News & Announcements from RAILS

Monica recaps the successful banned books week program that she participated in with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and encourages members to submit their public comments on Public Act 103-0100 before the October 25 deadline. Dan and Monica also discuss the recent increase in library bomb...

In 2022, while undergoing a major two-phase renovation, the Lisle Library District (LLD) fundraised for a special feature in the Youth Services department: a LiteZilla. The wall installation is akin to a giant Lite Brite with larger pegs that are safe for all ages. The library led the fundraising...

During the 2022-23 school year, library staff were informed that both of the D219 high school libraries (Niles North and Niles West) would be undergoing significant overhauls. We knew that remodels were on the horizon as we hadn’t been updated in a very long time, but the timeline was earlier than...

Visit RAILS at exhibit booth #401 at the ILA conference in Springfield, October 24–26. Exhibit hours are Wednesday, October 25, noon–5 p.m., and Thursday, October 26, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. RAILS is a Leadership Partner sponsor of the conference and is sponsoring the Exhibits Lunch on Wednesday. RAILS staff...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes back attraction, DuPage Symphony Orchestra in Naperville! The DuPage Symphony Orchestra is an award-winning local orchestra located in DuPage County and the 2021 Community Orchestra of the...

With Banned Books Week quickly approaching, Monica talks about the Book Challenges on the Rise program she'll be participating in with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Dan and Monica also share highlights from the recent joint meeting between RAILS and IHLS at the Illinois State Library. Both...

Dan and Monica talk about the qualities RAILS is looking for in their next Director of Consulting and Continuing Education, highlights from Directors University, and the new Unite Against Book Bans in Illinois initiative. Links: Director of Consulting and Continuing Education job posting Directors...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Haitian American Museum of Chicago in Chicago! The mission of the Haitian American Museum of Chicago is “ To promote and preserve Haitian art, culture, history and...

Realizing that the biography collection had some big gaps in representation while working with students was an inspiration for this RAILS grant. I wanted students to be able to see themselves in the collection of life stories and also be able to see outside their daily lives in Libertyville. This...

Are you passionate about intellectual freedom and defending the freedom to read? With censorship efforts surging at unprecedented levels across the country, a coalition of library support organizations including ILA, AISLE, IHLS, and RAILS are seeking to create a network of regional response teams...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Community Players Theatre in Bloomington! Community Players is a charitable, nonprofit theatrical organization dedicated to the idea that live theater enhances the...

In 2022 Illinois Institute of Technology established the Galvin Library Media Studio (GLaMS) with funds received from the On the Road to Recovery: Transforming Library Spaces grant offered through the Illinois State Library. The new studio provides the space and tools necessary for patrons to...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Bronzeville Children’s Museum in Chicago! The first and only African American children's museum in the country serving all children ages 4-9 years old. Focus on history...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, The Insect Asylum in Chicago! The Insect Asylum is a safe and welcoming space for people from all walks of life to explore natural history in all of its splendor...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Chicago Botanic Garden in Glencoe! The Chicago Botanic Garden opened 50 years ago as a beautiful place to visit, and it has matured into one of the world’s great living...