Posted on December 16, 2024
On Sunday, December 8 2024 the Chicago Tribune ran a story entitled “Schools pick local control over grants.” This article discussed how libraries must adopt the ALA Bill of Rights or an equivalent statement against blanket book bans or lose their eligibility for the IL state library per capita grant.
Posted on November 25, 2024
We set out to prove that “My Library Is …” a welcoming place for students who read in all languages. Thanks to a generous RAILS grant, the Library Media Center at Vernon Hills High School has been very successful in making this statement feel true to our multilingual students, as well as the whole school community.
Posted on November 1, 2024
RAILS is excited to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2025 My Library Is… Grants. These grants are designed to help libraries tell their story and are open to ALL types of RAILS member libraries (academic, public, school, and specialized).
Posted on October 25, 2024
The Downers Grove Public Library (DGPL) Summer Reading Club (SRC) is an annual, cornerstone program that promotes literacy, community engagement, and lifelong learning for all ages.
Posted on October 14, 2024
On October 2, 2024, Green Hills Public Library District launched its latest initiative – a podcast! Entitled Checked Out, this monthly podcast dives into discussions about film, television, music, video games, and of course – books.
Posted on August 23, 2024
My library received a My Library Is... Grant to purchase signage and more display carts for our outdated library space. We also purchased book stands, mobile book display carts, a new felt bulletin board for the wall, new Cricut paper, and sign holders. This grant was vital as most of our library budget is spent on databases, with minimal funds leftover for books and other materials.
Posted on July 26, 2024
My Library Is... Cooking was a grant to purchase updated cookbooks for our library. Our library’s cookbook selection was unappealing and outdated, and this grant allowed me to purchase a whole new set of cookbooks based on input from both staff and students.
Posted on July 22, 2024
As we all know libraries have changed over the years, from e-books, chromebooks, and maker spaces to adding STEAM, reading nests, Lego and Lite Brite walls and so much more. However, one passion of mine has always been to keep real books in the hands of the students.
Posted on July 15, 2024
The Macomb High School library was honored to receive the My Library Is... Grant in the amount of $5,000. This grant is sponsored by the RAILS Library System and promotes collaborative projects between libraries and their community.
Posted on July 11, 2024
My school is bilingual. And my library was too . . . sort of. Thanks to the RAILS My Library Is… Grant money, I can now say with confidence that the library is a bilingual space that serves all of our students.