TRY-IT! Illinois Free Database Trials

As teachers continue to use digital sources for their curriculum, Hannah and I want to remind you to keep databases in mind. We think there is no better way to look for articles than to use the state database trial that’s going on now.
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​Thanks to a service called Try-It! Illinois, every year, vendors offer up their databases for us to use – for free – until November 30. Please take some time to scan and explore the list of hundreds of databases. For instance, there’s one called Access World News Research Collection 2021, another called Teen Health and Wellness: Real Life, Real Answers, and one called Feature Films for Education.  

​If you find a database you like, let us know. We’ll consider purchasing a subscription for the next school year. In the meantime, the trial period is a great time to search for and save articles you can use in your classes now. Many of the databases even allow you to filter based on Lexile levels. If you would like help looking for articles, please reach out to Barb or Hannah.

To gain access, just click on the database trial link. Feel free to share the link and our database passwords document with your students. 
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​Special thanks to the Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White and the Illinois State Library for providing this opportunity.