News from RAILS & Libraries

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island! Adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, the Quad City Botanical Center is comprised of an indoor...

The Illinois State Library has notified RAILS that a vendor has been selected for the statewide e-resource package. The Illinois Office of the Secretary of State and the Illinois State Library have not officially announced this news. Therefore, RAILS cannot officially comment on this situation other...

Are graphic novels as HUGE in your library as they are in mine? It is our most highly circulated section, and every single title circulates at least once per school year. Safe to say, we love graphic novels here at Adler Park School. As I observed which graphic novels the students were choosing, and...

In January of 2020 our library was given a brand-new space. The idea was for our library’s physical space to be a more sophisticated college-like space for our young adult high school students. We weeded our collection heavily and got rid of the old. However, our library was still traditionally...

On January 29, 2024 Northern Illinois University Libraries opened a new exhibit displaying large Mexican sculpture pieces known as alebrijes. The exhibit, which will remain open until November 8, presents a collection of 23 pieces created by six artists from Mexico City. The DuPage Mexican Cultural...

This is the final week to vote in the 2024 RAILS Board Election. As a representative of a RAILS member library, your vote matters! Each year, RAILS member libraries cast their ballots to help determine our governing board. Voting ends on Friday, May 24, 5 p.m. Central. Each RAILS member library...

Dan and Monica talk all things digital accessibility in this month's episode, including an overview of our new Pulse Page, a continuing education opportunity on June 12, and the rescheduled RAILS Member Update. Relevant Links: Digital Accessibility Pulse Page RAILS Member Update, June 6 The Modern...

RAILS is now offering copies of the 2024 Illinois Library Laws & Rules book. This essential compilation includes all current laws and rules affecting library service in Illinois. The purchase price of $25 includes the book and flash drive. Visit the Deals & Discounts web page of the RAILS website...

We welcome staff at all levels from all types of RAILS libraries (academic, public, school, and specialized) to join the RAILS Member Update on Thursday, June 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Zoom. This event was originally planned for Wednesday, May 8, but had to be postponed. Topics will include a...

In the bustling halls of Northbrook Glenview District 30, a beacon of innovation and inclusion is rising. It is called RisingSTEAM, a transformative initiative that is breaking barriers and igniting the passions of young minds in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM). This is no...

The Kemper Room is an exhibition space located on the upper level of the Paul V. Galvin Library at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Over the years it has been a place for campus partners to showcase an eclectic assortment of work: German airbrushed ceramics, textile artwork, photography, a...

Explore More Illinois Welcomes Back Normal CornBelters Baseball Team for Their 2024 Season Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Normal CornBelters in Normal! The Normal CornBelters are a collegiate, wood...

Thanks to the generosity of the RAILS My Library Is . . . Grant, students at Oak Lawn Community High School have an opportunity to learn about the unique experiences and perspectives of women content creators from diverse backgrounds while also appreciating the significance of non-fiction comics as...

Voting is open for the 2024 RAILS Board Election until Friday, May 24, 2024 at 5 p.m. There are 10 candidates running for two open at-large seats and seven candidates running for three open public library trustee seats. Each RAILS member library agency may cast only one ballot. A library agency is...

We were lucky enough to be a recipient the 2023 My Library Is... Grant for School Libraries. This money was used to create a staff book club that focused on building empathy for and understanding of diverse communities. The books chosen included fiction, nonfiction, and graphic novels. Their purpose...