News from RAILS & Libraries

ATLAS is gearing up for another continuing education event: Storytime, Outreach. Oh My! How do we create community for our littlest patrons? How do we connect with our daycares? What can I do to better connect to the diverse communities we serve? Join experts Rosie Camargo, Cultural Literacy...

Registration is open for the 22nd Annual Information Literacy Summit! Please join us at the College of DuPage on Friday, April 19, 2024 for this year's Summit, including: A keynote address featuring Dr. Troy Swanson, Library Department Chair at Moraine Valley Community College and author of the new...

Find out where your library card can take you! As the weather gets warmer, you may be looking for things to do outside the home. We all love tending to our yards, and gardens, and being outside after a cold winter, but if it’s too rainy to spend time out there, visit your library! Starting 7 April...

On Friday, April 12, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., RAILS and Western Illinois University are excited to host a free, one-day event on broadband and libraries. This event will feature speakers, networking, and a chance to find out more about what broadband opportunities lie ahead for libraries. Western...

We are pleased to announce the five proposals that have each been awarded a RAILS Continuing Education Event Grant: BIPOC Library Workers networking group: “Navigating White Spaces as a BIPOC Library Worker,” presented by Tracie D. Hall College of DuPage Library and DePaul University Library...

Please join RAILS in welcoming two new member libraries: Lindop SD 92 is a public school district located in Broadview, Illinois. There is one school in the district, an elementary school serving K-8. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the district has an enrollment of 342 students...

Palatine Library Board of Trustees is excited to appoint Melissa Gardner as the Executive Director of the Library, effective July 8, 2024. Gardner has worked in libraries for over 20 years and has served as assistant director of the Library for the past nine years. During this time, she was part of...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Young People’s Theatre in Chicago! In residence at Lincoln Park’s historic Greenhouse Theater Center, and led by experienced children’s theatre director, Randy White...

ATLAS is gearing up for our first continuing education event of the calendar year: Friends, Foundations, & Fundraising . Have you ever considered starting a Friends group? How do I start a Library Foundation? Need advice on how to start or increase your Library’s fundraising efforts? Let ATLAS help...

The next Programming for Seniors in Public Libraries group meeting Friday, March 1 from 10-11:00 on Zoom; r egistration and Zoom link on L2 . This group is for librarians and library staff who plan/run programming for seniors/older adults in public libraries. Programming for older adults can be...

Monday, February 26th, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. Clara Louise Kessler was an author, a teacher, and a librarian who had a lifelong interest in books, poetry, songs, and children. She began her career working with children as a kindergarten teacher first, and then embarked on a 33-year long position as the...

At the Roselle Public Library, teens are finding a space just for them: one where they can come together, create, have fun and socialize for free. The library hosts monthly teen hangouts aimed at giving middle school students a safe place to call their own. And the program is resonating: three dozen...

The Illinois Secretary of State has released a request for proposal for the e-resource package that will be available without charge to all Illinois communities. The RFP is available for viewing on the Illinois State Library E-Resource Program Pulse page from the RAILS website. The RAILS...

Please join RAILS in welcoming two new member libraries: Newark CCSD 66 is a public school district located in Newark, Illinois. The district has two schools, an elementary school serving K-4 and a junior high school serving 5-8. According to the Illinois State Board of Education, the district has...

Starting Monday, February 19, the RAILS Burr Ridge Service Center is re-open to outside groups. The facility was closed due to a project to replace all network cables. The majority of work has been completed and meeting space areas are now open. The closure did not impact phone or email...