News from RAILS & Libraries

Season 2 is officially in session! The premiere is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Settle into back-to-school season with Janette and Leah as they unpack all the library propaganda we're not falling for. No homework—just laughs, mythbusting, and a few hot takes. Have a...

The Illinois School Library Workers Symposium will be held on Wednesday, September 17. This event is open to all levels of library staff but designed for individuals working in school libraries with no formal library education, certified or non-certified, paraprofessionals, and those considering...

From the My Library Is... Blog: Incorporating Spanish language books into your school library collection isn’t just about providing enjoyable reading material; it’s about creating an environment that values diversity, promotes language development, and prepares students for a global world. Whether...

Registration for the JJC Fall 2025 Session is now underway for new and returning students. 2025 Fall Semester starts 8/18. Join us online. Each of the following 3 credit classes run for 16 weeks. The semester ends 12/12, in plenty of time to prepare for your holidays! LTA 101- Introduction to...

The Aurora Public Library District is seeking proposals from experienced developers or design professionals to create a custom HTML header for our Vega library catalog. Proposal Deadline: August 29, 2025, by 2:00 p.m. Deadline for Questions: August 20, 2025, by 2:00 p.m. Submit Proposals/Questions...

We are looking for organizations to sponsor the first-ever Libraries Count: RAILS Data Conference! Now more than ever, libraries are leveraging data to support their work—but acquiring the necessary data skills isn’t easy. Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS) and the Illinois Library...

There’s a reason that library workers picture blue bins when they hear about RAILS—delivery is one of our most important and widely-used services! Our member libraries receive high-quality library delivery service up to five days a week. In 2024, our 46 delivery staff produced a 2813% return on...

From the My Library Is... Blog: At Rockford University we know that student research and expression can take many forms – sometimes written, sometimes visual, and increasingly, spoken or recorded. That’s why we’re excited to announce a brand-new creative space opening in Fall 2025: The Audio Lab @...

Friday August 29, 9am-1pm Arlington Heights Memorial Library Build your accessibility network at this energizing unconference. Whether you have expertise to share on a specific topic or want to discover what’s working in other libraries, this is the perfect chance to connect, mentor, learn, and find...

From the My Library Is... Blog: Logos may act as the first opportunity for patrons to connect with the library. Found on bookmarks, signage, websites, and other outreach materials, a well-designed logo is a tool to aid the public perception of the library. So, what does an effective library logo...

2025 Powering Safe Communities Program Awards Over $165,000 in Grants to 23 Communities Across Northern Illinois ComEd and the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus are proud to announce the latest recipients of the Powering Safe Communities Grant Program, kickstarting projects focused on public safety and...

From the My Library Is... Blog: The Manhattan-Elwood Public Library applied for the My Library Is... Grant to furnish our new branch with a curated selection of Spanish titles and resources for the community. Our library district serves the villages of Manhattan, Elwood, and Jackson Township in the...

Aurora, IL — The Aurora Public Library District is proud to announce that three of its staff members have been selected as 2025 ALA Spectrum Scholars by the American Library Association. This prestigious national honor supports the advancement of diversity in the library profession through...

From the My Library Is... Blog: Reaching Forward North is a professional development conference for library support staff in central and northern Illinois put on by the Illinois Library Association. This took place on May 1, 2025. The staff at RAILS operated a booth at the conference and hosted a...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month’s RAILS Minute: 💡 A new leadership program for all levels of library staff 📈 Our first-ever upcoming data conference 💰 The millions of dollars saved through RAILS Deals & Discounts Relevant Links: RAILS Catalyst Libraries Count: RAILS Data...