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My Library Is... Blog

A library display of various students names written in Arabic.

My Library Is... Keeping It Real by Exploring Nonfiction Comics through the Lens of Diverse Women Creators

Posted on May 13, 2024

Thanks to the generosity of the RAILS My Library Is . . .  Grant, students at Oak Lawn Community High School have an opportunity to learn about the unique experiences and perspectives of women content creators from diverse backgrounds while also appreciating the significance of non-fiction comics as a form of storytelling and expression.  

Decorative image.

My Library Is... Reading Widely

Posted on May 6, 2024

We were lucky enough to be a recipient the 2023 My Library Is...

Mental health books available for students.

My Library Is... Supporting Mental Health

Posted on April 29, 2024

Like many educators, the COVID-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on my mental health. By February of 2021, I had a decision to make: remain in education or leave. I was dismayed with the state of public education and seriously considered leaving it all behind. But it wasn’t just educators. Students were suffering too. And I love my students.

Maker Backpack High Point School

My Library Is… Extending STEM Learning Outside of the Library!

Posted on April 8, 2024

Imagine giving your students the power to dive into the world of STEM wherever they go. Well, thanks to the RAILS “My Library Is…” grant money, our school library has launched the coolest initiative we've ever done - Maker Backpacks! Maker Backpacks are STEM kits that students can check out and utilize at home.

Book Giveaway Case

My Library Is... Giving Away Books

Posted on November 27, 2023

Like many libraries, the Paul V. Galvin Library at the Illinois Institute of Technology receives more donated books than can possibly be added to the collection. Many of the donated titles are fiction and while we do have a leisure reading collection, only a small fraction of the books are of interest to the library.

parent and toddler in front of LiteZilla

My Library Is... LiteZilla Lights Up Lisle Library District

Posted on October 16, 2023

In 2022, while undergoing a major two-phase renovation, the Lisle Library District (LLD) fundraised for a special feature in the Youth Services department: a LiteZilla. The wall installation is akin to a giant Lite Brite with larger pegs that are safe for all ages.

Niles North Renovation.

My Library Is… Designed for Its Users

Posted on October 9, 2023

During the 2022-23 school year, library staff were informed that both of the D219 high school libraries (Niles North and Niles West) would be undergoing significant overhauls. We knew that remodels were on the horizon as we hadn’t been updated in a very long time, but the timeline was earlier than anticipated.

Shelving with books in a school library

My Library Is… A Place We Can See Ourselves, Each Other, and the World

Posted on August 17, 2023

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.

Image credit: Nichole Novak.

My Library Is... GLaMorous

Posted on August 7, 2023

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.

Youth Art Wall Presented by Old National Bank

My Library Is... Showcasing Local Artwork

Posted on July 10, 2023

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.