Making Libraries Stronger Together

While library visitors are enjoying everything their library has to offer - whether it be at a school, a public library, or at a workplace library - there are “behind the scenes” activities going on that the typical library user may not be aware of. In addition to the work that a library does to make its collections, programs, and other offerings available, there is an Illinois library system working to support libraries by fostering the sharing of resources among all types of libraries.

RAILS, the Reaching Across Illinois Library System, is one of two multi-type library systems in Illinois – meaning the organization is made up of academic, public, private, and school libraries.

Illinois libraries are “Stronger Together” because library systems are working hand in hand with libraries throughout the state. Among the services offered, RAILS provides delivery service between libraries so you can borrow books from other libraries, supports shared online library catalogs, offers continuing education classes for library staff, saves libraries money with special offers and programs, and assists patrons who cannot read standard print material with a “talking book” program.

If you would like to know more about how RAILS serves libraries and read some highlights of what the organization did in 2015, see the RAILS Year in Review for 2015 at: https://www.railslibraries.info/2015.

RAILS serves more than 1,300 academic, public, school, and special library members in northern and western Illinois. See www.railslibraries.info for more information.