News & Announcements from RAILS

When it comes to advocacy, numbers often speak louder than words. Whether it’s the public library board, school superintendent, or a taxpaying resident, they need numbers to understand the value of libraries and provide support. Our members rely on RAILS’s data team to research, analyze, and present...

The Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) has selected five libraries to receive RAILS Cataloging Membership Grants. Congratulations to this year's recipients: Camp Point Public Library (RSA) - $9,413.87 Chadwick Public Library (RRLC) - $23,239.00 Hamilton Public Library (RSA) - $12,910.00...

A Glimpse Into Thai Royal Correspondence As part of our ongoing efforts in the RAILS World Language Cataloging Service, we are excited to feature a fascinating item recently cataloged for Northern Illinois University (NIU) library collection: พระราชหัตถเลขาในพระบาทสมเด็จพระปรเมนทรมหามงกุฏ...

All RAILS service centers will be closed on Thursday, June 19, for the Juneteenth holiday.

The season finale of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. In "Thnks Fr Th Mmrs," Leah and Janette go straight to the source for school library wisdom: Oak Lawn-Hometown Middle School librarian Heather McCarthy and two of her eighth graders, Emily and...

Congratulations to the 2025 candidates who have been elected to the RAILS Board of Directors: At-Large Seats Yolande Wilburn, Evanston Public Library Megan Gove, Talcott Free Library Public Library Trustee Seats Roberta Parks, Peoria Public Library Ron Holohan, Dunlap Public Library District Carolyn...

We're accepting sealed bids to replace our server hardware. Proposals are due no later than 1:00pm on June 23, 2025. Specifications and submission details are available in the attached document.

There’s no need to re-invent the wheel in library land—our library workers are all about collaborating and sharing. At RAILS, we support 102 networking groups by offering them resources to help make important connections. We also host 24 different email lists, where library workers can ask topical...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, the Elgin History Museum in Elgin! The Elgin History Museum is located in a stately Greek Revival brick building that was built as Elgin Academy in 1856. The Museum has...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Gillson Swimming Beach in Wilmette! Gillson Park offers 60 acres of beautiful lakefront property ideal for picnics, bicycling, volleyball, soccer, tennis, and many...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Glencoe Beach in Glencoe! Glencoe Beach is ideal for group and family outings, work picnics, or summer camp groups! Lifeguards are on duty daily during operational...

Dan and Monica recap all the latest updates on the IMLS funding situation, including important news from the Illinois State Library about the upcoming fiscal year. They also chat about the exciting new rebrand of Explore More Illinois, the current RAILS Board Election, and RAILS grant programs...

On Friday, May 16, Devon Braunstein, Director, Illinois Office of Broadband announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce terminated funding for the Digital Equity Capacity Grant. This funding, originally part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, provides funding for states to implement...

On Thursday, May 15, 2025, the Cook County Board of Commissioners voted to approved $850,000 for a project aimed at improving digital equity. This funding, which was awarded to RAILS by the Cook County Board of Commissioners, will go towards the design and implementation of a Digital Navigator...

Episode eight of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Instead of feeling sad, let's get mad. In "An Airing of Grievances," co-hosts Janette and Leah host a mid-year Festivus, addressing the current library landscape and reading listener-submitted rants...