News from RAILS

All RAILS members must complete certification to continue to receive RAILS services and Illinois State Library (ISL) grants. The 2021 annual library online certification process runs from February 15 to May 15. Certification will be done through L2, and libraries will no longer need a separate...

In April 2020, RAILS began a new program to feature library workers on its Facebook page. In the "10 Questions" program, we've been able to get to know people from various types of RAILS libraries. The program has been so successful that RAILS is running it again! We've developed ten new questions...

In this episode: an update on the Cards for Kids act, next steps in the RAILS EDI initiative, and a new resource for library data.

In this episode: previewing the 1/28 RAILS Member Update, recapping the Trustee Update 2021 event, and libraries could become vaccination sites.

In this episode: looking back at 2020, how libraries have been resilient through the pandemic, and the important role libraries will play in 2021.

The Vendor Privacy Policy web page is now available for RAILS public libraries to access. This resource was developed in response to feedback from Electronic Subscription Managers Network Group (ESLUM) networking group members. The page contains links to privacy policies for third-party vendors who...

RAILS is interested in meeting with your networking group! While the pandemic continues, we're reaching out to RAILS networking groups who are interested in having RAILS Executive Deirdre Brennan, RAILS Associate Executive Director Monica Harris, and/or RAILS Member Engagement Manager Dan Bostrom...

In this episode: a recap of the December 8 RAILS Member Update, RAILS receives a $125k e-book grant, and virtual visits for networking groups.

Everyone in Illinois now has access to thousands of e-books and more, without the need of a library card. Public libraries statewide offer free e-books for the over 12 million Illinois residents and anyone else in the state, through a partnership between the Reaching Across Illinois Library System...

In this episode: Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 mitigation efforts and libraries, RAILS welcomes a new board member, and an update on Public Library Per Capita Grants for FY21. Happy Thanksgiving!