News from RAILS & Libraries

Aurora, IL — The Aurora Public Library District is proud to announce that three of its staff members have been selected as 2025 ALA Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association. This prestigious national honor supports the advancement of diversity in the library profession through...

From the My Library Is... Blog: Reaching Forward North is a professional development conference for library support staff in central and northern Illinois put on by the Illinois Library Association. This took place on May 1, 2025. The staff at RAILS operated a booth at the conference and hosted a...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 💡 A new leadership program for all levels of library staff 📈 Our first-ever upcoming data conference 💰 The millions of dollars saved through RAILS Deals & Discounts Relevant Links: RAILS Catalyst Libraries Count: RAILS Data...

Now more than ever, libraries are leveraging data to support their work, whether it’s to track circulation and use, guide decision making, or advocate for resources. To do this effectively, library workers need to be experts in not only library and information science but also data and analytics...

We created Find More Illinois (FMI) to make it easier for libraries to share their items with different communities. As an interlibrary loan platform, FMI provides anyone with the ability to search multiple library catalogs in one place. For some libraries, FMI is an affordable alternative to OCLC...

From the My Library Is... Blog: John L. Hensey Elementary School was very excited when we were awarded this wonderful grant opportunity to help update our History and Social Studies book collections throughout the school. Our school collection had less diversity (only 3% of the collection) when I...

Join the Recharge and Supervisors, Administrators & Managers (SAAM) sections of LACONI at our third annual Networking Unconference. Whether you are a shelver or an administrator, you are welcome! Want to discuss a hot topic, such as using AI in the library or advocating for a social worker in your...

The Aurora Public Library District was selected as the recipient of the Kane County Bar Association’s (KCBA) prestigious Liberty Bell Award at the 2025 KCBA Annual Dinner. This nationally recognized award is bestowed on a non-attorney individual or community organization who has promoted a better...

RAILS promotes Stacy Palmisano to Executive Assistant, effective July 14, 2025. Stacy fills the position recently vacated by Emily Bailey, who retired on July 11, 2025. Stacy first joined RAILS in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant, supporting the day-to-day needs of RAILS employees and board...

In celebration of The Wall That Heals, coming to Antioch July 17th - July 20th, hosted by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and American Legion Post 748, the Library has a series of exhibits called "Remembering the Vietnam War: The Experience at the APLD". Walk-In, no registration required. Wednesday...

RAILS Catalyst is now accepting applications for this exciting new leadership development program for library staff! We’re looking for professionals currently working in RAILS member libraries who are eager to expand their leadership responsibilities or enhance their impact in their current roles...

From the My Library Is... Blog: Background Basics Hibbard Elementary School is in the diverse Albany Park Community of Chicago. Our poverty level is 88% and most of our students are English Learners. Nine years ago, our school librarian left for another district based on cuts to many Chicago Public...

RAILS Library Resource Specialist Jody Rubel will retire on Friday, July 18, after twelve and a half years of outstanding service. Jody began her work supporting Illinois libraries over twenty years ago while serving in various roles within the Suburban Library System (SLS) and Metropolitan Library...

Library officials are proud to announce that the Gail Borden Public Library has been awarded the highly coveted John Cotton Dana Award, one of the most prestigious accolades in the library world, for its transformative "Violins of Hope" project. This national recognition, presented annually by the...

RAILS Executive Assistant Emily Bailey will retire on Friday, July 11, 2025, after eleven years of service at the library system. Emily graduated with a Bachelor of Science from Elmhurst University and began her career in local government at West Central Municipal Conference. She honed her...