News from RAILS & Libraries

From the My Library Is ... Blog: In 2021, the Arlington Heights Memorial Library, proudly opened the doors of its new Makerplace building, ushering in a world of exciting possibilities for the community. Since then, residents of all ages have eagerly embraced the opportunity to acquire new skills...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes back for the season, Chicago Red Stars in Bridgeview! Established in 2007, the Red Stars were a founding member of the former Women’s Professional Soccer and would later become one of the...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: I think it is so important that our students are made to feel whole when they enter our East and Central Libraries at Evanston Township High School. Read the full post on the My Library Is ... website.

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, spotlights attraction, Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie! Since the opening, Illinois Holocaust Museum has focused on one clear mission: To use the history and lessons of the Holocaust to transform...

The Old Town School of Folk Music's 17,000 plus piece library collection of LPs, CDs, video and books now circulates through Find More Illinois.

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Through the power of virtual reality (VR), school librarians can transport their students to different times and places in order to get immersive, interactive 360-degree views like never before. In other words, VR allows us to become our own versions of Mrs. Frizzle...

Blue Island Public Library is so proud to have three staff members complete their MLIS degrees this spring. Jamie Hasty, Myriam Ramos, and Kaitlyn Smentek have all completed their degrees and are ready to grow their careers as professional librarians. Congratulations!

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Getting to know the library Read the full post on the My Library Is ... website.

The Reaching Across Illinois Libraries System (RAILS) announced that 18 projects have been selected to receive My Library Is… Grants for School Libraries. The total amount funded for these projects is $58,346.09. These grants provide an opportunity for libraries to focus on projects that help tell...

Registration for the JJC Summer 2023 Sessions is now underway for new and returning students. The 6-week Summer Session 1 runs May 22 - June 29. The 6-week Summer Session 3 runs from July 3 - August 10. All JJC online students pay in-district tuition. For more information, please contact Michelle Y...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Everyone's a reader. That is the message I want to send to the students at Medinah Middle School. Last year I purchased celebrity READ posters from the American Library Association for all of the teachers in the school in order to promote reading in all disciplines...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Pandemic-related delays are being felt throughout schools, but Heyworth’s Junior-Senior High School library was hit hard. Between closures, no in-person group visits, falling literacy levels, and a budget cut, the library was seeing a drastic loss of circulation as...

RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris will continue to travel through the RAILS area in the next month to meet with staff from our member libraries in person. Monica will talk about some of her goals for RAILS moving forward and there will be plenty of time for member questions and feedback. There...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: My Library is…the heart of our school: a space for all students, staff and community members and filled with something for EVERYONE….readers, scientists, engineers, friends and so much more! Read the full post on the My Library Is ... website.

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Children’s Discovery Museum in Normal! The Children’s Discovery Museum inspires the love of learning. We offer 3 floors of hands-on exhibits that actively engage...