News from RAILS & Libraries

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  • Waukegan Public Library Adds Second Exterior Mural

    Waukegan Public Library is thrilled and thankful to have a new mural, created by artist Burke Morrill, to share with the community. A Waukegan Native, Burke is a mixed-media artist who traveled from his home in Arizona to contribute to the City of Waukegan’s public art initiative, made possible...

  • RAILS Announces 2025 Catalog Membership Grant Recipients

    The Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) has selected five libraries to receive RAILS Cataloging Membership Grants. Congratulations to this year's recipients: Camp Point Public Library (RSA) - $9,413.87 Chadwick Public Library (RRLC) - $23,239.00 Hamilton Public Library (RSA) - $12,910.00...

  • IMLS Stories: Digital Inclusion for All

    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...

  • St. Charles Public Library Unveils Terrace Garden Mural

    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...

  • Highlight from RAILS World Language Cataloging Service

    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...

  • New Can't Shelve This: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs

    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...

  • My Library Is... Impactful

    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.

  • 2025 CBHL Annual Literature Awards Announced

    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...

  • RAILS Announces 2025 Board Election Results

    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...

  • My Library Is… (Story) Walking!

    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...

  • RAILS Numbers That Count: Networking

    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 Welcomes Elgin History Museum

    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...

  • Explore More Illinois Welcomes Gillson Swimming Beach

    Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Gillson Swimming Beach in Wilmette! Gillson Park offers 60 acres of beautiful lakefront property ideal for picnics, bicycling, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and many...