News from RAILS & Libraries

Visit RAILS at exhibit booth #401 at the ILA conference in Springfield, October 24–26. Exhibit hours are Wednesday, October 25, noon–5 p.m., and Thursday, October 26, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. RAILS is a Leadership Partner sponsor of the conference and is sponsoring the Exhibits Lunch on Wednesday. RAILS staff...

The Board of Trustees of the Fremont Public Library District in Mundelein voted to hire Laura Long as the Library’s Director during their September board meeting. The decision comes after conducting a nationwide search following the retirement of the previous Library Director, Scott Davis. Long will...

Streator Public Library is celebrating our 120th anniversary and the completion of the Save America’s Treasures Grant Project. Visit to see the restored dome and murals with updated lighting on Saturday September 23, 2023 from 10am to 12pm. There will be tours, face painting, commerative pins, and a...

To support the right to free expression, the Forest Park Public Library (FPPL) will hold the Freedom to Read Rally on Sunday, October 1. “The library’s mission is to make space and support a diverse range of views and information needs,” said FPPL Library Director Vicki Rakowski. “By holding this...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes back attraction, DuPage Symphony Orchestra in Naperville! The DuPage Symphony Orchestra is an award-winning local orchestra located in DuPage County and the 2021 Community Orchestra of the...

With Banned Books Week quickly approaching, Monica talks about the Book Challenges on the Rise program she'll be participating in with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Dan and Monica also share highlights from the recent joint meeting between RAILS and IHLS at the Illinois State Library. Both...

Twenty fantastical, colorful animals will feel right at home in the home of imaginary stories, the Gail Borden Public Library. Previously at Cantigny Park, these creatures from the Mexican Cultural Center of Dupage will be on display at the Library from September 9 through January 7, 2024. Elgin...

The Poplar Creek Public Library in Streamwood IL is hosting an Author Fair September 23rd from 1-4pm. *Connect with local authors *Learn about new titles *Purchase signed books *Q&A with select authors *Enter a prize drawing *Free bag to the first 25 attendees For a list of participating authors...

The Marseilles Public Library Board of Trustees has appointed Heide Trettenero as our next Executive Director effective October 1, 2023. Heide is a great worker and has been with Marseilles Library for seven years. She has handled all of our cataloging, runs Preschool Story Hour and keeps us all on...

Lake Villa District Library is proud to present A Picture is Worth 1000 Yards: Sports Photography of Walter Payton, a traveling exhibition on loan from the Dunn Museum. The exhibition celebrates the life and achievements of Chicago Bear Hall of Fame running back Walter Payton through photographs and...

Greetings! The NILRC Professional Development Committee is pleased to offer our first Webinar for 2023-24, entitled “What is ChatGPT and Why Should I Care?” Our presenters are Atticus Garrison, Reference and Instruction Librarian at Black Hawk College; and Erica Lannan, Professor of Biology, Prairie...

(LOMBARD, IL) – Helen Plum Library is honored to announce the reception of the Conservation@Work certification from The Conservation Foundation (TCF) of DuPage County. Committed to protecting the environment, the TCF recognizes organizations that transform landscapes for the benefit of people and...

Dan and Monica talk about the qualities RAILS is looking for in their next Director of Consulting and Continuing Education, highlights from Directors University, and the new Unite Against Book Bans in Illinois initiative. Links: Director of Consulting and Continuing Education job posting Directors...

After 29 years of service to the Cary Area Public Library District, Executive Director Diane McNulty will retire on October 6. "I have had a great time as the third Executive Director of the Cary Area Public Library. I have worked with some phenomenal people who were on the staff, on the board...