News from RAILS & Libraries

RAILS will be closed on Thursday, November 28 for Thanksgiving Day. Delivery services will not be provided. RAILS will reopen on Friday, November 29.

Dan and Monica recap what they learned at last week's AISLE Conference in Tinley Park. They also discuss RAILS news, including a public library trustee vacancy on the RAILS Board and the launch of our online store. Lastly, they promote an exciting deep discount for Udemy, available exclusively to...

Episode three of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. In "The Library's Got Rizz," Janette and Leah chat with district librarian Nichole Folkman (Hartsburg-Emden CUSD #21) about the best ways to get your tots, tweens, and teens excited about visiting the...

RAILS is excited to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 My Library Is… Grants. These grants are designed to help libraries tell their story and are open to ALL types of RAILS member libraries (academic, public, school, and specialized). About the Grant: As part of the My Library Is...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The RAILS Board of Directors voted on Friday, September 27 to endorse the CARLI Statement of the Importance of Librarians in Academic Libraries. The statement is attached.

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced that RAILS Director of Technology Services Anne Slaughter has been appointed the new Broadband Advisory Council Chair. Slaughter has been engaged with the council since its inception in 2019. The Illinois Office of...