RAILS Minute

October 29, 2025

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 💡 What we learned during conference season 📱 The new platform that will host eRead Illinois ⚖️ Library legislation we're keeping an eye on 🛒 The latest merch available in the RAILS Online store Relevant Links: Can't Shelve This [https://railslibraries.org/podcast-cst] (Live from AISLE Episode coming soon!) RAILS Catalyst [https://railslibraries.org/education/catalyst] eRead Illinois Transition [https://ereadillinois.com/transition] RAILS Member Update 11/12 [https://librarylearning.org/event/2025-11-12/rails-member-update] ILA Legislative Meetups [https://www.ila.org/events/legislative-meetups] ILA's 2026 Legislative Agenda [https://www.ila.org/advocacy/legislative-issues/illinois-legislative-issues] iLead Trustee Training [https://www.ileadtrustee.org/ilead-trustee/] RAILS Online Store [https://railslibraries.threadless.com/] Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Email RAILS Communications [communications@railslibraries.org] at communications@railslibraries.org [communications@railslibraries.org]

September 17, 2025

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 💰 Your chance to win a $100 Visa gift card 📚 How two million items were added to Find More Illinois 📍 What you can find with our new resource sharing map 📣 How you can support your library system Relevant Links: L2 Signup Month Contest [https://railslibraries.org/news/122828] NIU Joins Find More Illinois [https://railslibraries.org/news/122831] New Resource Sharing Map [https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/fa49cef52b7b41fa9c5c0db3c798ff92?org=RAILSlibraries] RAILS Showcase 9/24 [https://librarylearning.org/event/2025-09-24/rails-showcase-resource-sharing-map] Subscribe to RAILS E-News [https://railslibraries.us1.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=2c51285b8d63e23716bce030f&id=e4effd516c] Follow RAILS on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/railslibraries], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/railslibraries/], and LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/railslibraries] Illinois Library Association [https://ila.org/] American Library Association [https://www.ala.org/] Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Email RAILS Communications. [communications@railslibraries.org]

August 20, 2025

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 🎧 A new season of the Can't Shelve This podcast ✏️ A free, full-day of virtual learning for school library workers (PDH included!) 💙 Topics for the upcoming RAILS Member Update 📚 The millions of items available through Find More Illinois Relevant Links: Can't Shelve This Season 2 Premiere [https://railslibraries.org/news/122048] Illinois School Library Workers Symposium 9/17 [https://librarylearning.org/event/2025-09-17/illinois-school-library-workers-symposium] RAILS Member Update 9/10 [https://librarylearning.org/event/2025-09-10/rails-member-update] Illinois House Bill 1910 [https://www.ilga.gov/Legislation/BillStatus?DocNum=1910&GAID=18&DocTypeID=HB] Find More Illinois [https://www.findmoreillinois.org/] Have a question or topic you want us to cover? Email RAILS Communications. [communications@railslibraries.org]

July 23, 2025

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 💡 A new leadership program for all levels of library staff 📈 Our first-ever upcoming data conference 💰 The millions of dollars saved through RAILS Deals & Discounts Relevant Links: RAILS Catalyst [https://railslibraries.org/education/catalyst] Libraries Count: RAILS Data Conference [https://www.ila.org/events/annual-conference/libraries-count] RAILS Deals & Discounts [https://railslibraries.org/deals]

June 25, 2025

Dan and Monica break down the latest in this month's RAILS Minute: 🗳️ Results from the 2025 RAILS Board election 💰 Key updates on IMLS funding 🌐 A new digital equity opportunity for suburban Cook County libraries 📊 A spotlight on the impactful work from the RAILS data team Relevant Links: RAILS Board Election Results [https://railslibraries.org/news/121401] IMLS Advocacy Pulse Page [https://railslibraries.org/imls-advocacy] ALA FAQ: Cancellation of the Digital Equity Act Grant Programs [https://www.ala.org/advocacy/broadband/digital-equity-resources/DEA-FAQ] Little v. Llano County [https://www.aclu.org/cases/little-v-llano-county] IMLS Stories [https://www.mylibraryis.org/blog?search=IMLS+Stories] RAILS & Cook County Partner on Digital Navigator Network Program [https://railslibraries.org/news/121259] SLATE Dashboard [https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/janette.derucki7316/viz/SLATEDataDashboard/SLDPDashboard-LandingPage] Illinois Libraries: Agencies of Impact [https://www.mylibraryis.org/talking-points]