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Sparks - the RAILS Podcast

Sparks is a monthly podcast that features interviews with RAILS members and other leaders in the library/related fields. We intend to spark conversation, comment, and debate about current trends and issues affecting all types of libraries. The Reaching Across Illinois Library System provides support services to about 1300 library institutions -- academic, public, school, and special -- in northern and western Illinois.
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Now displaying: 2021

Sparks is a monthly podcast that features interviews with RAILS members and other leaders in the library/related fields. We intend to spark conversation, comment, and debate about current trends and issues affecting all types of libraries. The Reaching Across Illinois Library System provides support services to about 1300 library institutions -- academic, public, school, and special -- in northern and western Illinois.

Nov 16, 2021

 

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 fund a program that will provide access to open textbooks and personalized learning tools for entry-level courses in high-demand health care and human development career paths.

Please note: We had some technical issues with Deirdre’s microphone, but the content is worth sticking with it!

Relevant Link:

https://www.carli.illinois.edu/products-services/collections-management/IllinoisSCOERs

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com

Sep 15, 2021

RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Heather Perhach (CUSD #5 in Streator), Andrea Perrin (CCSD #50 in Gurnee), and Emily Porter (CCSD #299 in Chicago), who have all received My Library Is… grants for their school libraries. Each is working on projects that focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

https://www.railslibraries.info/services/my-library-grants

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com

Jul 30, 2021

RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Carmen Patlan, Executive Director of Highwood Public Library, about winning the 2021 National Medal for Museum and Library Service. This podcast provides an excellent example of what a small library with very limited resources can do to make a real difference in the community through grants, partnerships, and volunteers. 

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com

Relevant Links:

  • Waukegan Public Library website
    https://www.waukeganpl.org/
  • Highwood Public Library Recognized as a 2021 Recipient of Nation’s Highest Museum and Library Honor
    Press Release, May 18, 2021
    https://highwoodlibrary.org/wp-content/uploads/Highwood-Public-Library_2021-National-Medal-Press-Release.pdf
  • National Medal 2021 Virtual Ceremony
    August 24, 2021 at 4 p.m. ET (3 p.m. CDT)
    https://www.imls.gov/events/national-medal-museum-and-library-service-2021-virtual-ceremony
Jun 1, 2021

RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Durand CUSD #322 school librarian Audra Hill and Kelly Giovanine, Executive Director of Durand Charm, a local non-profit, about their My Library Is… grant project to promote the combined school and public library. Many in the community are not even aware that they have a library.

Durand Charm: https://durandcharm.com
Durand CUSD Grant Application Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oOJ3ycziilo

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com

Apr 27, 2021

RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with representatives from Gerber/Hart Library & Archives about their journey to create an eight-episode podcast on the personal stories of LGBTQ life and history in Chicago. 

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com

Mar 16, 2021

RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Fox River Grove Public Library District Director Nicole Steeves about the videos her library made after being awarded a My Library Is... Grant. Nicole talks about how their videos came together and she provides great, specific tips for libraries that want to do something similar. Their videos can be found in the Sharing Showcase of the My Library Is... website.

Relevant Links -

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens: https://himissjulie.com

Feb 11, 2021

RAILS Executive Director Deirdre Brennan talks with Executive Director Kathleen Helsabeck and Assistant Director & Marketing Coordinator Burgundy Hill from Quincy Public Library, about how they worked with library users to tackle budget cuts to the library. Using simple, low-cost methods to make their case with the city council, Quincy Public Library came out victorious. This is a wonderful story about the importance of advocating for your library.

Relevant Links:

  • Quincy Public Library - https://www.quincylibrary.org/
  • My Library Is... blog post about the videos of community members speaking up for the library at city council meetings - https://www.mylibraryis.org/blog/how-quincy-public-library-used-videos-show-their-community-support

QPL Community Videos:

  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/378 (Patron talks about the value she receives from Quincy Public Library programs)
  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/377 (Patron talks about QPL's value for genealogy research)
  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/376 (Quincy Public Schools staff member describes the benefits QPL provides to schools and children)
  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/375 (Community leader talks about the value of a strong library to the community and to her personally)
  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/374 (Teens tell about the value of QPL to the teens in our community)
  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/373 (Patron describes the impact of a library for her family and her community)
  • https://www.mylibraryis.org/showcase/videos/372 (Patron describes how QPL has changed her family's life)

Intro/Outro music by Julie Jurgens, https://himissjulie.com

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