My Library Is... Conversation with Kimberly Shotick
Posted on June 15, 2022
My Library Is... Blog
If you have an idea for a My Library Is... blog post, send it to the RAILS Communications Team at communications@railslibraries.info.
My Library Is… A Community Hub to help each other while advocating for great causes
Posted on June 13, 2022
A story of how our library went from a list of resources and literature on our website, to host a 2-week humanitarian drive, a cultural program with 140 attendees, a display, and more. All for Ukraine.
My Library Is… Finding Hidden Gems for your Collection
Posted on June 2, 2022
Collection development is a craft, a skill that requires expertise, hard work, and insight about your collections and community. We seek out data about our community through information collected through the census, local government, schools, and community organizations.
Traveling Exhibit for Local Libraries
Posted on May 23, 2022
Voices of Belonging is an interactive exhibit, created as a collaboration between several entities at Northern Illinois University: Northern Public Radio, the Divisions of Outreach, Engagement and Regional Development and Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as well as various campus and community partners.
Libraries As Canva Power Users: Good Marketing Done In-House
Posted on May 13, 2022
The My Library Is… campaign is all about helping libraries do marketing and advocacy in new ways. And libraries aren't shy about discovering these new ways! Libraries are curious, creative places. Even though they might not have huge budgets to hire expensive graphic designers, videographers, etc., they constantly find a way to promote themselves and the programs and services they offer.
Interview with Hao Phan, Curator of the Southeast Asia Collection at Northern Illinois University Library
Posted on May 9, 2022
Northern Illinois University is a Carnegie 2 research institution tucked away in DeKalb. It has the distinction of being home to Illinois' only Center for Southeast Asia Studies. The Founders Memorial Library holds a distinctive collection of materials to support the work of the Center.
My Library Is... Finals Week Activities in the Library: Helping Our Students De-Stress
Posted on May 2, 2022
Study Week and Finals Week can be a hectic time for everyone on college and university campuses. At Illinois Institute of Technology’s Paul V. Galvin Library we remain open 24 hours a day for 12 days straight during this period.
12th Annual Edible Book Festival at Booth Library, Eastern Illinois University
Posted on April 25, 2022
Booth Library on the campus of Eastern Illinois University sponsored its 12th annual Edible Book Festival on April 4. It’s been a tradition to kick off National Library Week with this activity.
My Library Is... Conversation About Why School Libraries Matter
Posted on April 21, 2022
RAILS Member Engagement Manager Dan Bostrom talks with Andrea Perrin, Janine Asmus, Gail Meyer, & Robyn Whitlock about their letter published in the Chicago Tribune. These four Association of Illinois School Library Educators (AISLE) members discuss why school libraries are so important and what librarians can do to advocate for the profession.
Book Groups at the Lisle Library District
Posted on April 18, 2022
The Lisle Library District has a long history of offering a variety of book groups, including the Science Fiction & Fantasy book group which has been meeting monthly for over 30 years and still has a few founding members, while the Food for Thought culinary book group is new as of this January. Our groups also cover Fiction, Nonfiction, and Mystery titles.