RSA created this page to list available networking groups in our service area. Please note these groups are organized by the participating libraries, not RSA. If you have questions about a group, please get in touch with the contact for that group within the link (may require L2/RAILS login)
Do you know of a networking group not listed here? Please contact the RSA Help Desk and tell us about it! We would be happy to add it to this page.
All RAILS networking groups (railslibraries.org)
Association of Rural Community Directors (railslibraries.org)
A Central IL group of rural directors of smallish libraries. We meet on the 3rd on the Wednesdays* at 10 a.m. nine months of the year, with summers focused on our reading programming. All library directors in the area are welcome to join us, share, and learn from one another. We have a Facebook group (Association of Rural Community Directors ARC) that we post meeting dates and locations at, as well as agenda items.
Central Illinois Regional Children’s Librarians (railslibraries.org)Â
Established in 2010, CIRCL is a continuing education support group for youth and teen librarians located in Central Illinois (about a 60 mi. radius from Peoria, IL). We share resources, and provide professional educational opportunities for librarians serving youth ages 0-18 and their families. A group for Young Adult Librarians was also started at this time to provide networking and support for those working within this specialty.
HOI Library Marketing Group (railslibraries.org)
The Heart of Illinois Library Marketing Group serves as a way to connect regional library staff who facilitate communications and marketing for their public libraries. Anyone who handles related responsibilities for their library is welcome to join. The purpose of the group is to provide opportunities for networking, problem solving, and resource sharing related to library marketing. The group meets quarterly at different member library locations to discuss relevant issues and trends, best practices, and communication tools. The group also has a Facebook group for collaboration and sharing.
Long Distance Libraries (railslibraries.org)
Abbreviation: LDL
This is a multi-type library networking group for librarians in the southwestern portion of RAILS. Member libraries host the quarterly meetings to share information and experiences and discuss issues and concerns.
Peoria Area Librarians (railslibraries.org)
This is a group of mostly public library directors in and around the Peoria region that meets to discuss topics of interest. PALS is a legacy group from the Alliance Library System.
Renegade Reference of West Central Illinois (railslibraries.org)
Renegade Reference of West Central Illinois is a networking group. We welcome anyone who plans programs, works a service desk, makes decisions about library technology, does readers’ advisory, manages a collection, etc., whether or not they work in a Reference department.
Rural Directors (railslibraries.org)
Rural Directors is a long established networking group of library directors in West Central Illinois. The group meets once a month at member libraries. Agendas include a previously chosen topic of interest and items of current importance.
Tri County Directors (railslibraries.org)
This group consists of small, rural libraries serving the McLean, Woodford, and Livingston counties in central Illinois. Member libraries are village, district, or municipal public libraries.