2023 Illinois Compiled Statutes
Chapter 75 - LIBRARIES
75 ILCS 12/ - License to Read Act.

(75 ILCS 12/1)

Sec. 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the License to Read Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/5)

Sec. 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds:

• (1) It is in the best interests of the State for the State Librarian to be authorized to facilitate the acquisition and use of digital content by pooling the buying power of the Illinois' libraries and library systems and to provide e-books and e-audiobooks to patrons to the fullest extent possible.
• (2) This Act should be administered by the State Librarian to support all libraries within the State.
• (3) To achieve the purposes of this Act, the State Librarian should have the authority to make grants under this Act to assist libraries in providing access to e-books and e-audiobooks.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/10)

Sec. 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"E-audiobook" means an audio recording of a text document that is read out loud in an electronic format that is listened to on a computer, tablet, smart phone, or other electronic device.

"E-book" means a text document that has been converted into or published in an electronic format that is read on a computer, tablet, smart phone, or other electronic device.

"Library" means an entity that:

• (1) serves, either directly or through contractual services provided by another library, the basic information and library needs of its patrons through a bibliographically organized collection of library materials that has ongoing financial support and is accessible centrally;
• (2) is open at least 15 hours per week; and
• (3) is staffed by one or more employees serving as librarians working a minimum of 15 hours per week.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/15)

Sec. 15. Electronic licenses.

(a) The State Librarian may negotiate with publishers of e-books and e-audiobooks on behalf of libraries on reasonable terms that would enable libraries to acquire necessary licenses to provide library users with access to e-books or e-audiobooks.

(b) The reasonable terms under subsection (a) must include:

• (1) The number of users a library may simultaneously allow to access an e-book or e-audiobook.
• (2) The number of days a library may allow a user to access an e-book or e-audiobook.
• (3) The use of technological protection measures that would prevent a user from:
• (i) maintaining access to an e-book or e-audiobook beyond the access period specified in the license; and
• (ii) allowing other users to access an e-book or e-audiobook.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/20)

Sec. 20. License to Read Grants. The State Librarian may award grants that develop, expand, or support the acquisition of and access to e-books and e-audiobooks in Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/25)

Sec. 25. Fees and donations; License to Read Fund. The State Library may collect fees to provide the services and grants under this Act. The State Library may also receive donations or grants from the federal government, its agencies, or any other entity or person for the purposes of this Act. All funds received under this Section and appropriated by the General Assembly for implementation of this Act shall be deposited into the License to Read Fund, a special fund hereby created in the State treasury. The moneys in the Fund may be expended as provided in this Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/30)

Sec. 30. Assistance. To implement any part of this Act, the State Librarian may request any State agency, department, division, board, bureau, commission, or other entity or person to provide any services, assistance, or data that will enable the Office of the State Librarian to properly carry out the State Librarian's functions, powers, and duties under this Act. Those entities are authorized to provide any services, assistance, and data that will enable the State Librarian to properly carry out its functions, powers, and duties under this Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/35)

Sec. 35. Rules. The Office of the Secretary of State may adopt rules necessary for implementation of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)

(75 ILCS 12/85)

Sec. 85. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23; text omitted.)

(75 ILCS 12/90)

Sec. 90. (Amendatory provisions; text omitted).

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23; text omitted.)

(75 ILCS 12/99)

Sec. 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.

(Source: P.A. 103-267, eff. 6-30-23.)