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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: February, 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.

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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