News & Announcements from RAILS

The FY 2025 application and expenditure report that documents the disbursement of the FY 2023 award are due on Thursday, January 30, 2025. To be eligible, a public library must meet all statutory requirements, including providing library services that meet or make progress toward meeting Illinois...

RAILS published Illinois Libraries: Agencies of Impact, a Data Study in September 2024 to help member libraries of all types and sizes demonstrate their value to various stakeholders. We have now added a media kit to the study’s webpage. In this media kit, libraries will find all the infographics...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Forest Park Nature Center in Peoria Heights! Forest Park Nature Center offers seven miles of trails for hiking and nature enjoyment and is home to a gift shop that...

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...