News from RAILS & Libraries

Reaching Across Illinois Library System is headquartered in Burr Ridge, IL and currently serves over 100 full-time employees in five locations across northern and western Illinois. RAILS is soliciting proposals for a multi-site printing solution. Sealed proposals are due no later than 1:00pm CDT on...

There’s a reason that library workers picture blue bins when they hear about RAILS—delivery is one of our most important and widely-used services! Our member libraries receive high-quality library delivery service up to five days a week. In 2024, our 46 delivery staff produced a 2813% return on...

From the My Library Is... Blog: At Rockford University we know that student research and expression can take many forms – sometimes written, sometimes visual, and increasingly, spoken or recorded. That’s why we’re excited to announce a brand-new creative space opening in Fall 2025: The Audio Lab @...

Friday August 29, 9am-1pm Arlington Heights Memorial Library Build your accessibility network at this energizing unconference. Whether you have expertise to share on a specific topic or want to discover what’s working in other libraries, this is the perfect chance to connect, mentor, learn, and find...

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

2025 Powering Safe Communities Program Awards Over $165,000 in Grants to 23 Communities Across Northern Illinois ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus are proud to announce the latest recipients of the Powering Safe Communities Grant Program, kickstarting projects focused on public safety and...

From the My Library Is... Blog: The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library applied for the My Library Is... Grant to furnish our new branch with a curated selection of Spanish titles and resources for the community. Our library district serves the villages of Manhattan, Elwood, and Jackson Township in the...

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...