locally-produced content. These resources, Pressbooks, Indie Author Project Select, and the Biblioboard Library, are free to anyone in Illinois.
Open Culture
Open Culture brings together high-quality cultural & educational media for the worldwide lifelong learning community. Web 2.0 has given us great amounts of intelligent audio and video. It’s all free. It’s all enriching. But it’s also scattered across the web, and not easy to find. Our whole mission is to centralize this content, curate it, and give you access to this high quality content whenever and wherever you want it.
Elections and politics
Ballotpedia
Ballotpedia is the digital encyclopedia of American politics and elections. Our goal is to inform people about politics by providing accurate and objective information about politics at all levels of government. We are firmly committed to neutrality in our content; here's why.
As a nonprofit, our mission is to educate. We're here for you when:
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You're considering a run for office.
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You're making decisions about how you'll vote in an election.
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You need the latest political news and analysis from a reliable, nonpartisan source.
Ballotpedia's articles are 100 percent written by our professional staff of more than 50 writers and researchers. Although we have an office in Middleton, Wisconsin, the majority of our staff work from home offices across the United States. Geoff Pallay serves as the Editor-in-Chief of Ballotpedia.
Farming
Center for rural affairs
We are unapologetically rural. We stand up for the small family farmer and rancher, new business owner, and rural communities.
Farm Commons
We are all stronger when we work together. When farmers and attorneys share knowledge, the entire local food system moves forward. Farm Commons fosters the discussions and connections that build a strong legal backbone for our community.
The Land Connection
Mission
The Land Connection trains farmers in resilient, restorative farming techniques; informs the public about the sources of our food and why that matters; and works to protect and enhance farmland so that we, and generations to come, will have clean air and water, fertile soil, and healthy, delicious food.
Vision
The Land Connection envisions community-based food systems in which every farmer has the opportunity to grow food in a sustainable manner, and every person can access local and organic foods.
University of Illinois Extension Local Food Systems & Small Farms Team!
This is our one-stop-shop for production resources, events calendars, and program registrations. Please look around and take advantage of all the resources available here. Contact your local Educator with any questions, concerns, or suggestions that can help us better reach out to the local food and small farm communities!
Genealogy and local history
Cass County Historical and Genealogical Society
Located in Virginia the county seat of Cass County, IL. They have different resources and volunteers that can help with your research. The Office is open April through October.
Hours: Thursday and Friday 1pm - 4pm
Saturdays – 10:00 am – noon
Illinois Digital Archives
The Illinois Digital Archives (IDA) was created in 2000, as a repository for the digital collections of the Illinois State Library as well as other libraries and cultural institutions in the State of Illinois.
What can you find in the Illinois Digital Archives?
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Photographs, slides, glass negatives
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Oral histories
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Manuscripts and letters
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Federal government documents
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Postcards
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Posters
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Videos
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Newspapers
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Maps
and much more.
IL GenWeb Project
ILGenWeb isn’t an ordinary genealogy website. Ordinary websites are those where text and sometimes pretty pictures are present, but trying to get in touch with a real person to help you with your research… impossible. The strength of ILGenWeb is its many volunteers, some of whom have spent over a decade assisting others with their Illinois research.
Sangamon County Historical Society
The Sangamon County Historical Society is devoted to preserving and promoting the history of central Illinois.
The US GenWeb project
The USGenWeb Project consists of a group of volunteers working together to provide Internet websites for genealogical research in every county and every state of the United States. The Project is non-commercial and fully committed to free access for everyone. Organization is by county and state, and this website provides you with links to all the state websites which, in turn, provide gateways to the counties.
Help with Life sites
The Rental Assistance Program - Although the Illinois Rental Payment Program (ILRPP) is closed and not currently accepting new applications, there is more funding coming. Referrals can be made to this site, which will have information on both DHS and IHDA rent programs.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Look-Up Tool connects people with local programs that may help with rent and utilities.
Driving tests.org
These practice tests are good for the permit test, driver’s license test and the senior citizens’ refresher test. The written part of those tests at all Illinois DMV locations is the same.
A free resource that provides comprehensive information on topics like financial support and assisted living options that are available in the area from www.caring.com
https://www.payingforseniorcare.com/illinois
A valuable reference for your senior readers in discovering the financial costs, assistance and options available for assisted living and home care that suits their needs within your state.
According to the NIH, individuals with cerebral palsy have a 75% increased risk of developing noncommunicable diseases such as cancer. Individuals with cerebral palsy already face tremendous obstacles in overcoming their disabilities, a cancer diagnosis can be incredibly disheartening to receive. It's important for families to educate themselves on common risk factors those with cerebral palsy face. https://www.cerebralpalsyguide.com/cerebral-palsy/coexisting-conditions/cancer/
Helpful government sites
Gardner Township
Find information on office hours, contact information, township services, township officials, and more.
Village of Ashland
Locate village services contact information, read village news, and browse sections for businesses, residents, and visitors.
Village of Pleasant Plains
Find village services contact information and links to the schools and library; view announcements; and browse listings of local businesses.
Federal tax forms
Find, download and print Federal taxforms.
Illinois State tax forms
Find, download and print state tax forms.
U. S. Government Publishing Office
The U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO) is the Federal Government’s official, digital, secure resource for producing, procuring, cataloging, indexing, authenticating, disseminating, and preserving the official information products of the U.S. Government. The GPO is responsible for the production and distribution of information products and services for all three branches of the Federal Government, including U.S. passports for the Department of State as well as the official publications of Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies in digital and print formats. GPO provides for permanent public access to Federal Government information at no charge through our govinfo website, partnerships with approximately 1,150 libraries nationwide participating in the Federal Depository Library Program, and our secure online bookstore.
Social Security
This site is a trustworthy source for information about your Social Security benefits. It provides calculators to help you plan your retirement, a frequently asked questions (FAQ) section and a place where you can check on your social security.
Medicare
Official government site for Medicare.
Healthcare.gov
The HealthCare.gov website provides direct links to the insurance marketplace in each state with its own program in place. Based on previous years’ precedent, you can determine whether that applies to your state. If you are uncertain, you can quickly discern whether your state has its own marketplace or participates in the federal program by visiting the Healthcare.gov landing page.
For Kids.....
Great websites for kids
From the American Library Association (ALA). Children's librarians evaluate and recommend the best websites for kids and parents.
Switcheroo Zoo
Watch, listen and play games to learn all about animals.
National Geographic Kids
Play games, watch videos, learn about animals, places and get fun facts
Into the book
Into the Book is a reading comprehension resource for elementary students and teachers. We focus on eight research-based strategies: Using Prior Knowledge, Making Connections, Questioning, Visualizing, Inferring, Summarizing, Evaluating and Synthesizing. Try the online interactive activities, or click below to find out how to get our engaging 15-minute video programs.
Languages
Live lingua
The Live Lingua project is part of our commitment to helping as many people as possible learn a foreign language, even if they can't afford our paid lessons with our online English tutors & Spanish tutors. Part of the earnings from Live Lingua go to hosting, maintaining and constantly updating this area. This project is the internet's largest collection of free public domain language learning materials. It hosts thousands of free ebooks, audios and videos for over 130 languages from around the world. One of our missions is to make language learning accessible to everybody. Enjoy.
Legal help sites
Eviction Help Illinois is a new program that offers free legal help for Illinois residents facing potential eviction and landlords not represented by a lawyer. Program flyers are available in English and Spanish.
Free legal Documents
Free Legal Documents provides detailed information with every contract listed in its archives. The site offers how-to’s and raw descriptions for every party involved in the creation of a contract. This information is entirely free, and you don’t even have to sign up for anything. To print out the forms you must highlight, copy and paste it into a word document where you can edit the information. This site is not a replacement for actual legal counsel.
Illinois Legal Aid Online
Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO) was formed in March 2001 by 12 partner organizations as a unique and unprecedented statewide collaboration of legal services providers, funding entities, the private bar, and law schools. ILAO made it's online debut in July 2001 by launching two websites, one for lower-income people seeking legal help and one for legal aid lawyers and pro bono legal professionals. In 2012, a Spanish-language site was deployed to serve Illinois' growing Spanish-speaking community.
Medical sites
Simmons Cancer Institute at Southern Illinois University (SIU) is a community-based patient care, research, education and outreach program established to improve cancer care.
Medline Plus
MedlinePlus is a service of the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the world's largest medical library, which is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
Our mission is to present high-quality, relevant health and wellness information that is trusted, easy to understand, and free of advertising, in both English and Spanish. Anywhere, anytime, on any device—for free.
WebMD
WebMD provides valuable health information, tools for managing your health, and support to those who seek information. You can trust that our content is timely and credible.