Advocacy Blog

Des Plaines Public Library has a key belief “that all library users are entitled to the highest level of service.” For us, the highest level of service would not be complete without offerings for users of all abilities. Advancing Accessibility Through the Library of Things While our Library of...

With a collection age of 2008, the South Park School nonfiction collection was out-of-date and not relevant to the interests of twenty-first century elementary students. Almost one third of the books in the collection had not circulated at all in the past five years, or had only circulated once. The...

“Hi!” A young woman, probably in her twenties, approached the Adult Services desk with an eager smile. “This might sound like a weird question, but could you help me find a newspaper from about fifteen years ago? There’s a photo of me sledding that ran in the Bartlett Examiner. I even have the exact...

The RAILS Cataloging Membership Grant is available to member libraries to support the operations and growth of shared catalog consortia, or Local Library System Automation Programs (LLSAPs). The Catalog Membership Grant aims to increase membership in RAILS LLSAPs by funding startup costs, such as...

Logos may act as the first opportunity for patrons to connect with the library. Found on bookmarks, signage, websites, and other outreach materials, a well-designed logo is a tool to aid the public perception of the library. So, what does an effective library logo look like? What considerations do...

When a major construction project kicked off behind the Vernon Area Public Library in Lincolnshire, our staff saw more than just traffic cones and heavy machinery. We recognized an opportunity to live out one of our core values: "All Are Welcome Here." Crews were expected to be in our neighborhood...

As a multiuse element of branding, logos may act as the first opportunity for patrons to connect with the library. Found on bookmarks, signage, websites, and other outreach materials, a well-designed logo is a tool to aid the public perception of the library. Recognizability and accessibility are...

RAILS delivery is arguably one of the most crucial services provided to member libraries and one of the most recognizable parts of RAILS' services. According to our RAILS: Numbers that Count data, “In 2024, our 46-delivery staff produced a 2813% return on investment by delivering 7.9 million items...

As a multiuse element of branding, logos may act as the first opportunity for patrons to connect with the library. Found on bookmarks, signage, websites, and other outreach materials, a well-designed logo is a tool to aid the public perception of the library. Recognizability and accessibility are...

RAILS Delivery is arguably one of the most crucial services provided to member libraries and one of the most recognizable parts of RAILS' services. According to our RAILS: Numbers that Count data, “In 2024, our 46-delivery staff produced a 2813% return on investment by delivering 7.9 million items...

As a multiuse element of branding, logos may act as the first opportunity for patrons to connect with the library. Found on bookmarks, signage, websites, and other outreach materials, a well-designed logo is a tool to aid the public perception of the library. Recognizability and accessibility are...

RAILS delivery is arguably one of the most crucial services provided to member libraries and one of the most recognizable parts of RAILS' services. According to our RAILS: Numbers that Count data, “In 2024, our 46-delivery staff produced a 2813% return on investment by delivering 7.9 million items...

As a multiuse element of branding, logos may act as the first opportunity for patrons to connect with the library. Found on bookmarks, signage, websites, and other outreach materials, a well-designed logo is a tool to aid the public perception of the library. Recognizability and accessibility are...

RAILS delivery is arguably one of the most crucial services provided to member libraries and one of the most recognizable parts of RAILS' services. According to our RAILS: Numbers that Count data, “In 2024, our 46-delivery staff produced a 2813% return on investment by delivering 7.9 million items...

With help from the RAILS My Library Is… Grant, Beach Park Middle School library has been able to support their new student advisement period. Last year, Beach Park Middle School started a student-choice incentivizing advisory period, where students learn a new activity every 6 weeks. Dependent on...