News & Announcements from RAILS

The Illinois North Central Economic Region of the Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption + Digital Equity (READY) initiative, led by Illinois State University, is excited to offer grants to public libraries to support digital equity initiatives that align with the state’s Digital Equity Plan...

President Trump recently issued an Executive Order reducing staff in federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for libraries. IMLS provides essential support to libraries across the U.S., and national organizations like the...

Dan and Monica address the news about President Trump's executive order affecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). At the state level, Monica covers four pieces of library-related legislation to keep an eye on. In RAILS news, they talk about the six open seats on the RAILS Board...

Would you like to work with a dedicated team of colleagues representing all types and sizes of libraries to help shape the future of a member-driven, vibrant, and innovative library system? RAILS is seeking nominees for six volunteer positions on its Board of Directors. Two at-large seats (three...

[This article was updated on Wednesday, March 19 with new information.] Late on March 14, President Trump issued an Executive Order that continues the reduction in staff for Federal agencies. One of the seven agencies named in the order is the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the...

RAILS wanted to create stronger ties between libraries and local cultural attractions while making access to local attractions easy and affordable. The solution? Explore More Illinois. Explore More Illinois is a cultural pass program that provides participating library cardholders with access to...

RAILS gathers data about school libraries for use in education, advocacy, and equity work through its School Library Advocacy Through Education (SLATE) project. In previous years, data was gathered through the Annual Certification process required for libraries belonging to a regional library system...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes back for their 2025 season attraction, Chicago Stars FC in Bridgeview! Founded in 2007, Chicago Stars FC (formerly known as the Chicago Red Stars) was a key founding member of Women’s...

Episode six of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. We talk about certified school librarianship all the time in Library Land, but what does that even mean? In "Let's Get Certified," Janette and Leah break it down for you in this episode with Lauren Ochs...

As the world has gone digital, books have, too. eRead Illinois expands access to e-books and e-audiobooks to Illinois residents through their participating libraries. What started as a grant program in 2013 has grown into an impressive platform where students, teachers, and community members can...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, The 1843 Durant-Peterson House Museum in St. Charles! The Durant-Peterson House Museum is the original homestead of Bryant and Jerusha Durant, built in 1843. Your visit...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Oakton College Performing Arts Center in Des Plaines! The Oakton College Performing Arts Center, originally built in as a lecture hall, was renovated in 2001, adding a...

Do you ever wonder how RAILS is funded and can afford to provide resources to its members? Most of our funding is provided from the Illinois State Library and the Illinois Secretary of State. However, the Illinois State Library receives roughly 10% of their total budget from the Institute of Museum...

In news of a federal grant freeze, Dan and Monica explain how RAILS is funded. They also address the recent legal questions from our members about immigration enforcement and First Amendment rights. Lastly, Monica emphasizes the importance of serving your community and highlights a resource that...

RAILS is excited to announce the formation of the Leadership Training Design Team, a group of current and aspiring leaders tasked with creating a new leadership training initiative for staff at member libraries of all types. Tentatively scheduled to launch in Fall 2025, this program aims to provide...