News from RAILS & Libraries

RAILS has signed an agreement to continue providing access to the Social Justice in Public Libraries program from Freedom Lifted for all member libraries. This popular resource allows library staff to learn more about equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in libraries. The course content...

Visit RAILS at our exhibit booth (#401) at the ILA conference in Peoria, October 8-10. Exhibit hours are Wednesday, October 9, noon–5 p.m., and Thursday, October 10, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. RAILS is a Platinum Sponsor of the conference and is sponsoring the ILA Membership Meeting and President’s Program with...

Things are ramping up at RAILS this fall! Dan and Monica talk about the new Illinois Libraries: Agencies of Impact data study, the exciting premiere of our new podcast for school library workers, and more updates on the statewide e-resource package. Relevant links: Illinois Libraries: Agencies of...

RAILS is thrilled to announce the premiere of its newest podcast, Can’t Shelve This . The series is co-hosted by RAILS Data Analyst Janette Derucki and Illinois Heartland Library System School Library Membership Coordinator Leah Gregory. The podcast aims to create a space for school library workers...

Maggie Thomann has been selected as the new Library Resource Specialist in RAILS’s Resource Sharing department. This position was added in FY2024 to support the growing Deals & Discounts program. Thomann’s first day in the position was September 4, 2024. Thomann has over 20 years of experience in...

At RAILS, our mission statement “We Connect Libraries” reflects our belief in the transformative power of libraries. We go beyond brick-and-mortar walls, fostering collaboration and resource-sharing to empower libraries of all types and sizes. That's why we have published the Illinois Libraries...

The Illinois State Library (ISL) will host online training sessions to answer common questions about the statewide e-resource package . Attendees will learn how to get links, set up an EBSCO Connect account, access training videos, and more. ISL’s Library Program Specialist Suzanna Jones will also...

We invite all levels of staff from any type of RAILS library to join the online RAILS Member Update on Wednesday, September 4, at 3 p.m. Attached is a full agenda for this event. Topics include more information from the Illinois State Library about the statewide e-resources package, advocating for...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes back for their 2024/2025 season, McAninch Arts Center at College of DuPage, Glen Ellyn! Since opening our doors in 1986, the McAninch Arts Center has been focused on enriching our community...

Explore More Illinois Welcomes Doudna Fine Arts Center Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Doudna Fine Arts Center in Charleston, IL! Eastern Illinois University’s Doudna Fine Arts Center is a cultural...

The Secretary of State's Office and the Illinois State Library are excited to share more information about how school libraries can access the statewide e-resource package. The following is information that can be used to start accessing this resource. We encourage school library representatives to...

It's all about learning and collaboration in this month's episode of RAILS Minute. Dan and Monica discuss upcoming networking opportunities for school library workers, promote the new round of RAILS Continuing Education Grants, and preview the next RAILS Member Update. Relevant Links: 9/5 Back to...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Cantigny in Wheaton! Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois, is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, who lived there from the 1920s until he died in...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, The Forge: Lemont Quarries in Lemont! Experience a wide range of outdoor activities and events in a 300-acre park in Lemont, just 22 miles southwest of Chicago. Find an...

The American Library Association (ALA) has sent an alert to library workers to tell their representatives to fund libraries. The House Appropriations Committee has approved its budget, which includes a 15% cut to the only federal library funding agency. This devastating budget will soon be presented...