RAILS Website Articles

Latest News

  • RAILS Minute - August 20, 2025

    Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 🎧 A new season of the Can’t Shelve This podcast ✏️ A free, full day of virtual learning for school library workers (PDH included!) 💙 Topics for the upcoming RAILS Member Update 📚 The millions of items available through Find More...

  • Request for Bids: Laptop PC Hardware

    We're accepting bids for laptop computer hardware. The deadline for sealed or electronically submitted bids is 11:00am CDT on Monday, September 15, 2025. See the attached document for specifications and other details.

  • RAILS Numbers That Count: Advocacy

    What can you do to help promote the value of our library system? Help us keep our numbers strong by using the resources we make available Stay in touch! Subscribe to the RAILS E-News, our social media channels, and our email lists Tell your own story to your community; libraries get collectively...

  • RAILS Welcomes New Members

    Please join RAILS in welcoming three new member libraries: SAE Institute is a creative media education college with a network of colleges around the world. It was founded in 1976 in Sydney and the Chicago campus was established in 2012. They offer classes in audio engineering and entertainment...

  • Can't Shelve This Season 2 Premiere: Back to the Stacks

    Season 2 is officially in session! The premiere is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Settle into back-to-school season with Janette and Leah as they unpack all the library propaganda we're not falling for. No homework—just laughs, mythbusting, and a few hot takes. Have a...

  • Deadline to Register for ISLWS: August 29

    The Illinois School Library Workers Symposium will be held on Wednesday, September 17. This event is open to all levels of library staff but designed for individuals working in school libraries with no formal library education, certified or non-certified, paraprofessionals, and those considering...

  • Call For Sponsors - Libraries Count: RAILS Data Conference

    We are looking for organizations to sponsor the first-ever Libraries Count: RAILS Data Conference! Now more than ever, libraries are leveraging data to support their work—but acquiring the necessary data skills isn’t easy. Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and the Illinois Library...

  • Request for Bids: Printing Solution

    Reaching Across Illinois Library System is headquartered in Burr Ridge, IL and currently serves over 100 full-time employees in five locations across northern and western Illinois. RAILS is soliciting proposals for a multi-site printing solution. Sealed proposals are due no later than 1:00pm CDT on...

  • RAILS Numbers That Count: Delivery

    There’s a reason that library workers picture blue bins when they hear about RAILS—delivery is one of our most important and widely-used services! Our member libraries receive high-quality library delivery service up to five days a week. In 2024, our 46 delivery staff produced a 2813% return on...

  • RAILS Minute - July 23, 2025

    Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 💡 A new leadership program for all levels of library staff 📈 Our first-ever upcoming data conference 💰 The millions of dollars saved through RAILS Deals & Discounts Relevant Links: RAILS Catalyst Libraries Count: RAILS Data...

  • Registration Open for Libraries Count: RAILS Data Conference

    Now more than ever, libraries are leveraging data to support their work, whether it’s to track circulation and use, guide decision making, or advocate for resources. To do this effectively, library workers need to be experts in not only library and information science but also data and analytics...

  • RAILS Numbers That Count: Find More Illinois

    We created Find More Illinois (FMI) to make it easier for libraries to share their items with different communities. As an interlibrary loan platform, FMI provides anyone with the ability to search multiple library catalogs in one place. For some libraries, FMI is an affordable alternative to OCLC...

  • RAILS Names Stacy Palmisano as Executive Assistant

    RAILS promotes Stacy Palmisano to Executive Assistant, effective July 14, 2025. Stacy fills the position recently vacated by Emily Bailey, who retired on July 11, 2025. Stacy first joined RAILS in 2019 as an Administrative Assistant, supporting the day-to-day needs of RAILS employees and board...

  • Applications for RAILS Catalyst Now Open

    RAILS Catalyst is now accepting applications for this exciting new leadership development program for library staff! We’re looking for professionals currently working in RAILS member libraries who are eager to expand their leadership responsibilities or enhance their impact in their current roles...

  • RAILS Announces Jody Rubel's Retirement

    RAILS Library Resource Specialist Jody Rubel will retire on Friday, July 18, after twelve and a half years of outstanding service. Jody began her work supporting Illinois libraries over twenty years ago while serving in various roles within the Suburban Library System (SLS) and Metropolitan Library...