News from RAILS & Libraries

Are you passionate about intellectual freedom and defending the freedom to read? With censorship efforts surging at unprecedented levels across the country, a coalition of library support organizations including ILA, AISLE, IHLS, and RAILS are seeking to create a network of regional response teams...

Please join RAILS in welcoming four new members, DeVry University, District 50 Schools, Rebuild Foundation, and Saint Catherine Laboure School. DeVry University is a private for-profit university with its headquarters in Naperville, Illinois. The university has locations all over the United States...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Community Players Theatre in Bloomington! Community Players is a charitable, nonprofit theatrical organization dedicated to the idea that live theater enhances the...

The Special Libraries Association (SLA) Nominating Committee announced the candidates for the 2023 SLA election. The slate contains two representatives from Illinois: Rachel Cole and Dan Bostrom are two of the eight candidates for the SLA Board of Directors. There are four open board seats available...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: In 2022 Illinois Institute of Technology established the Galvin Library Media Studio (GLaMS) with funds received from the On the Road to Recovery: Transforming Library Spaces grant offered through the Illinois State Library. The new studio provides the space and...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Bronzeville Children’s Museum in Chicago! The first and only African American children's museum in the country serving all children ages 4-9 years old. Focus on history...

Join us at Oak Park Public Library on Thursday, August 3, 7-8 pm, for Latin Hip Hop as a New Poetry with Catalina Maria Johnson, Ph.D! Celebrate Latin hip hop Latin hip hop artists are advancing the poetic traditions of their countries in unique ways. Ana Tijoux from Chile was raised on protest...

Claudia Krauspe informed the Helen Plum Board of Trustees of her intent to retire in September 2023. The Library Board of Trustees reached a consensus to appoint current Assistant Director, Anne Luzeniecki as Interim Director to succeed Claudia upon her retirement. The vote to approve this...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, The Insect Asylum in Chicago! The Insect Asylum is a safe and welcoming space for people from all walks of life to explore natural history in all of its splendor...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe! The Chicago Botanic Garden opened 50 years ago as a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world’s great living...

The Matteson Area Public Library's ComicCon is back for its fourth year! We are located at 801 School Ave in Matteson IL. Free educational and fun programs for all ages will be happening throughout the entire day. Come meet superheroes and enter to win numerous prize baskets. View our Speakers...

RAILS promotes Joseph (Joe) Filapek to Associate Executive Director, effective July 25. Filapek fills the space recently vacated by Monica Harris, who was promoted to Executive Director in February 2023. Filapek first joined RAILS in 2013 as the Consulting and Continuing Education Manager...

Dan and Monica discuss staff changes at RAILS, including the selection of a new associate executive director and retirement of Marketing and Communications Director, Mary Witt. They also discuss highlights from ALA Annual and the Secretary of State's new website, banbookbans.com. RAILS Minute is a...

RAILS Director of Marketing and Communications Mary Witt retired on July 14, after over 42 years in Illinois libraries. Mary graduated with a Master of Library Science from the University of Iowa and began her library career at Fountaindale Public Library District (Romeoville branch). Later, Mary...

The Lake Villa District Library Board of Trustees has selected the first project of the library’s outdoor space plan: enhancing the hospitality and function of the main entrance area with the addition of seating and shaded areas. The LVDL Board approved the outdoor space plan in May and then began...