News from RAILS & Libraries

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Join us for a special screening & discussion of Free for All. This documentary shares how public libraries shaped the country and continue to be a sanctuary for Americans everywhere. Free for All tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a simple idea happen. From the pioneering women...

RAILS is proud to present our accomplishments over the past year with the release of the 2024 RAILS Annual Report. This report provides valuable data and visuals that bring our achievements to life, highlighting our impact on Illinois libraries through our wide range of programs and services. “We...

Episode seven of Can't Shelve This is now available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more. Every student deserves to be seen in their school library. In "E is for Everyone," Janette and Leah are joined by "A" (local school librarian) and Jessica Silva (RAILS Member Engagement Specialist) to...

Libraries are all about supporting lifelong learning. RAILS provides free continuing education (CE) through webinars, in-person training, and virtual RAILS Learning Labs. The best part? Any staff or trustees working in a RAILS member library can participate. Our CE team monitors what conversations...

Attorney General Kwame Raoul, as part of a coalition of 21 attorneys general, is suing the Trump administration to stop the dismantling of three federal agencies that provide services and funding supporting public libraries and museums, workers and minority-owned businesses nationwide. In March, the...

The Putnam County Public Library District will host a film screening, in partnership with Independent Lens and WTVP, of “Free for All: The Public Library,” on Thursday, April 10th, at 5:00 p.m. in celebration of National Library Week. The film tells the story of the quiet revolutionaries who made a...

New Executive Director Takes Over at the Des Plaines Public Library

Dear Library Colleagues: On March 14, President Trump issued an executive order mandating the elimination of seven agencies, including one that funds libraries around the country – the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The executive order, which we believe violates the law, will have...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Fabyan Villa & Japanese Garden in Geneva! The Fabyan Villa Museum tells the story of Colonel George and Nelle Fabyan in their 1907 Frank Lloyd Wright re-designed home...

Explore More Illinois, RAILS’ online cultural and recreational pass program for Illinois libraries, welcomes its newest attraction, Chicago Tempest Women’s Pro Rugby in Evanston! The Chicago Tempest are one of the original six team in the first professional women's rugby league, Women's Elite Rugby...

The Illinois North Central Economic Region of the Broadband Regional Engagement for Adoption + Digital Equity (READY) initiative, led by Illinois State University, is excited to offer grants to public libraries to support digital equity initiatives that align with the state’s Digital Equity Plan...

East Dundee, IL – After a thorough search, the Fox River Valley Public Library District is happy to announce the appointment of Kristi Howe as the new Executive Director. Howe brings a strong library leadership and management background, having served in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. Her...

The Orland Park Public Library is proud to announce that Library Director Mary Adamowski has been awarded the prestigious Woman in Leadership Award by the Orland Women’s Networking (OWN) committee, a division of the Orland Park Area Chamber of Commerce. The award was presented at the OWN Luncheon...

President Trump recently issued an Executive Order reducing staff in federal agencies, including the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for libraries. IMLS provides essential support to libraries across the U.S., and national organizations like the...