(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) Due to a resignation from the RAILS Board, we have an opening for an at-large seat for a term ending on June 30, 2024. Any individual representing a RAILS academic, public, school, or specialized library is eligible to self-nominate for this seat by Wednesday, February 23, 2022, at 5:00 PM CDT….
Category: Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS)
Call for Posts Related to Academic Libraries: RAILS My Library Is … Blog (RAILS Membership Not Required)
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) The My Library Is … advisory group is looking for blog posts related to academic libraries. The blog, accessible here, is managed by RAILS, but you don’t have to be at a RAILS member library to participate. The post can be about a program or service, your library’s marketing or communications, or other…
Reminder: RAILS Seeking Member Feedback on E-News Content
(via Dan Bostrom, RAILS) The RAILS E-News is our main mode of communication with our members. It’s packed with information for all types and sizes of libraries, and for multiple levels of staff. We publish it weekly with news from RAILS, our member libraries, other library institutions, and the greater library world. We want to…
RAILS Offering Online Opportunities to Learn About Services It Provides Academic Libraries
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) Do you work at an academic library? Do you wonder what RAILS can do for you? We can answer that! December and January are great times to schedule a 30-minute Zoom call. Learn more about RAILS programs and services of specific interest to you and your library type, and…
Registration Open for RAILS “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Elements” Virtual Training Sessions (Dec. 3, 7, and 9)–Limited to Staff from RAILS Member Libraries
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) We invite RAILS members to participate in a series of three virtual equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) training events offered in December. These are part of the RAILS “Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Elements” series. Facilitated by staff from the American Library Association’s Office of Diversity, Literacy, and Outreach Services,…
Recording Available for Latest RAILS Sparks Podcast, on CARLI’s Open Textbooks Pilot Program Grant
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University, on behalf of RAILS) In our latest Sparks podcast, RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with CARLI (Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois) staff members Anne Craig (Senior Director) and Michele Leigh (Senior Coordinator, Open Illinois) about CARLI’s $1.08 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education’s Open Textbooks Pilot Program. The grant will…
Call for Participation: Virtual Town Halls on Future of RAILS (Nov. 15, 16, and 18)–Limited to Staff From RAILS Member Libraries
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) RAILS is developing a new strategic plan that will be based heavily on member feedback. Thanks to all who participated in our first round of town halls and provided input on potential strategic plan goals. There will be a second round in November, where we will invite more concrete ideas and ask members to…
Call for Members: RAILS DEI in Metadata Networking Group; Kick-Off Meeting Online Wed., Nov. 17 (1:00-2:30 PM)
(via Emily Gilbert, IACRL President) Would you like to be part of a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Metadata Networking Group? The group aims to foster the importance of a shared understanding to create and maintain more equitable, diverse, and inclusive metadata content. Read more about the group and sign up for the mailing…
Call for Participation: RAILS/IHLS My Library is … Marketing Campaign
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) Do you need help demonstrating the value of your library to different stakeholders? Want to know what to say to justify the need for continued or increased library funding or staffing? Would you like to attract new library users? Want advice on how to promote the library’s role in…
Registration Open for Upcoming Virtual Town Halls on Future of RAILS (Oct. and Nov.)
(via Gwen Gregory, Northern Illinois University) RAILS will rely heavily on member input as we develop our new strategic plan, and member contributions will greatly influence our final product. To hear from as many members as possible, we will hold two rounds of virtual town halls via Zoom in October and November, with four different…