RAILS Libraries

Good news: we have a new date for the RAILS Member Meetup at Paw Paw Public Library! Join us on Thursday, January 23 at 10 a.m. to meet other librarians from the area and connect on issues related to the profession. ➡ Register at librarylearning.org/event/2025-01-….

RAILS will be closed on the following days for the Christmas and New Year holidays: Tuesday, December 24, 2024 Wednesday, December 25, 2024 Tuesday, December 31, 2024 Wednesday, January 1, 2025 Delivery services will not be provided.

❄✨ As we wrap up 2024, we’d like to take a moment and look back at all the great work we’ve done together this year. We wish you all the best this holiday season and we’re looking forward to the important work we will do together in 2025. youtu.be/4VbdI10TgRI

Our Hot Take: RAILS delivery staff worked harder than Taylor Swift this year. 🚚✨

RAILS offers training grants up to $2,000 for libraries, networking groups, or library consortia to support CE for member library staff. Learn more and apply by Monday, February 3, 2025 at railslibraries.org/grants/event.

Waukegan Public Library is excited and proud to share its original mural that has been one year in the making. Local artist Gabriela Escovar created a wonderful story of belonging and friendship in her work A Love Letter to Waukegan. Learn more at railslibraries.org/libraries/news…

Librarians are key players involved in fostering reading skills and attitudes. Join Dr. Joanna Christodoulou on January 28 at 10 a.m. via Zoom as they use insights from cognitive neuroscience to enhance our understanding of how children learn to read. ➡️ librarylearning.org/event/2025-01-…

2.5x as many people visit Illinois public libraries each year as attend Illinois collegiate and professional sports events combined. Not everyone can afford a ticket to a sports event, but anyone can enjoy a free trip to their local public library. ➡️ mylibraryis.org/talking-points

📣 Due to unforeseen circumstances, tomorrow’s RAILS Member Meetup at Paw Paw Public Library District is cancelled. We apologize for the inconvenience. We will try to reschedule the event after the holiday season.

Don’t miss it! The “Amanda Jones, ‘That Librarian’ and a Journey to Protect Intellectual Freedom” program recording is only available until Friday, December 27, 2024. ➡ Log in and access the recording at railslibraries.org/education/arch…

Everyone expects to be gifted a book from you this holiday season—but will they expect a t-shirt, mug, or tote? Check out the RAILS Threadless shop and spread the love of reading this holiday season! ➡️ railslibraries.threadless.com

The @rosellepld is moving forward with plans to construct a new library at 233 East Maple Avenue in Roselle, Illinois. ➡️ Read more at railslibraries.org/libraries/news….

New Director Announcement 📣✨ Heather Montilla is the new library director at Bellwood Public Library.

Join @AddisonPubLib Assistant Director Brooke Sievers on Monday, December 16 at 10 a.m. via Zoom to learn what actions the library has taken in response to lack of staff engagement. ➡ Log in and register at librarylearning.org/event/2024-12-…

Is it too late to turn our Thanksgiving plans into a Book Potato Party? 🥔✨ Pop episode three of Can’t Shelve This into your ears while you're cooking this week. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and more.

"This project also provided an opportunity for students to have time to take a mental break, refocus, express their creativity, and relax for a moment in the library with the makerspace and creativity corner activities." ➡️ Read more at mylibraryis.org/blog/875.

Fact: Public librarians in Illinois provided approximately 1.5 million hours of service in 2021. That’s 171 years’ worth of service to their communities. ➡ Learn more at mylibraryis.org/talking-points.

Looking for some support from your colleagues while working on your My Library Is... grant application? Join one of our virtual cowork sessions! Learn more and register at railslibraries.org/news/115063.

(Photo credit: Harris Theater; Chicago Symphony Orchestra)

Explore More Illinois is excited to welcome two new attractions: 🩰 The Harris Theater for Music and Dance 🎼 The Chicago Symphony Orchestra Access these discounts through your participating library at exploremore.quipugroup.net.