News from RAILS & Libraries

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Cantigny in Wheaton! Cantigny Park in Wheaton, Illinois, is the 500-acre former estate of Colonel Robert R. McCormick, who lived there from the 1920s until he died in...

The director of the Berwyn Public Library, Tammy Sheedy, has written and published a new children's book titled: Stanley, No! Tails of a Brave Kitten 9798218415952 It's a true story of rescuing an adorable stray kitten that was abandoned. The illustrator, Sarah Gutierrez, is also a staff member...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, The Forge: Lemont Quarries in Lemont! Experience a wide range of outdoor activities and events in a 300-acre park in Lemont, just 22 miles southwest of Chicago. Find an...

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...

Distinguished professor of English & Italian American Studies Professor Fred Gardaphe will read from his memoir-in-progress, A Generation Removed, at the Italian Cultural Center on Saturday, August 3 at 10 a.m. A Generation Removed is a series of interconnected stories of his grandfather's travels...

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...

Applications are now open for the second cohort of the RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Mentorship Program! This program, hosted by the RAILS BIPOC Library Workers Group, is a place for BIPOC Library workers to build relationships, share experiences, and develop skills to advance in their careers...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: My Library Is... Cooking It Up Read the full post on the My Library Is ... website.

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...

Moraine Valley Community College Library is hosting weekly field trips to our library for 8 weeks in summer. Accompanied by camp counselors, the summer camp kids, ages 5-12, walk over to the library to read kids books, play board games, color or draw, and work on puzzles. The books for the littlest...

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...