News from RAILS & Libraries

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...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago! Lincoln Park Zoo is a 49-acre zoo and arboretum in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. The zoo offers free admission and welcomes more than 3...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Joliet Public Library Unveils Youth Art Gallery Presented by Old National Bank Joliet Public Library is pleased to announce the unveiling of the new Youth Art Gallery, presented by Old National Bank. The gallery space on the second floor of the Ottawa Street Branch...

The RAILS Board is looking for volunteers from our member libraries who are interested in using their experience and expertise to help shape system services and have an impact on all Illinois residents. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) committee members will help identify barriers in the...

Blue Island Public Library is celebrating the award of two grants for the 2023 year. Adult Services Manager Micah Rademacher won the Will Eisner Graphic Novel grant for “Nos Vemos en los Cómics”, funding graphic novel based collections and programming in Spanish. Through this funding, the library...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago! The National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago showcases 3,000 years of creativity from both sides of the Mexican border...

The Glencoe Public Library has several staff and former staff who have recently published articles in professional journals. Children's Shelver Alex Towers' piece, " My Turn: Neurodivergence in Libraries" was published in the June issue of ILA Reporter. Children's Librarians Jessie Bond (formerly at...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Our library was created in 2020, after returning from COVID-19, as a newly formed, K-2, dual language center. Previously, we were K-6 English, mono-lingual. With much gratitude towards the support of RAILS and the My Library Is Grant, we are creating and living a new...