News from RAILS & Libraries

From the My Library Is ... Blog: During the pandemic, my workspace in a public high school transformed from a traditional book-centric library to an innovative makerspace community called The Hub. Removing our freestanding bookshelves made all the difference in lightening up this student space. Read...

The Batavia Public Library Board invite the RAILS library community to a retirement reception in honor of outgoing Executive Director George H. Scheetz. The open house reception will be held at the Batavia Public Library on Sunday, May 7, 2023, from 2 to 4 p.m. Enjoy refreshments and conversation...

Helen Plum Library is announcing the Grand Opening of its new facility at 411 S. Main Street. Grand Opening celebrations will be held on Saturday, April 22 from 9am to 4pm, and Sunday, April 23 from 1pm to 4:30pm. A detailed schedule of events can be found on the Library's website. Library...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Bix Beiderbecke Museum & Archives in Davenport, IA! The Bix Beiderbecke Museum & World Archives is a 501(c)3 nonprofit located in Davenport, Iowa, the hometown of jazz...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: In March 2022, students at Northern Illinois University created the world’s largest paper snowflake. It is forty-four feet six inches across and has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records! The NIU Libraries got in on the excitement with a special event...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum in Chicago! Beginning at river level and spiraling five stories up, the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum...

The NILRC Professional Development Committee is sponsoring this informative webinar on April 4 at 10 am. Enhancing Information Literacy Instruction through Algorithmic Awareness Recent research demonstrates that students need ways to connect information literacy skills learned in the classroom with...

The Wood Dale Public Library District is delighted to announce the new Executive Director, Christopher Renkosiak, who will join the library beginning March 20, 2023. Mr. Renkosiak holds a Master of Library and Information Science degree from the University of Tennessee and an undergraduate degree in...

FOX RIVER GROVE, IL – Fox River Grove Public Library District is excited to announce that it will be hosting regular office hours for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, starting Monday, March 13, 2023. The Fox River Grove Memorial Library, 407 Lincoln Ave, Fox River Grove, IL, will host bimonthly...

RAILS strongly supports the Association of Illinois School Library Educator's (AISLE) efforts to encourage school districts to offer school library programs staffed by licensed school librarians. According to AISLE research, more than 25 research studies have proven conclusively that licensed school...

Dan Bostrom sits down with Executive Director Monica Harris to discuss the latest Member Update, her upcoming meet and greet tour, what to expect from our new website, and some important deadlines coming up for RAILS members. For more information on the topics discussed: February 28, 2023 Member...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS' online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, spotlights attraction, American Writers Museum in Chicago! The American Writers Museum is an interactive playground for literature lovers who want to learn more about their favorite writers and...

Greetings! Due to unforeseen circumstances, the NILRC Professional Development Webinar on Vision Boards, scheduled for March 7 at 10 am, has been CANCELED! We apologize to those who were looking forward to this event. Our final webinar of the year will be held on April 4 at 10:30 am. Please watch...

When the new RAILS website rolls out next month, all listings on the RAILS Jobs Board will need to include the position's pay rate or range in U.S. dollars. There are several reasons to put wage information in posted jobs: It promotes equity in recruiting and hiring. It creates more realistic pay...

We are pleased to announce that the $40 exhibit guest passes are now available through RAILS' exhibitor portal for ALA Annual! RAILS member libraries can purchase exhibit-only passes for library staff members to visit the exhibit hall at the ALA Annual Conference, June 22–27, in Chicago. There is no...