News from RAILS & Libraries

The Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) has selected five libraries to receive RAILS Cataloging Membership Grants. Congratulations to the following 2025 recipients: Camp Point Public Library (RSA) - $9,413.87 Chadwick Public Library (RRLC) - $23,239.00 Hamilton Public Library (RSA) - $12...

From the My Library Is... Blog: On March 14, 2025, Executive Order 14238, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). RAILS is spotlighting libraries and institutions in Illinois that have received IMLS...

The Friends of St. Charles Public Library commissioned two local artists to create a mural on the outside walls of the Library's terrace garden. Local artists Danielle Casali and Sam DeCarlo designed a mural that follows the theme of the terrace garden. Native plants and pollinators commonly seen in...

A Glimpse Into Thai Royal Correspondence As part of our ongoing efforts in the RAILS World Language Cataloging Service, we are excited to feature a fascinating item recently cataloged for Northern Illinois University (NIU) library collection: พระราชหัตถเลขาในพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหามงกุฏ...

All RAILS service centers will be closed on Thursday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday.

The season finale of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. In "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs," Leah and Janette go straight to the source for school library wisdom: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School librarian Heather McCarthy and two of her eighth graders, Emily and...

From the My Library Is... Blog: I am honored that Gower Middle School received one of the My Library Is... Grants for the 2024-2025 school year! Read the full post on the My Library Is... website.

The Council on Botanical and Horticultural Libraries, Inc. (CBHL) recently celebrated the twenty-sixth presentation of its Annual Literature Awards, which honor outstanding contributions to the literature of botany and horticulture. This year's awards recognized eleven exceptional works across a...

Congratulations to the 2025 candidates who have been elected to the RAILS Board of Directors: At-Large Seats Yolande Wilburn, Evanston Public Library Megan Gove, Talcott Free Library Public Library Trustee Seats Roberta Parks, Peoria Public Library Ron Holohan, Dunlap Public Library District Carolyn...

From the My Library Is... Blog: At Washington District Library (WDL), we’re always looking for ways to bring library services into the community and are lucky to have a fantastic partner in the Washington Park District. Installing a Storywalk® in a nearby park was an obvious step for us. Read the...

We're accepting sealed bids to replace our server hardware. Proposals are due no later than 1:00pm on June 23, 2025. Specifications and submission details are available in the attached document.

There’s no need to re-invent the wheel in library land—our library workers are all about collaborating and sharing. At RAILS, we support 102 networking groups by offering them resources to help make important connections. We also host 24 different email lists, where library workers can ask topical...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the Elgin History Museum in Elgin! The Elgin History Museum is located in a stately Greek Revival brick building that was built as Elgin Academy in 1856. The Museum has...

From the My Library Is... Blog: At the Klinck Memorial Library at Concordia University Chicago (CUC), we believe that the library is not just a place for quiet study and academic research, it is a center for connection, learning, and creativity, starting at the earliest age possible. With the...

The Fox River Valley Public Library District’s Public Relations team has been recognized with a 2025 Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Award from the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC) in the category of Crisis Communication Plan. The Blue Pencil and Gold Screen Awards are presented...