News from RAILS & Libraries

The American Library Association (ALA) has sent an alert to library workers to tell their representatives to fund libraries. The House Appropriations Committee has approved its budget, which includes a 15% cut to the only federal library funding agency. This devastating budget will soon be presented...

Calling all innovators in library education! RAILS is thrilled to launch our next grant initiative to empower RAILS member libraries through Continuing Education (CE) events. You can shape future professional development opportunities by applying for up to $2,000 in funding per grant to support...

The Secretary of State and the Illinois State Library (ISL) are excited to share more details about the statewide e-resource package. In June, it was announced that the contract was finalized with EBSCO to provide a suite of resources available to all Illinois communities at no charge. A full list...

My Library Is... Cooking was a grant to purchase updated cookbooks for our library. Our library’s cookbook selection was unappealing and outdated, and this grant allowed me to purchase a whole new set of cookbooks based on input from both staff and students. We hosted a book club potluck in the...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes back for the 2024 season, the Chicago Red Stars in Bridgeview! Established in 2007, the Red Stars were a founding member of the former Women’s Professional Soccer and would later become one...

Dan and Monica talk about the eagerly-anticipated statewide e-resource package, exciting new opportunities for library catalogers, and resources available for school librarians to remain in compliance with Public Act 103-0100 as they head back to school. Relevant Links: Statewide e-Resource Package...

Illinois Heartland Library System (IHLS) recently published an FAQ for schools regarding Public Act 103-0100 on book bans. This legislation is designed to protect Illinois libraries' freedom to acquire materials and Illinoisans' freedom to read. This law mandates that every Illinois library...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra in Ottawa! This season we celebrate the diamond anniversary of the Illinois Valley Symphony Orchestra, presenting a wealth of...

We are thrilled to announce the launch of the Illinois Cataloging Mentorship Program (iCAMP), a year-long initiative designed to support all levels of current and aspiring cataloging staff. Program Overview: iCAMP operates on a comprehensive year-long framework, structured to facilitate growth and...

As we all know libraries have changed over the years, from e-books, chromebooks, and maker spaces to adding STEAM, reading nests, Lego and Lite Brite walls and so much more. However, one passion of mine has always been to keep real books in the hands of the students. Students need to understand how...

The Macomb High School library was honored to receive the My Library Is... Grant in the amount of $5,000. This grant is sponsored by the RAILS Library System and promotes collaborative projects between libraries and their community. Ms. Pittman’s and Ms. Eddington’s English students visited the...

My school is bilingual. And my library was too . . . sort of. Thanks to the RAILS My Library Is… Grant money, I can now say with confidence that the library is a bilingual space that serves all of our students. Brentano Math and Science Academy is a bilingual school. We have many students who speak...

“I can’t find anything to read. Nothing interests me. These books are too hard. I do not know where the book is located.” Sound familiar? The My Library Is... Grant provided funding to update and enhance the library collection and reading experience. It also provided colorful new signage to improve...

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...