After a nationwide search, the RAILS Board appointed Monica Harris as RAILS Executive Director effective immediately. Monica has been serving as Interim Executive Director since November 2022.
Monica first joined RAILS as Associate Executive Director in January 2020. In this role, she provided strategic and functional oversight for several departments, including Consulting and Continuing Education, Delivery and Facilities, Human Resources, and Library Resources and Programs. She also led the development and implementation of the 2022-2025 RAILS Strategic Plan.
Prior to joining RAILS, Monica served as Deputy Director and Executive Director of Schaumburg Township District Library. She also worked as a Teen Librarian, Youth Services Manager, and Customer Service Manager in public libraries in Illinois and Michigan.
Monica is involved with several statewide and national organizations, including the Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE), the Illinois Library Association (ILA), the Public Library Association (PLA), and the American Library Association (ALA), where she currently serves as Councilor at Large. She also serves as Executive Committee Treasurer for the Libraries of Illinois Risk Agency (LIRA).
RAILS will plan several in-person events throughout our area to give all staff at all RAILS libraries the opportunity to get to know Monica better and to share any feedback you have for RAILS moving forward. We will also offer virtual opportunities. Stay tuned to the weekly RAILS E-News for details. In the meantime, please join us in welcoming Monica Harris as our new Executive Director!