News & Announcements from RAILS

The RAILS Member Event scheduled for Monday, March 9, at Ela Area Public Library to visit The Forge makerspace has been postponed. We look forward to rescheduling the tour of the space and learning about the library’s creative community workspace for all ages. Watch the RAILS E-News and the RAILS...

We are pleased to announce that the $40 exhibit-only guest passes are now available through RAILS' exhibitor portal for the ALA Annual Conference, June 25–29, in Chicago. RAILS member libraries can purchase exhibit passes for library staff members to visit the exhibit hall at the conference. See...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the Winnetka Park District! Explore More Illinois users can receive swimming beach passes, valid for daily admission to one of Winnetka Park District's swimming beaches...

You're invited to a new series of events called Libraries as Digital Navigators: Library Listening & Learning Circles! These collaborative and welcoming events are a key part of our Human-Centered Design process to ensure the Cook County Digital Navigator Network is built with libraries. They will...

RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris and Associate Executive Director Joe Filapek break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 💬 How you can help shape the future of the Cook County Digital Navigator Network 📱 Our newest toolkit to help you advocate for fair e-book pricing ⚖️ Where we’re at...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the Northbrook Symphony! The Northbrook Symphony is the professional orchestra of Chicago's North Shore. Every season, Music Director Mina Zikri presents five concerts...

Episode 2.7 of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Plot twist: reading culture isn’t built with rewards, levels, or quizzes. Janette and Leah are joined by Pernille Ripp and Dr. Sarah Sansbury to explore reading identity, student choice, and how we can...

Please join RAILS in welcoming two new member libraries: Lake Forest Academy is located in Lake Forest, Illinois. They serve 452 students, and about half the students live on campus as Lake Forest is also a boarding school. Lake Forest serves students in grades 9-12. Central School District 51 is...

RAILS is pleased to share our newly created Library Directory & Learning Calendar (L2) onboarding handout to help libraries acquaint staff with the L2 platform and the benefits of creating an L2 account. Any library type can use this onboarding handout to welcome new employees and trustees, or in...

RAILS is excited to launch a new set of advocacy tools for libraries to build awareness about the challenges of e-book and audiobook pricing. These documents include an advocacy flyer, sample social media graphics, and sample copy that libraries can use to make their communities aware of this...

Dan and Monica kick off the new year with the latest library updates: 🤝 Inside our new partnership with the Cook County Board of Commissioners 📱 Where we're at with the eRead Illinois transition to The Palace Project ⚖️ New Illinois library legislation we're keeping an eye on 🎤 The guest speaker...

Directors University Advanced April 27-30, 2026 Pere Marquette Lodge & Conference Center Grafton, IL Directors University (DU) Advanced applications are now being accepted. DU Advanced is a continuation of Directors University and goes beyond the basics to bring the next level of education and...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the Studebaker Theater in Fine Arts! Presented by The Roald Dahl Story Company and the Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival: Roald Dahl’s The Enormous...

On Wednesday, February 11, 3-4 p.m., we will host a RAILS Member Update. This event will feature three short presentations. A full agenda is attached. Dan Montgomery, Executive Director of the American Library Association, will present on the future of ALA. We anticipate many questions for Dan, so...

Looking for the best deals, discounts, and new resources for your library? The new RAILS Deals & Discounts email lists help you save money, stay informed, and connect with colleagues across the RAILS membership. Whether you manage electronic resources, purchase materials, supplies, or furniture, or...