News & Announcements from RAILS

RAILS proudly recognized the service of each of our outgoing board members at the Friday, June 21, 2024 board meeting: Rosie Camargo from the South Holland Public Library served in an at-large seat, April 2022 - June 2024. Alice Creason from the Richton Park Public Library served in a public library...

Please join RAILS in welcoming our new member library, Liberty CUSD #2 , a public school district located in Liberty, Illinois. The district has two schools. Liberty Elementary School serves grades PK-6 and Liberty High School serves students in grades 7–12. According to the Illinois State Board of...

The Illinois State Library (ISL) has been contacting libraries with news about the statewide e-resource package. The contract for this package has been finalized with EBSCO. This e-resource package will be available to all Illinois communities without any charge. We have attached a list of all...

For data collection purposes, the Illinois State Library issues control and branch numbers for each library. This information helps the Illinois State Library and the library systems identify library agencies and locations for membership, grants, and other purposes. To find your control and branch...

Dan and Monica announce our newly-elected board members, what libraries need to know to be in compliance with Title II, and how you might be interested in exploring our growing interlibrary loan platform, Find More Illinois. Relevant Links: 2024 RAILS Board candidate videos Digital Accessibility...

We are pleased to announce that RAILS is now an Illinois state-approved professional development provider authorized to issue professional development credit to Illinois licensed educators for license renewal purposes. This alignment with Illinois state standards for professional development ensures...

Congratulations to the 2024 candidates who have been elected to the RAILS Board: At-Large Seats Amanda Kowalcze, Frankfort Public Library District Emily Porter, Byron Public Library District Public Library Trustee Seats Jennifer Cutshall, Homewood Public Library District Anupam Goel, Clarendon Hills...

The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is awarding $2 million in new grants to assist public libraries in underserved communities with needed technology enhancements, Secretary and State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias announced today. According to the Secretary of State’s office, 113 public libraries...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Quad City Botanical Center in Rock Island! Adjacent to the Mississippi River in downtown Rock Island, Illinois, the Quad City Botanical Center is comprised of an indoor...

The Illinois State Library has notified RAILS that a vendor has been selected for the statewide e-resource package. The Illinois Office of the Secretary of State and the Illinois State Library have not officially announced this news. Therefore, RAILS cannot officially comment on this situation other...

This is the final week to vote in the 2024 RAILS Board Election. As a representative of a RAILS member library, your vote matters! Each year, RAILS member libraries cast their ballots to help determine our governing board. Voting ends on Friday, May 24, 5 p.m. Central. Each RAILS member library...

Dan and Monica talk all things digital accessibility in this month's episode, including an overview of our new Pulse Page, a continuing education opportunity on June 12, and the rescheduled RAILS Member Update. Relevant Links: Digital Accessibility Pulse Page RAILS Member Update, June 6 The Modern...

RAILS is now offering copies of the 2024 Illinois Library Laws & Rules book. This essential compilation includes all current laws and rules affecting library service in Illinois. The purchase price of $25 includes the book and flash drive. Visit the Deals & Discounts web page of the RAILS website...

We welcome staff at all levels from all types of RAILS libraries (academic, public, school, and specialized) to join the RAILS Member Update on Thursday, June 6, from 10 to 11 a.m. on Zoom. This event was originally planned for Wednesday, May 8, but had to be postponed. Topics will include a...

Explore More Illinois Welcomes Back Normal CornBelters Baseball Team for Their 2024 Season Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Normal CornBelters in Normal! The Normal CornBelters are a collegiate, wood...