RAILS Minute

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 💡 What we learned during conference season 📱 The new platform that will host eRead Illinois ⚖️ Library legislation we're keeping an eye on 🛒 The latest merch available in the RAILS Online store   Relevant Links: Can't Shelve This  (Live from AISLE Episode coming soon!) RAILS Catalyst eRead Illinois Transition RAILS Member Update...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's  RAILS Minute : 💰 Your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card 📚 How two million items were added to Find More Illinois 📍 What you can find with our new resource sharing map 📣 How you can support your library system   Relevant Links: L2 Signup Month Contest NIU Joins Find More Illinois New Resource Sharing Map RAILS Showcase 9/24  Subscribe to ...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 🎧 A new season of the Can't Shelve This podcast ✏️ A free, full-day of virtual learning for school library workers (PDH included!) 💙 Topics for the upcoming RAILS Member Update 📚 The millions of items available through Find More Illinois   Relevant Links: Can't Shelve This Season 2 Premiere Illinois School Library Workers Sympos...

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's  RAILS Minute : 💡 A new leadership program for all levels of library staff 📈 Our first-ever upcoming data conference 💰 The millions of dollars saved through RAILS Deals & Discounts   Relevant Links: RAILS Catalyst Libraries Count: RAILS Data Conference RAILS Deals & Discounts

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute : 🗳️ Results from the 2025 RAILS Board election 💰 Key updates on IMLS funding 🌐 A new digital equity opportunity for suburban Cook County libraries 📊 A spotlight on the impactful work from the RAILS data team Relevant Links: RAILS Board Election Results IMLS Advocacy Pulse Page ALA FAQ: Cancellation of the Digital Equity Act Gran...

Dan and Monica recap all the latest updates on the IMLS funding situation, including important news from the Illinois State Library about the upcoming fiscal year. They also chat about the exciting new rebrand of Explore More Illinois, the current RAILS Board Election, and RAILS grant programs. Relevant Links: IMLS Advocacy Pulse Page Chicago Tribune Article 6/3 EMI Information Session RAILS Board...

Dan and Monica provide updates about the dismantling of IMLS, sharing new resources, events, and talking points that members should know about. They also discuss the new 2024 RAILS Annual Report and highlight the continuing education opportunities available to library workers in Illinois. Relevant Links: Letter from Secretary Giannoulias Partnership Joint Statement IMLS Advocacy Pulse Page 4/23 Ad...

Dan and Monica address the news about President Trump's executive order affecting the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). At the state level, Monica covers four pieces of library-related legislation to keep an eye on. In RAILS news, they talk about the six open seats on the RAILS Board of Directors and our e-content service, eRead Illinois. Relevant Links: ALA's Show Up For Our Librar...

In news of a federal grant freeze, Dan and Monica explain how RAILS is funded. They also address the influx of legal questions from our members about immigration enforcement and First Amendment rights. Lastly, Monica emphasizes the importance of serving your community and highlights a resource that helps libraries catalog world language titles.   Relevant Links:   World Language Cataloging Servjce...

Dan and Monica recap what they learned at last week's AISLE Conference in Tinley Park. They also discuss RAILS news, including a public library trustee vacancy on the RAILS Board and the launch of our online store. Lastly, they promote an exciting deep discount for Udemy, available exclusively to RAILS members. Relevant Links: RAILS Public Library Trustee Seat Vacancy RAILS Online Store Udemy Disc...

Dan and Monica recap the successful ILA conference and announce the winner of our Canon Ivy Mini Photo Printer giveaway. They also discuss more opportunities to connect at the upcoming AISLE Conference and ILA Legislative Meetups. You'll learn about the topics that are planned for the next RAILS Member Update, how to buy some furniture from RAILS, and some exciting new developments with our interl...

Things are ramping up at RAILS this fall! Dan and Monica talk about the new Illinois Libraries: Agencies of Impact data study, the exciting premiere of our new podcast for school library workers, and more updates on the statewide e-resource package. Relevant links: Illinois Libraries: Agencies of Impact, a Data Study Can't Shelve This podcast Statewide E-Resource Package Trainings 9/4 RAILS Member...

It's all about learning and collaboration in this month's episode of RAILS Minute. Dan and Monica discuss upcoming networking opportunities for school library workers, promote the new round of RAILS Continuing Education Grants, and preview the next RAILS Member Update. Relevant Links: 9/5 Back to School Online Roundtable 2024 Illinois School Library Workers Symposium RAILS Continuing Education Eve...

Dan and Monica talk about the eagerly-anticipated statewide e-resource package, exciting new opportunities for library catalogers, and resources available for school librarians to remain in compliance with Public Act 103-0100 as they head back to school. Relevant Links: Statewide e-Resource Package Survey Illinois Cataloging Mentorship Program (iCAMP) RAILS Cataloging Services Public Act 103-0100...

Dan and Monica announce our newly-elected RAILS Board members, what libraries need to know in order to be in compliance with Title II, and how you might be interested in exploring our growing interlibrary loan platform, Find More Illinois. Relevant Links: 2024 RAILS Board candidate videos Digital Accessibility Pulse Page 6/6/24 RAILS Member Update recording Find More Illinois

Dan and Monica talk all things digital accessibility in this month's episode, including an overview of our new Pulse Page, a continuing education opportunity on June 12, and the rescheduled RAILS Member Update. Relevant Links: Digital Accessibility Pulse Page RAILS Member Update, June 6 The Modern eAccessibility Landscape Webinar, June 12

Dan and Monica discuss why you should vote in the upcoming RAILS Board election, where you can find us during the spring, and how we've expanded opportunities for the My Library Is... grants in 2024.  Monica also gives a brief update on library-related legislations in Illinois that would affect library treasurer bonds, threats to libraries, bid thresholds, and electronic resources. Relevant Links:...

This month, Dan and Monica highlight the successful launch of the School Library Advocacy through Education (SLATE) data dashboard and emphasize the value of the Freedom Lifted EDI course that is still available to RAILS members. Plus, Monica breaks down all you need to know about library-related legislation that's making its way through Illinois. Relevant Links: SLATE data dashboard March 20 SLAT...

In the first episode of 2024, Monica and Dan formally announce the new RAILS Director of Consulting and CE, the SLATE dashboard launch, and all the deadlines members should know about to ensure proper certification and delivery. Relevant Links: RAILS Member Update 2024 Certification Tutorial Delivery Contact Review

It's the final episode of 2023! Dan and Monica talk about all of the upcoming deadlines that members need to keep in mind during the holiday season, including the Paid Leave for All Workers Act, submitting comments for the draft Illinois State Digital Equity Plan, and making sure you're in compliance with Public Act 103-0100 when submitting your FY2024 Per Capita and Equalization Aid Grant. Thank...

RAILS Executive Director Monica Harris introduces our new Director of Marketing and Communications, Dan Bostrom! Together, they discuss what's on the agenda for the upcoming RAILS Member Update, a new EDI resource for members called Freedom Lifted, and the My Library Is... grant opportunity that is now available for all types of libraries. Links: RAILS Member Update My Library Is... Grants RAILS M...

Monica recaps the successful banned books week program that she participated in with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias and encourages members to submit their public comments on Public Act 103-0100 before the October 25 deadline. Dan and Monica also discuss the recent increase in library bomb threats and, in lighter news, some exciting new developments about statewide broadband access in Illinoi...

With Banned Books Week quickly approaching, Monica talks about the Book Challenges on the Rise program she'll be participating in with Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias. Dan and Monica also share highlights from the recent joint meeting between RAILS and IHLS at the Illinois State Library. Both systems are collaborating on some exciting events, including a school library data panel at the AISLE...