News from RAILS & Libraries

After a successful L2 Signup Month, RAILS is continuing to spread the word about Library Directory & Learning Calendar (L2)—the statewide calendar and membership database for library staff and trustees. We’re excited to share our brand-new L2 Signup poster that highlights: Who can have an L2 account...

From the My Library Is... Blog: 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...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Aikman Wildlife Adventure in Arcola! Zebras in the Midwest?! YES!! Aikman Wildlife Adventure is a wildlife sanctuary located in Arcola, Illinois. Our mission is to...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Bloomington Bison Hockey in Bloomington! The Bloomington Bison are a professional ice hockey team that plays in the ECHL, the premier professional AA hockey...

As part of the Orland Park Public Library’s celebration of Native American Heritage Month, the library is proud to host author Nick Medina for an engaging author talk on Tuesday, November 11, at 6:30 p.m. in Large Meeting Room 104. Born in Chicago and a member of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 💡 What we learned during conference season 📱 The new platform that will host eRead Illinois ⚖️ Library legislation we’re keeping an eye on 🛒 The latest merch available in the RAILS Online store Relevant Links: Can’t Shelve This (Live...

Due to the recent and abrupt closure of Baker & Taylor, the Boundless app, which hosts the eRead Illinois collection, is being discontinued. While a transition of this size would typically take months, we are moving quickly to ensure you and your patrons experience minimal interruption to your use...

From the My Library Is... Blog: 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...

We invite all levels of staff from any type of RAILS library to join the online RAILS Member Update on Wednesday, November 12, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Topics include an Illinois library legislative update, a discussion of what's next for eRead Illinois, and some news from Find More Illinois. An agenda is...

Gail Borden Library Reveals New Fall Exhibit Dinosaur Explorer ELGIN, IL – (October 21, 2025) – Dinosaur Explorer is an all-new traveling exhibition that explores the wildest, wackiest, and most wonderous dinosaurs and examines human physiology through the lens of these magnificent creatures. This...

Season two, episode three of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. What’s it really like to be a brand-new school librarian? In “Diary of a First-Year School Librarian,” Janette and Leah chat with Mary Alice Maloney (Charles J. Sahs School Librarian) as...

On Saturday, September 27, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library welcomed over 200 guests for One Book, One Gala, a special after-hours event inspired by New York City’s iconic Met Gala. The celebration was designed to reflect one of the key settings in this year’s One Book, One Village selection...

RAILS is aware that Baker & Taylor has begun the process of winding down operations with the intent of closing by the end of the year. We are sorry about the far-reaching loss of a library industry leader and wish our colleagues at Baker & Taylor all the best. We recognize the impact that this will...

The Putnam County Public Library District will present a special screening of the 2025 documentary Banned Together: The Fight Against Censorship on Tuesday, October 7th at 1:00 p.m. at the Granville Branch, in honor of Banned Books Week. Banned Together takes viewers inside the growing fight over...

From the My Library Is... Blog: The HSA McKinley School library received the My Library Is… Grant to purchase books to increase our graphic novel section. As I am sure is true of most schools, our graphic novel section tended to have the highest rates of circulation and interest for our students in...