News & Announcements from RAILS

RAILS is excited to announce RAILS Catalyst, a brand-new leadership development program for library staff. If you’re passionate about advancing your library career and building your leadership skills, we encourage you to apply! RAILS Catalyst will feature real-time coaching from a leadership expert...

The RAILS My Library Is... Grant provided the crucial financial resources necessary to bring our vision to life. Our plan, initially called the “Ready Player One” Lounge, was to create a visible, public gaming venue that would serve as an ongoing draw for student veterans at the library and...

On March 14, 2025, Executive Order 14238, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). RAILS is spotlighting libraries and institutions in Illinois that have received IMLS grant money and sharing how they...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 🗳️ Results from the 2025 RAILS Board election 💰 Key updates on IMLS funding 🌐 A new digital equity opportunity for suburban Cook County libraries 📊 A spotlight on the impactful work from the RAILS data team Relevant Links: RAILS...

“Your Free Pass to…” was a partnership with Moline Public Library and Rock Island Public Library to create a cost-effective marketing campaign to increase awareness and library use in neighboring communities that are underserved, racially diverse, and may face language barriers. The project aimed to...

On March 14, 2025, Executive Order 14238, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). RAILS is spotlighting libraries and institutions in Illinois that have received IMLS grant money and sharing how they...

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...

Does your academic library have an archive collection? Is it located in a storage closet? Or basement? If you asked your college community about the archive, what would they say? Our library team took an alternative approach to engagement and created multidimensional displays within glass display...

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...

On March 14, 2025, Executive Order 14238, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” called for the elimination of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). RAILS is spotlighting libraries and institutions in Illinois that have received IMLS grant money and sharing how they...

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...

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...

I am honored that Gower Middle School received one of the My Library Is... Grants for the 2024-2025 school year! We did not have a certified librarian from 2003-2018. When I took over the position as district librarian in 2018, there were so many books that needed to be weeded and replaced. While I...

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...

At Washington District Library (WDL), we’re always looking for ways to bring library services into the community and are lucky to have a fantastic partner in the Washington Park District. Installing a Storywalk® in a nearby park was an obvious step for us. Getting It Done WDL is a smaller library...