RAILS Website Articles

Latest News

  • RAILS Year in Review: 2024

    RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris looks back at all the great work we’ve done together this year. We wish you all the best as we say goodbye to 2024 and we’re looking forward to the important work we will do together in 2025. Happy Holidays!

  • RAILS Closed December 24 and 25

    RAILS will be closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 24 and 25 in observance of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Delivery services will not be provided. RAILS will reopen on Thursday, December 26.

  • “Illinois Libraries: Agencies of Impact” Media Kit Now Available

    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 web page. In this media kit, libraries will find all the infographics...

  • Explore More Illinois Welcomes Forest Park Nature Center

    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...

  • RAILS Minute - November 13, 2024

    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...

  • Now Available: Can't Shelve This Episode 3

    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...

  • 2025 My Library Is… Grants Now Open for Application

    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 Welcomes Harris Theater for Music and Dance

    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...

  • RAILS Opens Online Store

    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...

  • Opportunity to Join the RAILS Board

    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...

  • Register for the RAILS Member Update on 11/13

    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.

  • RAILS Minute - October 23, 2024

    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...

  • Monica Harris of RAILS Wins Crystal Honor Award

    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...

  • RAILS Premieres Find More Illinois Promo Video

    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...