News from RAILS & Libraries

Illinois Prairie District Public Library (IPDPL) in Woodford County, IL, launched a redesigned website at the end of January, offering a more user-friendly experience and improved access to library resources. Patrons can easily search the catalog, explore digital resources, and stay up-to-date on...

We invite all levels of staff from any type of RAILS library to join the online RAILS Member Update on Tuesday, February 11, 3:00-4:00 p.m. Topics include public library meeting rooms and the First Amendment, the Galena LitFest, and a new learning opportunity from the RAILS Continuing Education team...

RAILS is excited to welcome Carolyn Sennett to the RAILS Board of Directors. Carolyn is a current member of the Wilmette Public Library Board. She is filling a vacant public library trustee seat for RAILS. She was sworn in at the board’s January 24, 2024 meeting. The seat’s term ends on June 30...

From the My Library Is... Blog: We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of the Right to Read Poster Project, an inspiring initiative celebrating intellectual freedom and libraries' vital role in our society. This project was made possible through generous funding from the My Library Is...

From the My Library Is... Blog: The My Library Is... Grant has allowed over seventy of our students to read books in their home language. Some of the languages spoken in our school are Ukrainian, Spanish, and Portuguese. Multilanguage learner instructors have utilized the foreign language texts...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Evanston History Center in Evanston! The mission of the Evanston History Center is to collect, preserve, and share Evanston's history to educate, inspire, and enrich...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Doug Cataldo, Communications and Outreach Coordinator Phone: 847-458-3144 Email: doug.cataldo@aapld.org Algonquin, IL – January 2025 We are thrilled to welcome you back to the Eastgate Branch of the Algonquin Area Public Library District! After months of transformation...

Episode four of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. In “A Good Librarian’s Guide to Getting Along (with Administration),” Janette and Leah are joined by school librarian Beth Kovacic and principal Akemi Sessler (Dryden Elementary School). Together, they...

From the My Library Is... Blog: The Learning Commons (LC) Library at Sauk Valley Community College (SVCC) is pleased to announce some significant developments made possible through the My Library Is... Grant funds. These enhancements are aimed at improving branding, visibility, and overall awareness...

Black History Month is a time to honor and reflect on the rich history, culture, and contributions of Black Americans. This February, we are thrilled to host a series of exciting events Our events will take place at both the Holiday Inn Matteson and the Matteson Area Library District 801 School Ave...

Saturday, January 25 | 1-4 pm | Glen Ellyn Public Library Meet local authors whose books are part of Glen Ellyn Public Library’s Emerging Author Collection and the collection at large. Discover the next wave of literary talent and connect with up-and-coming writers, hear about their fresh ideas, and...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, First Floor Theater in Chicago! Founded in 2012, First Floor Theater has garnered a reputation for pairing some of the most cutting-edge scripts in Chicago and the...

The Zion-Benton Public Library District made the news! A Zion woman worked with the Zion Genealogical Society (ZGS) to find the family of the person who donated their kidney to her 40 years ago! The ZGS has dedicated space in the Library for genealogical research, and ABC 7 selected the Library for...

In compliance with Illinois statutes and administrative rules [23 Ill. Adm. Code 3030.200], annual certification is required of ALL library system members to retain system membership and eligibility for grants administered by the Illinois State Library. Examples of Illinois State Library grants...

All levels of library staff in the Lake County Area are invited to learn about people in transitional housing in Lake County and in particular how local libraries can connect people with resources for assistance and support. Participants are invited to join in-person or online via Zoom. Coffee will...