News from RAILS & Libraries

Palatine Public Library District Board of Library Trustees announced that Palatine Library Executive Director Jeannie Dilger has given notice that she is retiring from libraries on July 7, 2024. Dilger has worked in libraries for 38 years, including the last six years as Executive Director at...

Gail Borden Public Library District is kicking off its 150th anniversary in fine style with holiday lights, a reception, programs, exhibits and more. Thanks to the Elgin Courier News and the Chicago Tribune for the coverage and for allowing the library to carry this whole article on Gail Borden's...

Due to a resignation from the RAILS Board, we have an opening for an at-large seat for a term ending on Sunday, June 30, 2024. Any individual representing a RAILS academic, public, school, or specialized library is eligible to self-nominate for this seat by Thursday, December 28, 2023 at 5 p.m...

From the My Library Is ... Blog: Like many libraries, the Paul V. Galvin Library at the Illinois Institute of Technology receives more donated books than can possibly be added to the collection. Many of the donated titles are fiction and while we do have a leisure reading collection, only a small...

The new networking group senior programming meets for the first time on Friday, December 1 on Zoom from 10:00-11:00 am. This group is for librarians and library staff who plan/run programming for seniors/older adults in public libraries. Programming for older adults can be challenging as they are a...

Waukegan Public Library hosted an Austism Awareness fundraiser in April 2023 to support the creation of an accessibility collection and sensory kits. The event, supported by the Library's Foundation and parent advocates, allowed parents and kids to connect with support services while enjoying a meal...

The Winnetka-Northfield Public Library District and the Winnetka Historical Society are thrilled to announce the launch of our Winnetka Talk Digital Archive. The archive contains nearly every Winnetka Talk published since 1913 and is available online at wnpld.org to anyone with a Winnetka-Northfield...

The NILRC Professional Development Committee is hosting a special webinar entitled “Springsharing is Caring!” on November 30 from 10-11:30 am. The first 45 minutes of this webinar will be discussion on how NILRC Member libraries use Springshare products (LibCal, LibAnswers, LibGuides, etc.). Bring...

As part of our ongoing commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), RAILS provides opportunities for members to learn and apply concepts that build equitable library organizations. We are pleased to announce the latest offering to our membership, Social Justice in Public Libraries from...

The archived videos from the Illinois School Library Workers Symposium (ISLWS) are now available from the RAILS YouTube channel. The videos were originally recorded at the first-ever ISLWS event on Wednesday, September 20, 2023. This event is designed for individuals who are working in school...

In October, OPALGA+ (Oak Park Area Gay and Lesbian Association) recognized the Oak Park Public Library for “outstanding efforts on behalf of LGBTQ+ people in Oak Park and the surrounding area.” The library’s Executive Director Joslyn Bowling Dixon accepted the OPALGA+ Mel Wilson Founders Award at...

RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris introduces our new Director of Marketing and Communications, Dan Bostrom! Together, they discuss what's on the agenda for the upcoming RAILS Member Update, a new EDI resource for members called Freedom Lifted, and the My Library Is... grant opportunity that is...

We welcome staff at all levels from all types of RAILS libraries (academic, public, school, and specialized) to join the RAILS Member Update on Wednesday, November 15, from 1 to 2 p.m. on Zoom. Topics will include new EDI member resource information, broadband updates in Illinois, the My Library Is...

Just a handful of seats left for the return of ARRTCon! Join the Adult Reading Round Table on Thursday, November 30th for the return of ARRTCon, an all-day readers' advisory conference for library workers. The schedule will include keynotes by Becky Spratford from RA for All and author Shelby Van...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Lyric Opera in Chicago! At Lyric, you’ll be amazed, replenished, and inspired with must-see, must-hear live experiences. Through the timeless power of voice, acting...