News from RAILS & Libraries

Princeton Public Library is hosting a reception on Friday, April 25th to present local talent by displaying books and book covers. Instead of disposing of these books, they were handed out to people as a blank canvases. The recycled books were provided by the Friends of the Library. So far, there...

The next Adult Services Managers Roundtable is Wednesday, May 14 from 9:30-11:30am at the RAILS Burr Ridge building (125 Tower Drive). This quarterly networking group is open to managers, department heads and supervisors of adult services in public libraries of all sizes. Bring agenda items to the...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Lincoln Douglas Debate Museum in Charleston! Visit this first-class facility located on the site of the 1858 Charleston, IL, Lincoln-Douglas debate. Take a self-guided...

The ninth annual Directors University will be held August 4 - 6, 2025, at the Hilton DoubleTree in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois. This professional development is intended for first-time directors and directors new to Illinois from public libraries of all shapes and sizes. Directors University (DU)...

RAILS World Language Cataloging Services Program is committed to enriching library collections with global perspectives, one title at a time. Among our recent projects, one stood out as an exciting intersection of literary heritage and linguistic diversity: the cataloging of a Khmer translation of...

Join us at Bellwood Public Library on Tuesday, April 29 at 6:30pm for a screening of Free For All: The Public Library, a new documentary from PBS Books by Dawn Logsdon and Lucie Faulknor. Premiering on PBS’s Independent Lens, Free For All: The Public Library tells the story of the quiet...

Join the RAILS Music Librarianship Group for a tour of the Newberry Library's music-related holdings. Meet in the Newberry Library lobby - use front doors, as back doors are locked. Please check in with Alison Hinderliter, your tour guide, who will meet you all in the lobby. All coats and large bags...

Dear Library Colleagues, I’m writing to share some important news about proposed legislation that our office is spearheading designed specifically to improve security at libraries and enhance safety for librarians across Illinois. House Bill 2747 and Senate Bill 1550, which were introduced in the...

Dan and Monica provide updates about the dismantling of IMLS, sharing new resources, events, and talking points that members should know about. They also discuss the new 2024 RAILS Annual Report and highlight the continuing education opportunities available to library workers in Illinois. Relevant...

Wednesday, April 30th at 10 am via Zoom Moving to a new country, becoming acclimated to a new environment, and applying for citizenship is a daunting hurdle for many immigrants. People often turn to their local library for help, but frequently their library doesn't offer much beyond reading material...

Every year, RAILS holds elections for its 15-seat board of directors. The members of the RAILS Board work together to shape the future of the library system and the services we provide to our members. To help members navigate the voting process this year, we've created a comprehensive RAILS Board...

The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) is undergoing significant changes that may impact the Illinois library community. We know many of you are following the latest developments, but for those who are uncertain about what is happening, we want to help you make sense of the changes...

The Gail Borden Public Library is now hosting its latest exhibit, “ Glitz, Glamour, Gorgeous: A Tribute to Hollywood’s Great Movie Costumes,” showcasing costumes from Hollywood's golden age. Explore the magic of cinema with 33 outfits worn by stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Ginger Rogers and Julie...

Any staff from RAILS member libraries are invited to the RAILS Online Event: Advocating for Libraries on Wednesday, April 23, at 1 p.m. It will feature a discussion on advocating for libraries regarding President Trump’s executive order defunding IMLS. This discussion includes examples of what...

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