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My Library Is... Blog

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My Library Is… The Heart of Our School!

Posted on May 3, 2023

My Library is…the heart of our school: a space for all students, staff and community members and filled with something for EVERYONE….readers, scientists, engineers, friends and so much more!

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Grayslake North High School Library Transforms into a Creative Resource Community

Posted on April 13, 2023

During the pandemic, my workspace in a public high school transformed from a traditional book-centric library to an innovative makerspace community called The Hub.

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My Library Is… The world’s largest paper snowflake

Posted on April 3, 2023

In March 2022, students at Northern Illinois University created the world’s largest paper snowflake. It is forty-four feet six inches across and has been certified by the Guinness Book of World Records! The NIU Libraries got in on the excitement with a special event in its honor.

Image credit: Jerseyville Public Library.

My Library Is ... Bringing "Senior Storytime" to Local Assisted Living Facilities

Posted on March 9, 2023

The Jerseyville Public Library has been presenting Preschool Storytime for as long back as most staff members can remember. It is a program presented once a month where children ages 2-6 can gather at the library and have a story read to them, sing and dance along to some fun tunes and use their little hands to make a special craft. The children enjoy it so much and have a great time.

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Reminder: Applications for My Library Is... Grants for School Libraries Due March 2

Posted on February 20, 2023

The application period for the My Library Is... Grants for School Libraries is open and runs through Thursday, March 2. In 2022, RAILS awarded $78,232.80 in My Library Is... Grants to 20 school libraries. These grants help recipients focus on projects that tell the library story and increase visibility and support for school libraries.

My Library Is... Conversation with Dawn Scuderi

My Library Is... Conversation with Dawn Scuderi

Posted on February 6, 2023

RAILS Member Engagement Manager Dan Bostrom talks with Dawn Scuderi from Summit Hill Junior High School in Frankfort, Illinois. Summit Hill was the recipient of a 2022 My Library Is... Grant for School Libraries.

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Celebrating Makerspace Success

Posted on January 26, 2023

Makerspaces in libraries are great. While makerspaces allow people to get creative and discover new ideas for projects, using the new equipment can be daunting for those who are unfamiliar with it. That’s why The Workshop Lab at Palatine Library District created an easy and accessible way to introduce members to the new space. 

Milner Library at Illinois State University

Tackling Textbook Affordability

Posted on January 3, 2023

When Illinois State University conducted a Textbook Affordability survey in the spring of 2019, it was clear there was a problem—one felt by institutions across the United States.

Objects printed at Illinois State University Milner Library

Sparking Creativity and Advancing Research with 3D Printing

Posted on December 29, 2022

3D printing was launched at Illinois State University’s Milner Library as part of our Make It Space initiative in the fall of 2018. Initial interest was strong, but our staff was flooded with requests after we moved the printer to a highly visible, publicly accessible space.

Someone wearing a sweatshirt that says "I like you, but if zombies chase us, I'm tripping you."

Making a Makerspace: A Library-Win Fable

Posted on December 26, 2022

Once upon a time, there was a library nestled amid farm fields in Central Illinois.  Now, this library was not big, but its patrons loved the library, and the library loved all the people that came to visit.  The kind people who ran the library wanted to do everything they could to provide materials and services to their patrons that could not be found elsewhere.