FAQ

Why are you changing the eRead Illinois platform?

The company that develops and manages the Boundless platform, Baker & Taylor, announced that they are winding down operations and sunsetting the Boundless platform by the end of 2025. Due to the sudden closure of Baker & Taylor, RAILS needs to immediately relocate our eRead Illinois program. RAILS is committed to continuing to offer a high-quality e-book and audiobook collection for libraries across Illinois.

Why Palace Project?

Like Boundless, the Palace Project offers an app where library users can discover, check out, and read or listen to library e-books and audiobooks. In addition to this functionality, Palace offers the following benefits:

The ability to aggregate content from multiple vendors into one patron facing app

The ability to purchase library e-content with more favorable licensing terms via the Palace Marketplace

The ability to purchase Audible audiobook titles in the Palace Marketplace

A way to diversify library e-content holdings across Illinois

Where can I learn more about The Palace Project?

Visit the Palace Project website.

Current eRead Illinois member libraries are invited to join us for an informational webinar

Monday, November 10, at 11 a.m.

Thursday, November 13, at 2 p.m.

What is the timeline for the eRead Illinois transition from Boundless to Palace?

The transition from Boundless to Palace Project will take place in two main parts; the content transfer and the library migration. RAILS is working with our vendor partners on implementing a detailed timeline for both. We hope to have the transition to Palace complete by December 2.

Will Boundless be going away and when?

Yes, Baker & Taylor will sunset the Boundless platform by the end of 2025. The Palace Project app will be available to library patrons once we migrate the eRead Illinois collection from the Boundless app to Palace and start onboarding eRead Illinois member libraries. Currently, the Boundless platform remains intact, but will be defunct as of November 17.

What will happen to library users holds, checkouts and checkout history?

Boundless users will lose active checkouts, holds and chieckout history when the transfer takes place.

Users will not be able to place holds or check items out after November 2.

The collection will migrate to the Palace Project app beginning November 17.

Patrons will have access to the eRead Illinois collection on the Palace Project app beginning December 2.

My library doesn't participate in eRead Illinois, can I still use Palace Project?

Yes! The Palace Project app will be available to every library in Illinois. Once all current eRead Illinois member libraries are onboarded, we will open Palace Project membership up to all libraries in Illinois.

Will everyone in Illinois have access to the eRead Illinois shared collection?

No. Libraries must join eRead Illinois in order to access the expansive shared collection. RAILS libraries and IHLS libraries not in SHARE can join eRead Illinois to gain access to the collection.

Can my library join eRead Illinois?

Yes! RAILS libraries and IHLS libraries who are not in SHARE may join eRead Illinois.

How does Palace Project work with my other e-content resources?

Libraries can opt to aggregate their e-content collections from other vendors into the Palace Project app. That means that users will be able to discover, checkout, read, and listen to e-content from several vendors all in the Palace Project app.

What vendors does Palace Project aggregate from?

OverDrive Libby, OCLC CloudLibrary and BiblioBoard inkie.org Library and more can all be integrated into the Palace Project app. Users will still have the option to access content through the individual apps, as well. Hoopla has opted not to participate in the Palace Project.

If our library aggregates our content into Palace, will users still be able to use Libby and/or CloudLibrary?

Yes! Users will be able to access the library's e-content via Libby, CloudLibrary or the app of their choice.

Will Palace Project work for K-12 schools?

The team is working on authentication solutions for schools. They are also working on a web-based solution, which is expected to be implemented by early 2026. RAILS will keep schools updated on the progress.

Does this FAQ have any information about Baker & Taylor’s physical book sales or book distribution?

No, RAILS does not have any involvement in Baker & Taylor’s distribution or sale of physical books.

What will happen to my Unbound collection/e-content my library purchased directly from B&T?

You can opt to transfer that content to the Palace Project app OR to another app of your choosing. Just like the Unbound program, this content will only be available to your users. RAILS can work with you if you opt to transfer the content to Palace.

Did RAILS consider other vendors for the eRead Illinois program?

RAILS staff met with representatives from several e-content platform vendors.