Realizing that the biography collection had some big gaps in representation while working with students was an inspiration for this RAILS grant. I wanted students to be able to see themselves in the collection of life stories and also be able to see outside their daily lives in Libertyville. This section of the collection is heavily used for independent reading book projects, particularly by sixth and seventh graders. Using Rudine Sims Bishop’s work “Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors” (1990) as a thought guide, I set out to create a more inclusive collection of biographies,...
17 August 2023
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7 August 2023
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In 2022 Illinois Institute of Technology established the Galvin Library Media Studio (GLaMS) with funds received from the On the Road to Recovery: Transforming Library Spaces grant offered through the Illinois State Library. The new studio provides the space and tools necessary for patrons to explore their creativity and curiosity when creating podcasts, videos or music for academic purposes or just for fun.
An office located on the upper level of the library was converted into the media studio and equipped with basic tools for video production, sound recording and editing and...
10 July 2023
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Joliet Public Library Unveils Youth Art Gallery Presented by Old National Bank
Joliet Public Library is pleased to announce the unveiling of the new Youth Art Gallery, presented by Old National Bank. The gallery space on the second floor of the Ottawa Street Branch will feature artwork from Joliet’s young artists from local area schools.
“One of our core values as an organization is to act as a child’s first pathway to discovering a larger world,” said Executive Director of the Joliet Public Library, Megan Millen. “We are excited about new partnerships...
5 July 2023
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Our library was created in 2020, after returning from COVID-19, as a newly formed, K-2, dual language center. Previously, we were K-6 English, mono-lingual. With much gratitude towards the support of RAILS and the My Library Is Grant, we are creating and living a new future for our deserving students.
As part of our re-organization, the entirety of our staff participated in GLAD training (Guided Language Acquisition Design). Our teachers were provided with materials to support the grade level units they designed. With the funds provided from the My Library Is Grant, I was able to...
21 June 2023
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We at the Gail Borden Public Library District are honored to be hosting Violins of Hope, ten lovingly restored violins played before or during the Holocaust.
This project showcases Jewish stories of resilience, resistance, and unity through the power of musical performance.
“Through hands-on experiences of performance, learning about their unique stories, and thinking into the future with the powerful knowledge of the ability of the human spirit to overcome hate and evil, we aspire to make a difference for all who experience this amazing project,” said Ilene Uhlmann,...
19 June 2023
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Joliet Public Library is excited to announce a new traveling exhibit will open on June 16. – The Questioneers: Read. Question. Think. PLAY! Based on the best-selling series of books by author Andrea Beaty and illustrator David Roberts, the imaginative world of Questioneers characters Ada Twist, Scientist; Rosie Revere, Engineer; Iggy Peck, Architect; Sofia Valdez, Future Prez, and Aaron Slater, Illustrator comes alive in a hands-on exhibition.
“Joliet Public Library is thrilled to host this exciting exhibit,” said Executive Director of the Joliet Public Library, Megan...
15 June 2023
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Fox River Grove Memorial Library is proud to offer a Sensory Storytime on the second Monday of every month at 10:30 a.m. The next Sensory Storytime takes place on Monday, June 12, 2023. This program differs from the Library’s regular storytimes in that enrollment is more limited; transitions are managed with verbal, visual, and audio cues; repetition and routine are incorporated more heavily with the environment controlled for comforting predictability; and there is an area within the space that allows participants to retreat without leaving the room. There is also an...
9 June 2023
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This year Glenside Middle School rolled out WeVideo accounts to all of our students. This was the first time that students had access to a full-feature video editing program on their Chromebooks. It wasn’t a perfect journey, but over the year almost all students could access the basic editing features and understand the concept of editing on the timeline with multiple tracks.
One of the best outcomes from this project was that our 5th grade STEM club created a video for the STEM Solutions Showcase for the Regional Office of Education and was one of seven winning videos that are...
7 June 2023
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As a Librarian, nothing is more frustrating than having students look at our shelves filled with thousands of books and say there is nothing they want to read. I wanted to leverage the RAILS My Library Is Grant to make my shelves more accessible and encourage reading throughout the John T. Pirie Fine Arts and Academic Center.
I began by heavily weeding the Everybody section of the Library. I wanted to make sure that the best of our books were not hidden between outdated and worn titles. Then, I purchased several book bins that would allow selected picture books to be front-facing to...
5 June 2023
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The Lisle Library District (LLD) was aglow from sunflowers and the LiteZilla on Saturday, April 22. After a year-long two-phased renovation, the Lisle Library District celebrated with a Grand Opening that attracted about 800 attendees, who enjoyed soft pretzels from Gnarly Knots and sunflower lollipops.
Sunflower growing kits were a hit and fit the theme of “Grow with us!” One lucky family even won a children’s book basket valued at $175, which was donated by Penworthy Publishers.
Enthusiasm was electric and palpable as LLD Director Tatiana Weinstein and Board President...
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The My Library Is ... campaign
is a project of the Reaching Across Illinois Library System.