News from RAILS & Libraries

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Harris Theater for Music and Dance in Chicago! The Harris Theater’s mission is to be Chicago’s home for music and dance, a vision that was set in motion by some of the...

The Rock Island Public Library (RIPL) rolled out the latest phase in its three-year mental health partnership with the City of Rock Island at the Monday, Oct. 28 city council meeting. Mayor Mike Thoms proclaimed Monday, October 28, 2024 as Community Comfort Cart Rollout Day in the City of Rock...

We are excited to announce that RAILS has officially opened an online store! Book-themed merch is having a moment in pop culture, and we’re seizing the opportunity to include libraries in those conversations. Anyone can now purchase a RAILS-designed t-shirt, mug, tote, and more on our Threadless...

Due to a resignation from the RAILS Board, we have an opening for a public library trustee seat for a term ending on Monday, June 30, 2025. Any individual currently serving as a trustee at a RAILS public library is eligible to self-nominate by Wednesday, November 27, at noon. See the RAILS Board...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: The Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL) Summer Reading Club (SRC) is an annual, cornerstone program that promotes literacy, community engagement, and lifelong learning for all ages. The My Library Is… Grant funds afforded us the opportunity to translate all of our...

We invite all levels of staff from any type of RAILS library to join the online RAILS Member Update on Wednesday, November 13 at 3 p.m. Topics include artificial intelligence in libraries, ILA Legislative Meetups, and First Amendment audits. Attached is a full agenda for this event.

Dan and Monica recap the successful ILA conference and announce the winner of our Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer giveaway. They also discuss more opportunities to connect at the upcoming AISLE Conference and ILA Legislative Meetups. You'll learn about the topics that are planned for the next RAILS...

We are pleased to announce that the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) has named RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris the 2024 Crystal Honor Award recipient. AISLE Executive Secretary Carolyn Kinsella explained that Monica was selected due to her strong advocacy of AISLE and...

Find More Illinois is an interlibrary loan platform with over 80 participating libraries. The platform currently provides participating libraries with access to over seven million items in one seamless interface. Libraries of all types and sizes are able to join the platform at any time during the...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: On October 2, 2024, Green Hills Public Library District launched its latest initiative – a podcast! Entitled Checked Out, this monthly podcast dives into discussions about film, television, music, video games, and of course – books. Read the full post on the My...

Episode two of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. In "Advocacy 101: Help Me Help You," Janette and Leah chat with school librarians Gail Meyer (Thornton Fractional High School) and Deb Will (Zion-Benton Township High School) about the simplest and most...

The ILA Nominating Committee is seeking candidates for the 2025 Executive Board Election. In April 2025, members will vote for the ILA Vice-President/President-elect, who should be a public librarian, and for three Executive Board positions, who can be public, school, academic, special, or library...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, in Chicago! Founded in 1891, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra is consistently hailed as one of the greatest orchestras in the world...

Free Event---- But you must register at https://casaitaliachicago.org/historian-dominic-pacyga-italians-in-chic…