News from RAILS & Libraries

Bestselling author Vanessa Riley and award winner Alina Rubin, will discuss writing historical fiction, giving women a voice in history, doing and using research, traditional versus independent publishing, and building empathy through history. This is a virtual program via Zoom. To register visit...

RAILS recently conducted a short survey to find out how current participants are experiencing the new Social Justice in Public Libraries program from Freedom Lifted. The feedback was almost entirely positive. Here are a few quotes from people who have tried the program: “Social Justice for Public...

Jessica Silva has been selected as RAILS Member Engagement Specialist, effective April 3, 2024. Silva fills the space previously vacated by Dan Bostrom, who was promoted to RAILS Director of Marketing and Communications in October 2023. Silva has 12 years of experience in education and librarianship...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Imagine giving your students the power to dive into the world of STEM wherever they go. Well, thanks to the RAILS “My Library Is…” grant money, our school library has launched the coolest initiative we've ever done - Maker Backpacks! Maker Backpacks are STEM kits...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Des Plaines History Center in Des Plaines! The Des Plaines History Center collects, preserves, and interprets the history of Des Plaines and its people. Toward that end...

Furthering his commitment to the Right to Read, Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is spearheading legislation that underscores the vital role of librarians in providing essential educational resources and ensures those individuals can go to work without fear and intimidation. HB 4567...

For the past several months the Galena Public Library has been working with the City of Galena, the Galena School District, and the Galena Center for the Arts to find Galena's first Poet Laureate. Two representatives from each organization made up a Poet Laureate Selection Committee. Galena will be...

HB 4567 is scheduled for a committee hearing on Thursday, April 4, at 10:00 a.m. All Illinois library advocates are encouraged to support the bill before the hearing by submitting a witness slip. The bill amends the Criminal Code of 2012, to include in offense of threatening a public official or...

The Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) and the Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Awards released a statement highlighting the importance, of its book awards in encouraging students to read widely. This statement has been co-signed by the Illinois Heartland Library System...

The Illinois Library Association (ILA) is seeking witness slip support for amending the acquisition of treasurer bonds for libraries. HB 4224 is scheduled for a committee hearing on Thursday, April 4, at 8:01 a.m. All Illinois library advocates are encouraged to support the bill prior to the hearing...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the Western Illinois Museum in Macomb! The Western Illinois Museum is located in the heart of rural West Central Illinois and offers a welcoming, small-town experience...

We sat down with some of our current board members and asked them to reflect on their board experience. Watch the 2.5-minute video to learn why they ran, what they’ve gotten out of it, and who should apply to join. Please share the video with coworkers, trustees, and colleagues who would make a...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Historic Auto Attractions in Roscoe! Experience all the history and artifacts that Historic Auto Attractions has to offer. The museum is so much more than cars. With...

The La Grange Park Public Library will be closed beginning Monday, April 8, to pack up our temporary location and move into the renovated library building at 555 N. La Grange Road. We anticipate this move will take approximately four weeks and the library should reopen on Monday, May 6. Library...

RAILS and Western Illinois University (WIU) are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Western Illinois Digital Access Mini-Grants and Chromebook Lending Grants. These grants were made possible by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Office of Broadband. The...