News from RAILS & Libraries

As March marches in, I can't help but think where I was a year ago--give or take a week. As I reflect upon the bustling school library I left, and the one I am currently in, I have to work hard to conjure up what was. Pandemically speaking, I (and dare I say many of my school librarian colleagues)...

At the end of 2020, Hudson Area Public Library District found a hopeful and fun fact while reviewing patron statistics. Out of 977 active patron cards, 955 of those cards had been used in the prior six months. While their world was closing in, patrons – almost all of them – were using their cards to...

We are all born with an innate creative spirit. As humans, we have the instinctive drive to create, and as someone who works in early literacy and with young children, my job is to nurture that creative spirit in our youngest library patrons. When I plan programs, my primary goal always revolves...

The staff at the Princeton Public Library held a New Year’s Eve Non-event fundraiser this past December. We thought it would be an apropos way to bring a laugh to the community and say goodbye to 2020. A non-event stresses the benefit of staying home over the inconveniences and expenses of attending...

Representatives from Quincy Public Library (QPL) recently sat down and Zoomed in for a RAILS Sparks podcast to discuss their successful marketing campaign to stave off library budget cuts. QPL’s Executive Director Kathleen Helsabeck and Assistant Director & Marketing Coordinator Burgundy Hill talked...

No matter what your position is within your organization, sooner or later, you are going to be approached to write something. It may be a description for an upcoming program, a press release, a grant proposal, or something as simple as an email to a patron or colleague. For some, writing any of...

At first, I thought our knitting and crochet group, Pins & Needles, was just group of good friends who liked to get together, knit and chat. It turns out that that's not all the ladies come for and it's not even their only goal. I came to find out they have created hundreds of assorted warm items...

Amid the chaos and stress of the past year, my library has found a way to establish personal relationships with patrons and create an enthusiastic fandom—and boost collection use at the same time. Since September 2019, our Binge Box service has provided personalized book selections to people of all...

When I arrived at Warrenville Public Library back in 2018, I wanted to explore the benefits of active engagement and library outreach via creative programming and art. We already had a very popular and highly anticipated arts programs series for kids. Time and time again I would hear from parents...

The following talking points can be used by library staff when faced with the question: Why do I need the library when I have the internet? They can easily be adapted to fit any situation that might arise in an academic, public, school, or specialized library. The talking points can be used...

At the end of last September, my co-worker Kathy, who also works at Big Rock Library in Big Rock, told me about an activity they were offering. She said, the Hinckley Big Rock High School FFA with help from the DeKalb County Farm Bureau had make up activity kits for kids about apples and were being...

In 2014, the Lisle Library District became one of the first public libraries in Illinois to offer a Seed Library to its patrons. The Village of Lisle is home to The Morton Arboretum and PrairieWalk Pond, among other outdoor attractions, and it was in keeping with the Village’s love of outdoor spaces...

In March 2020, the Flossmoor Public Library was getting ready to go fine free. We were adding to our collection, to introduce Play-aways, because they had not really been a heavily requested item by our patrons until that winter. We had great in-person programming and a wide collection of materials...

The University Libraries at Northern Illinois University quickly pivoted to low- and no-contact services to respond to the pandemic. Many academic libraries were well positioned for such actions. We have emphasized innovative practices for years in order to meet and exceed the expectations of our...

This year we celebrated 20 years of building and decorating gingerbread houses at the Henderson County Public Library District!! Back in 2000 the library director (I was the assistant library director in 2000) attended a class at Fondulac PLD to learn how to build a gingerbread house and the list of...