News from RAILS

RAILS is excited to announce our first tournament of polls: summer vacations reads! We've created a bracket (see attached) and each day on Facebook we'll be running two polls. Thank you to everyone who submitted title suggestions. Below is a voting schedule. Make your voice heard. Voting started...

Congratulations to the winners of the 2020 RAILS Board election: Academic library seat: Gwen Gregory, University of Illinois at Chicago At large seat: Kristine Kenney, Poplar Creek Public Library District Public library trustees: Becky Spratford, La Grange Public Library Elizabeth Tepen, Silvis...

Libraries have two weeks left to apply for a My Library Is… Grant ! This program provides an opportunity for libraries to focus on projects that help tell the library story and that increase visibility and support. Libraries - working alone or with partner organizations - can apply for up to $5,000...

Applications for the Spring 2020 funding cycle of the My Library Is... grant have been extended to Friday, May 22, 2020 . The RAILS My Library Is... Grant program provides an opportunity for libraries to focus on projects that help tell the library story and that increase visibility and support for...

This page was last updated on June 25, 2020 . Many vendors are offering free content, further discounts and flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. BiblioBoard Library : A robust collection of e-content, available to everyone in Illinois. No login or library card required, and all materials are...

This page was last updated on August 6, 2020 . Take free online tours of museums, watch an opera, or visit the world's most beautiful libraries. If you'd like to suggest a virtual attraction to add to the list, please email us at info@exploremoreillinois.org . Architecture and Libraries Visit seven...

This page was last updated on June 25, 2020 . Many free online educational resources are available to support student learning. This includes otherwise paid resources which have been available at no cost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Below is a list of some notable resources: Beanstalk :...

RAILS would like to remind members of our vast array of free, recorded webinars and workshops available through the RAILS CE Archives. At a time when many libraries may require staff to work from home for the foreseeable future, engaging in staff learning may be an excellent option for...

The Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) granted RAILS an additional $50,000 to provide census promotional materials and technology to public libraries beyond the collar counties. This allows us to expand our outreach to other hard-to-count or traditionally undercounted populations in the...

The RAILS My Library Is... Grant program provides an opportunity for libraries to focus on projects that help tell the library story and that increase visibility and support for all types of libraries. Libraries, working alone or with partner organizations, can apply for up to $5,000. RAILS is...