In the latest Sparks podcast, RAILS Executive Director talks with Annie Bostrom, Associate Editor for Adult Books at Booklist, and chair of the 2019 Andrew Carnegie Medals. They talk about attending the Carnegie awards dinner, the process of choosing the winners, the wonders of meeting authors, and reading the best books.
Individuals and libraries should update their L2 profiles before the new L2 (Library Directory and Learning Calendar) is launched next year. This will also ensure that other members will be able to find the most up-to-date information about your library. Library directors and other library employees with elevated edit permissions in L2 can update most of the library's info (address, phone number, etc.) for the library.
Individuals are also encouraged to create or update their own accounts to be able to register for continuing education events and so other members will be able to contact you for networking purposes. To create an account, go to librarylearning.info. Click the "Sign In" link at the top, then follow the prompts on the screen. Or if you already have an account, but need to update it, log into L2 with your email and password. Click on your name in the upper right corner.
For help making any of these changes, contact L2Help@railslibraries.info.
Based on feedback from our member libraries of all sizes and types (academic, public, school, and special), RAILS has launched a campaign to help libraries prove their value to their different stakeholders. The latest addition to the campaign is the MyLibraryIs.org website. A key feature of the site is the Sharing Showcase, where libraries can post stories, talking points, marketing plans, videos, press releases, social media posts, and more.
The site also includes a Get Started section, with general resources and toolkits, library value calculators, information on networking opportunities, and specific information for each type of library. There is also a blog where RAILS and members will share helpful information and a training section that includes networking opportunities, webinars, and workshops.
The RAILS' My Library Is… campaign, is designed to help our members tell their stories and promote their value to different stakeholders, including library users, potential users, parent institutions, governing boards, funders, colleagues, elected officials, and other stakeholders.
We will launch a campaign website in June, and we need your help! A major feature of the website will be the chance for members to share best practices and ideas that other libraries can use/imitate to tell their stories. We would like to have member content available to share when the website launches. Read more about what you can contribute and send your items to communications@railslibraries.info.
Since its beginning in 2008, L2 (librarylearning.info) has grown from purely a continuing education calendar, to also a directory of system member libraries. Since that time, L2 has evolved into a critical tool for staff from all types of libraries, library systems, LLSAPs, and the Illinois State Library.
RAILS recently received special grant funding from the Illinois State Library for a total restructure and refresh of L2 that will result in a more robust and flexible platform that better suits the ongoing needs of all those who use L2. Stay tuned for member opportunities to share how you use L2 and issues you may have with the platform. In the meantime, if you have any comments or questions, please contact L2r@railslibraries.info. Read more about this in News from RAILS.
On April 1, Explore More Illinois, RAILS' cultural pass program, went live. Currently, we have 90 libraries participating, with 16 attractions and 18 offers for your patrons to access around the state. We will be adding libraries and attractions on a rolling basis. For more information about Explore More Illinois, visit www.exploremoreillinois.org.
