News & Announcements from RAILS

Pandemic Programming – Baby Goats, Churros, and Pumpkins Like many public libraries, the Lisle Library District has been challenged to provide new, primarily outdoor events for our community in response to the pandemic. Annual inside pre-pandemic events had included Harry Potter Day and Star Wars...

Debbie Baaske talks with Brenda Stenger, the director of the American Hospital Association Resource Center. Brenda discusses how the resource center serves the organization and outside users, and how demand has grown during the pandemic. She also shares some great ways that she’s marketed the...

RAILS Member Engagement Manager Dan Bostrom talks with Cheryl A. Hansen, Research Librarian at the ESi Library about what ESi does and who they serve. Specialized Library Spotlight: ESi Library

Are you looking for a new way to gather input and spark ideas in your community? Try a community conversation. The Vespasian Warner Public Library District in Clinton held a community conversation in August thanks to grant funding from Libraries Transforming Communities (LTC): Focus on Small and...

Did you know that there are over 100 specialized libraries in RAILS? Each specialized library serves a unique audience with specialized resources. As part of the My Library Is... campaign, RAILS is looking to spotlight specialized libraries and how they make a difference in their organization...

Do you need help demonstrating the value of your library to different stakeholders? Want to know what to say to justify the need for continued/increased library funding or staffing? Would you like to attract new library users? Want advice on how to promote the library’s role in identifying fake news...

The fall season may seem like an odd time to think about gardening, but it is the perfect time of year to start a Seed Library. A Seed Library is a collection of herb, flower, fruit, and vegetable seeds that are available for “check-out”. Library card holders are invited to “borrow” free seeds at...

Listening to the radio recently, I was reminded that this week is the semi-annual fundraising drive for my local public radio station. A couple of times each hour, an announcer would mention the drive and invite listeners to support the station. Instructions on how to make a donation were given, and...

Back in June, it was with cautious optimism that I emailed our staff to say “we’re getting the band back together!” It was time to dust off the prize wheel, order tchotchkes, air out the tent, and get back out into the community for some personal interaction with residents. We received a number of...

Small and rural libraries play a critical role in connecting community members to vital resources and programs. Each year nearly 30 million Americans are served by the nation’s approximately 4,000 rural library systems. This number illustrates the value that local communities place on library...

…watercolor bookmark, clay pot gnome, beeswax wrap, cactus rock, painted tea towel, clay pot leprechaun hat, framed burlap chick, sock bunny, decoupage trinket tray, bird mason jar, braided bracelet, swirly paper flowers, lip balm tin, tiny herb pot, tulip string art… Crafts have been a popular...

I have a love/hate relationship with August. I hate August because it sometimes feels useless. August is long and hot and dreary. Summer reading is wrapping up or is over already, but it is too soon to start thinking about next year. Patrons seem to be far too preoccupied with tying up their own...

What happens when you realize that your community is unaware that they have access to a library? You apply for a My Library Is... grant and use those funds to create awareness that the public library is combined with the school library! In this podcast, RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks...

Northern Illinois University ( NIU) is home to several programs designed to facilitate meaningful collaborations that address state and regional challenges, promote growth, manage change, and build stronger communities. NIU’s Division of Outreach, Engagement, and Regional Development ( OERD) creates...

Thank you to all of the libraries that have already participated in the #FundLibraries Challenge! We've seen some incredible creations from libraries who want everyone to know how they make a difference in their community. Who knew you could make such wonderful things out of books? It really...